The Top 8 Causes of Knee Pain & How to Treat Them

Knee problems are common among our elderly population. It is a painful condition that severely impacts their regular lives. It is an issue that seems complicated to go by on its own. Research suggests that knee problems can result due to some injuries. If you experience knee pain, it can seriously compromise your activity and make it problematic for you to move around conveniently. Knee pain can make it hard to perform smaller, day-to-day tasks.

To avail treatment for your knee pain, you need to know about the underlying causes of such pain.

Here are the top 8 causes of knee pain and their appropriate treatment measures.

Osteoarthritis:

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition caused by the erosion of the cartilage and the bone structure in the knee joint. Often referred to simply as arthritis, its characterized by swelling, stiffness, and pain in the joint. Unless treatment is availed at the appropriate time, the joint can become structurally deformed.

The patient may not even respond to the treatment. Factors that may lead to osteoarthritis include advanced age, trauma, repetitive injuries such as sports injuries, or genetics. Osteoarthritis can be treated with medications like NSAIDs, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, physical therapy, occupational therapy, cortisone injections, lubrication injections, and surgeries like joint replacement and realigning of bones.

Rheumatoid Arthritis:

Rheumatoid Arthritis or RA is an “autoimmune disease” wherein the body cells attack themselves, and the joints suffer from it. Swelling, pain, and loss of mobility are some of the symptoms of it. There is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis. However, the condition can be kept under control by using disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) as well as biological treatments, JAK inhibitors, NSAIDs, painkillers, steroids, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, podiatry, and surgical procedures like arthroscopy and arthroplasty or joint replacement.

Cartilage or Ligament Tearing:

A ligament tear or a torn meniscus is often evident in athletes, characterized by instability and pain in the knee. Such tears are repaired by surgery.

Bursitis:

Bursitis is a temporary painful condition that occurs when there is irritation or swelling of the bursa. Medication with home remedies, injections, and physical therapy can help in healing bursitis. Surgery is a rare option.
Sprain or Strain

A strain or a sprain is a painful condition, but it is not that severe. They are minor injuries caused by slight trauma or overuse. The sprains and strains are usually healed by resting , ice, compression, elevation( RICE ) as well physiotherapy.

Trauma:

Trauma is said to have occurred when a person experiences a fall or something like a car accident. Sometimes, the pain can be managed by rest. At other times, surgery may become necessary for treatment.