Knee pain

Pain in the knee joint is one of the most common unpleasant sensations that every person has experienced at least once.The progression of diseases that can cause pain is due to the fact that the human knee is made up of numerous structures and every day they are all subjected to enormous loads.The damage may affect one of the ligaments or tendons or specific sacs that fill with fluid, as well as cartilage tissue.This symptom can be a signal of diseases not only related to the knee, but also general diseases of the body or systems.

It is also necessary to distinguish during movements in which pain occurs, for example, pain in the knee when bending is characteristic of people leading an active lifestyle and often indicates a violation of the structure of the joints and bones.Such spasms appear especially in the later stages of the disease, when treatment with surgery is inevitable.Knees often hurt and crack when squatting, this may indicate that the cartilage tissue is worn out (mainly observed in athletes due to constant running).Pain inside occurs due to various pathologies of the joint or the appearance of neoplasms.The appearance of pain after childbirth is due to the fact that during pregnancy the female body has undergone numerous changes, due to which some diseases may develop.

It is important to determine why pain in the knee joint is expressed, because some diseases can be cured only with the help of surgical intervention, and for some it will be enough to use traditional medicine.

Etiology

As mentioned above, there are many reasons why knees hurt, and they are not always directly related to injuries, diseases and bruises of the knee joint.The first group of factors consists of disorders that directly affect the knee joint, including:

• Gonarthrosis is a disorder that most often affects people over the age of forty.The condition usually affects both knees.The main symptom is pain and crunching when extending and squatting.The spasms are sharp and sharp.The intensity level decreases when lying down;
• blood entering the joint cavity;
• Damage to the meniscus can occur at any age, regardless of gender.Often only one knee is affected.This disease is characterized by loud crunching and pain in the knee when bending or after running.Furthermore, the person loses the ability to move because he feels unbearable pain at the slightest movement of the leg;
• arthritis - the disorder develops very quickly, the inflammatory process spreads to the knee joints of both legs.It is better to start treatment as soon as possible, as the disease spreads to other joints;
• violation of the integrity of the ligaments due to a rupture, most often the internal ligament is susceptible to this, much less common on the lateral ligament.In this case swelling and limitation of motor functions are observed;
• various inflammations of the tendons - the appearance of which has many causes, for example infectious diseases or influence of bacteria, injuries or bruises, drug allergies or abnormalities in the structure of the body.With such disorders, knee pain is expressed internally;
• displacement or luxation of the patella - occurs very rarely and especially in children or athletes, after intense physical exercise or running;
• inflammatory process in the joint capsule.If treatment is not carried out in a timely manner, complications may arise which will only need to be treated with medical intervention;
• pathological processes in the synovial membrane covering the joint;
• the appearance of a cyst inside the knee joint leads to pain behind the knee;
• destruction of the integrity of the adipose tissue covering the joint.Externally this manifests itself in the form of swelling of the injured knee;
• osteoarthritis, in which cartilage tissue becomes thinner;
• various infectious diseases, the course of which can lead to arthritis.Knee pain occurs when walking and after squats;
• bone tuberculosis;
• spinal pathologies cause the feeling that the knee hurts when walking;
• Metabolic disorders or salt deposits in the knee often cause knee pain when squatting.

The second group of reasons consists of other factors that cause pain in the knee joint:

• excessively high body weight;
• external injuries or bruises of the knee joint;
• working conditions that require a person to stand for several consecutive hours;
• intense physical activity: this is why this disorder is observed more often in professional athletes, for example after running;
• incorrect posture while working;
• wearing uncomfortable high-heeled shoes.

There are several reasons why a woman's knees hurt during pregnancy:

• increased body weight (in some cases up to twenty kilograms);
• lack of calcium and other minerals in the body;
• the production of a specific hormone that softens the ligament tissue.

After giving birth, all unpleasant sensations should disappear on their own, but if this does not happen, you should consult a doctor, as this may be a sign of the diseases described above.After giving birth, a woman may experience pain in her knees when squatting, standing, and straightening.This is caused by the following reasons:

• intense muscular work during childbirth;
• a sudden, involuntary movement during the birth of a baby can cause dislocation;
• if a woman before giving birth had various disorders of the musculoskeletal system;
• When breastfeeding a baby, fluid accumulates in the female body, which has a harmful effect on the joints, which is why pain is felt when standing up and straightening the knees.

Symptoms

In addition to pronounced signs - pain of varying intensity and crunching when squatting, this manifestation has additional symptoms characteristic of the disease that cause pain in the knee when walking or other leg movements:

• sleep disorders;
• increased body temperature;
• decreased or complete lack of appetite;
• stiffness of movements;
• increased pain when walking.A notable improvement is noted in the sitting or lying position;
• noticeable swelling of the injured knee - can be observed from the inside;
• inability to shift weight on the affected limb;
• deformation of the kneecap;
• change in skin color on the knee;
• fever.

When the first signs appear, you should immediately contact a medical facility for diagnosis and effective treatment.

Diagnostics

Since many disorders are caused by knee pain when walking, after running, when squatting and standing, the diagnosis should consist of:

• a detailed investigation of the patient regarding the appearance of the first symptoms, the intensity of pain, the location of its appearance (from outside or inside), possible causes (for example, when walking, after running or childbirth), which causes pain;
• palpation of the knee by the attending physician to find out a more complete picture of the localization of pain, as well as to identify swelling;
• analysis of the patient's blood for general and biochemical studies;
• x-ray - in which any pathologies in the structure of the knee will be clearly visible;
• fluid collection by puncture - carried out if the attending physician suspects bone tuberculosis;
• puncture of fluid from the knee joint;
• arthroscopy - performed in case of injury to the meniscus, which causes pain in the knee inside.This method is performed not only for diagnosis, but also during treatment;
• bone tissue density measurements;
• Ultrasound of the knee;
• patient examinations using magnetic resonance imaging and CT.

Treatment

There is no one way to cure all diseases and disorders.The treatment method for each patient is prescribed individually and depends on the cause and degree of intensity of spasms, whether the knee hurts when walking, after running, when squatting or standing.Treatment methods prescribed to all patients without exception, including postpartum women:

• reduce the load on the lower limbs so that not the slightest symptom occurs;
• apply a fixing bandage to the damaged knee;
• warm the knee with ointments or warming compresses.As prescribed by your doctor, use cold compresses, but no more than fifteen minutes a day;
• anti-inflammatory drugs.

If necessary, treatment is carried out with surgery.

In addition, there are folk remedies that can reduce symptoms, but they can only be used after consulting a doctor.Such pain treatments include:

• iodine mesh;
• compress from your own urine;
• a mixture of raw potatoes with kerosene;
• lotions made from apple cider vinegar mixed with egg yolk;
• ointment made from mashed potatoes with horseradish;
• onion compress, for this it is necessary to cut it in half and apply half of it on the external and internal sides of the knee;
• a solution of cologne and dandelion;
• tinctures of elecampane root and alcohol;
• compress based on black elderberry, chamomile and pine;
• calendula lotion;
• a mixture of mustard and honey.

Folk remedies are not recommended for use by women during pregnancy and after childbirth, when the baby is breastfeeding.

Prevention

To avoid knee pain when walking, after running or squatting, you need:

• adhere to a healthy lifestyle;
• always observe your posture;
• maintain normal body weight;
• warm up your muscles before training to avoid knee spasms after running and exercise;
• wear only comfortable shoes;
• timely treat all diseases that can lead to this disorder;
• undergo a preventive examination at the clinic several times a year;
• perform gymnastics if a person's lifestyle or working conditions are in a standing or sitting position;
• avoid hypothermia;
• At the first symptoms, especially after giving birth or running, consult a doctor.