The knees require strength, flexibility and stability to work properly. The muscles, bones, tendons, ligaments and cartilages of the knee work together to provide the ability to walk, bend, jump, stand and turn. Many conditions, disease processes and injuries cause stiffness in the knees. Some occurrences are acute onset, while other causes are chronic.
Knee Bursitis
Bursitis is the swelling, pain and inflammation of a bursa, a fluid-filled sac that absorbs the shock of movement between a tendon and a bone. An injury to the bursa causes the sac to fill with too much fluid. Knee bursitis occurs when the bursa in and around the kneecap becomes inflamed, according to PDRhealth.
Causes of knee bursitis include extended periods of kneeling, direct injury to the knee, infection in the knee and rheumatoid arthritis. Symptoms include stiffness in the knee joint, pain upon movement or touch, redness around the knee and swelling on the kneecap. Treatment includes rest, ice, compression wrap and elevating the knee to reduce swelling. Medications include antibiotics, if an infection is present, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication to reduce swelling and pain.
Knee Arthritis
The knee joint is susceptible to three types of arthritis: osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and post-traumatic arthritis, reports the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Osteoarthritis, the most common form of knee arthritis, is a degenerative disease that slowly wears away the cartilage. Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system attacks the membrane that lines the joints. Post-traumatic arthritis is a type of arthritis that occurs as a result of an injury to the knee.
Symptoms of all three types of knee arthritis include pain, joint stiffness and swelling, according to the AAOS. Arthritic pain usually develops slowly, and it may vary from mild to intense, depending on the type of activity. Conservative treatments include physical therapy, weight loss, avoiding running or jumping, using a cane or knee brace and heat or ice for comfort.
Meniscal Tear
The meniscus is the C-shaped cartilage in the knee joint that also absorbs shock between the bones, lubricates the joint and limits the movement of the joint, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. A meniscal tear occurs when the knee is flexed or twisted beyond the normal range of motion. Symptoms include knee joint pain that worsens with gentle pressure on the joint and recurrent locking of the joint.
Treatment goals include reduction of symptoms and protecting the joint during the healing process. Ice to reduce swelling and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce swelling and pain are treatments also noted by UMMC.
