While walking downhill is usually tolerated well by healthy people, overuse or deformity may cause damage to the cartilage under the kneecap, called the patella. Because the exact cause of knee pain can be difficult to pinpoint, you should seek a...
Arthritis, or osteoarthritis, is the wear-and-tear breakdown of cartilage in joints. In the knees specifically, cartilage breakdown results in bone-on-bone rubbing, which forms bone spurs, or humps of bone. Bone spurs rub together and cause pain,...
Cross country often is perceived as the toughest kind of long-distance racing. With brutal hills, sharp changes in direction and surfaces ranging from soft grass to deep mud, it's a test not only of fitness but also of guts. Accordingly, training...
The knee is placed under a great deal of stress during exercise, especially weight-bearing exercises. When the cartilage or menisci within your knee is damaged, you may experience grinding between your bones. Treatment includes rest, ice and...
The knee joint functions to provide stability and mobility. Within the joint are two pads attached by ligaments to the surface of the tibia bone called meniscus. They provide for smoothness and tracking of the femur bone during movement of the...
Knee injuries are among the most common maladies that can set your running back. Given that you strike the ground close to 1,000 times per mile with each leg, it's not surprising that your knees are susceptible to a variety of woes involving...
Degeneration of joint or muscle tissue, an accident or a sports injury can all cause severe damage to the knee. For those who proceed with a knee replacement, it is usually due in part to a lack of proper or timely treatment or to continued...
Knee arthritis, or osteoarthritis, is the breakdown of cartilage in one or both of your knees. Cartilage acts as a shock absorber for your knee joint and prevents bones in your knee from rubbing against each other when you walk or perform other...
The knee is one of the most complex in the body. Motions that occur at the foot, ankle and lower leg transmit forces through the knee to the thigh, hip, pelvis and spine. If abnormal forces occur in this chain, they are often absorbed by the knee,...
As you age, your cartilage, or connective tissue, is at risk. Osteoarthritis is a common disease that affects joints and cartilage, including knee cartilage. A study reported in the November 2005 issue of "Arthritis and Rheumatism" revealed...
The kneecap protects the inner knee from trauma. The kneecap sits if front of the ends of the tibia and femur and slides in the patellofemoral groove during walking and knee bending. The cartilage under your kneecap, or patella, is a natural shock...
Knee arthritis occurs because cartilage breaks down over time due to wear and tear on the knee joint. Healthy cartilage acts as a shock absorber for the knee joint and prevents bones in the knee from rubbing against each other during physical...
Knee replacement is an elective surgical solution an orthopedic surgeon recommends to relieve chronic damage to the knee joint and associated pain that limits mobility. Knee replacement or knee arthroplasty surgery replaces severely damaged...
Bicycling is less stressful on the ankles, knees and other joints in the lower body than running. But injuries to the knee can still occur, particularly if your bike isn't fitted to your body. Pain on the outside of your knee is probably related...
Owing a loan shark a lot of money is not the only way to severely mess up your knees. A number of sports and activities can also result in major knee injuries. One way to stave off those injuries and save your knees is with a pair of knee pads.
Chondromalacia patella, also called patellofemoral pain syndrome, leads to a dull and aching pain in the front of your knee. The pain is sometimes accompanied by a grinding sensation as you extend your knee. Your knee will feel worse when you...
As some of the body's largest joints, supporting much of your body weight, your knees are particularly prone to damage. Certain health conditions or repetitive movements from work or sports and injuries can lead to knee pain. Some causes of knee...
Knee pain associated with running and walking on a treadmill could be caused by overuse, runner's knee, damage to the cartilage in your kneecap, iliotibial band syndrome or patellar tendinitis. No matter what the cause of knee pain, taking certain...
Knee injuries and sports are a tough mix. While many advances have been made in surgical techniques over the past 50 years, most athletes cannot perform at the same level after knee surgery as they could before the procedure. This is also true...
The combination of stick use, intense physical contact, quick skating and flying pucks leads to a large number of hockey-related injuries -- including your knees. In fact, the British Columbia Injury Research and Prevention Unit indicates that 31...
Leg pain can occur with a wide variety of medical conditions and disorders. The characteristics of the pain, the relationship of the pain to trauma or repetitive use, and associated signs and symptoms provide important clues regarding the possible...
Many cyclists are quite passionate about their sport, and they spend a lot of time in the saddle. Unfortunately, this dedication can lead to overuse injuries, such as biking knee pain. Weak muscles and tight tendons may cause knee pain, although...
Knee surgery is a broad term that covers a variety of procedures designed to identify or repair damage to various parts of your knee joint. Depending on your circumstances, these procedures can have either major or minor effects on your knee...
Arthroscopic knee surgery is a procedure in which a surgeon inserts a small device into your knee to help repair damage to the cartilage or other structures in your joint. Knee arthroscopy often involves the repair of torn cartilage or the removal...
Proper safety equipment is a vital part of sports such as skateboarding and inline skating. Knee and elbow pads help prevent painful or disabling injury. Despite this, not everyone uses proper protective equipment. For instance, a study in the...
A hyperextended knee occurs when excessive pressure forces your knee past it's normal straightened position and bends your knee backward. Hyperextension can damage the ligaments and cartilage in your knee resulting in weak stability of the joint....
When you are suffering from patellar instability, you may experience discomfort or pain to the knee joint with movement. Patellar instability is a symptom of knee disorders such as chondromalacia, tendinitis and patellar tracking disorder....
If you experience knee pain when you exercise, the problem could stem from a wide variety of issues. The knee is a complex joint, and pain can be a result of arthritis, cartilage damage, wearing away of the knee cap, tears in the ligaments and...
The knee is a hinge joint where the tibia and femur meet. The back of the kneecap and the ends of the tibia and femur are protected by articular cartilage. There are also pads of cartilage --- meniscus --- that form cushions that act as shock...
