Knee joint pain can temporarily or chronically disable the sufferer. Knee pain commonly interferes with walking, sitting and climbing stairs, thereby limiting the ability to conduct the tasks of everyday living. Persistent or severe knee joint pain requires medical evaluation to determine the underlying cause and appropriate course of therapy.
Causes
Damage or inflammation affecting the cartilage, tendons, ligaments or bones of the knee joint can give rise to localized pain. Trauma, such as a blow to the knee or a fall, proves a frequent cause of acute knee joint pain. Common traumatic knee injuries include ligament and cartilage tears and knee contusions, or bruises. Tears of the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments are common sports-related injuries, notes the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
Overuse injuries of the knee joint commonly occur among patients who regularly participate in athletic activities. These injuries often present with gradually progressive pain. Patellar tendinitis and pes anserine bursitis are two types of overuse injuries that frequently cause knee joint pain. Long-term wear on the knee joint commonly leads to osteoarthritis of the knee, characterized by joint pain, stiffness and swelling.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of the cause of knee joint pain begins with the history of the ailment, including when the pain started, whether an injury took place and factors that aggravate or alleviate the pain. During a physical examination, the doctor will check for obvious deformities, swelling, bruising, range of motion, strength and stability of the joint.
Imaging tests, such as an x-ray or MRI, often aid in diagnosis, reports the National Library of Medicine encyclopedia MedlinePlus. In some cases, the doctor may insert a needle into the knee to withdraw a small amount of joint fluid for laboratory testing. Blood tests may also prove useful to confirm or rule out certain causes of knee joint pain.
Treatment
Treatment for knee joint pain varies, depending on the underlying cause. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, ketoprofen or naproxen, often help relieve minor to moderate knee joint pain. An anti-inflammatory medication injected near the affected knee joint structure may prove useful for tendinitis or bursitis, reports the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Rest, physical therapy and strengthening exercises are included in the treatment plan for many types of knee joint disorders. For some patients, surgery proves the best option for correction of the condition and restoration of joint function.
Risk Factors
Risk factors may contribute to certain causes of knee joint pain. Obesity, for example, is a risk factor for the development of knee bursitis and osteoarthritis, reports the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Poor flexibility and weakness of the muscles surrounding the knee may contribute to knee ligament injuries, notes the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Prevention
Proper conditioning and training techniques, and use of appropriate athletic gear and shoes may help decrease the risk for certain sports-related causes of knee joint pain. Maintaining a healthy weight and participating in regular physical activity also help keep the knees healthy.
References
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Common Knee Injuries
- MedlinePlus: Knee pain
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases: Bursitis and Tendinitis
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Frequently Asked Questions about Osteoarthritis of the Knee
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Knee Tendon Bursitis
