Looking for Knee Pain Relief?
The knee joint consists of bone, cartilage, ligaments and fluid, and it moves with the help of supporting muscles and tendons. When any of these structures are damaged, you are likely to experience knee pain or dysfunction in the knee. This type of pain is typically the result of injuries, overuse and arthritis, and the likelihood of knee issues increases as we age due to degeneration of the knee joint. Here are a number of different knee pain relief strategies for you to try if you are seeking treatment for knee pain.
Resting to Prevent Knee Pain
The first step in treatment for knee pain – and in most joint, muscle or bone injuries – is to rest. Taking a break from your normal activities lessens the strain on your knee, helps prevent further damage and helps provide knee pain relief.
Ice & Heat
Applying ice for under 20 minutes at a time lessens pain and inflammation in the affected area. Heat packs or hot water bottles may help provide knee pain relief temporarily.
Medication
Over-the-counter medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are typically recommended to provide knee pain relief. A doctor may prescribe you stronger medication as treatment for knee pain if an underlying condition like rheumatoid arthritis or gout is responsible. Creams containing a numbing agent may help reduce pain when rubbed onto the affected area and offer a simple form of knee pain home treatment.
Supplementation
Certain dietary supplements offer health benefits to the knee when taken consistently. Glucosamine, chondroitin and type I and II collagen are all known to support joint, muscle and bone health and may therefore help with knee pain relief over time.
Physical Therapy & Exercise
In addition to knee pain home treatments, a physical therapist can help manipulate the tissue around painful areas, as well as recommend exercises to help support the knee joint. Certain exercises may be needed to correct unhealthy movement patterns during sport or activities, while strengthening exercises may be prescribed to those with arthritic knee pain. Even if such exercises induce pain, they do not make arthritis worse; over time, they will help to maintain healthy cartilage and provide knee pain relief long-term.
Supportive Devices
Certain supportive devices can be used as a form of knee pain relief. Compression bandages help prevent fluid build-up and maintain knee alignment. Knee braces provide external stability to the knee joint, helping to reduce pain and strengthen the knee muscles. Arch support placed into footwear can help shift pressure away from the painful side of the knee.
Injections
Injecting medications or other substances directly into the joint can help provide knee pain relief. These could include corticosteroids to reduce pain symptoms, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) that can help lower inflammation and promote healing, or hyaluronic acid – a thick fluid that may help to lubricate joints, improve mobility and ease pain.
Surgery
In some cases, surgery may be required to provide knee pain relief. It is not typically necessary to have the operation immediately. Arthroscopic surgery may be used to remove loose cartilage or repair damaged cartilage, as well as to reconstruct torn ligaments. An osteotomy involves removing bone from the thighbone or shinbone to align the knee and help relieve arthritis pain. This surgery may also help to provide knee pain relief while delaying or avoiding total knee replacement surgery. A partial knee replacement is minimally invasive, where the most damaged parts of the knee are replaced with metal and plastic. A total knee replacement requires damaged bone and cartilage to be cut away from the kneecap, thighbone and shinbone and replaced with an artificial joint made from metal, plastic and polymers. Knee pain home treatments and physical therapy are usually effective enough to provide knee pain relief. However, further treatments and surgery may be considered for more serious issues. Don’t ignore or push through pain, and seek urgent care if you experience significant swelling, an inability to fully extend or flex the knee, feelings of instability in the knee joint, a fever in addition to knee swelling and pain, or an injury that induces instant pain.
Knee Pain Causes
The knee is the largest joint in the body, responsible for allowing us to stand and bearing our weight continuously. Knees are highly susceptible to wear and tear, and pain in knees is very common as a result – particularly as we age. Irritation to the tissue surrounding the kneecap is usually responsible, and while keeping fit and active is key to our health and longevity, it is usually active individuals who put repetitive stress on their knees and are therefore at a higher risk of injury and pain in knees. Here is a closer look at a number of potential knee pain causes.
Brief Anatomy of the Knee
The kneecap, also known as the patella, is a thick, round bone that covers the front part of the knee joint.
There are two types of cartilage in the knee.
Articular Cartilage: This covers the end of the thighbone, the shinbone and the back of the kneecap. It is a slippery substance that helps the knee bones glide smoothly when the leg bends or straightens.
Meniscal Cartilage: This consists of two wedge-shaped pieces of cartilage on the inner and outer side of the knee that act as shock absorbers between the thighbone and shinbone. This cartilage is most typically responsible for pain in knees when individuals have torn their meniscus.
Knee Pain Causes
Injuries and Overuse
Strains or Sprains: Minor injuries to the knee ligaments and/or muscles are extremely common knee pain causes and are typically the result of a blow to the knee or sudden twisting. Symptoms may include pain, swelling and difficulty walking.
Torn or Injured Ligaments/Tendons: Tendon injuries can range from inflammation to a tear, typically from sports or a fall. Injury to the ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) is usually caused by a sudden twisting motion; injury to the PCL (posterior cruciate ligament) is typically the result of a direct blow, and damage to the MCL (medial collateral ligament) is often caused by pressure to the outside of the knee. All three may cause swelling and sharp knee pain, bleeding into the knee, or an unstable knee.
Cartilage Issues: Cartilage in the kneecap may soften from injury, overuse, misalignment of the knee or muscle weakness. A meniscus tear refers to torn cartilage resulting in pain in knees felt inside or outside the knee joint. Cartilage tears are one of the more common knee pain causes and often occur with sprains.
Bursitis: Inflammation can result from repeated pressure on the knee, causing swollenness, tenderness, warmth and pain in knees.
Tendinitis: Overuse during certain activities or a change in activity may result in inflammation of the tendons. When this occurs in the patellar tendon – one of the more common knee pain causes in sports as a result of hitting the ground after a jump – it is referred to as “jumper’s knee”.
Iliotibial Band Syndrome: This involves injury to the thick band that runs from the hip to the outside of the knee. It may result in a clicking or rubbing feeling on the side of the knee, pain that increases with activity, and pain that spreads to the hip.
Patellofemoral Syndrome: This is one of the more frequent knee pain causes affecting children and young adults, involving pain behind or around the kneecap, particularly when flexing the knees.
Dislocation of the Kneecap: When the kneecap is dislocated as a result of direct trauma, it may slip sideways to the outside of the knee. It could appear deformed, the knee may stay bent and unable to straighten, there is likely to be sharp knee pain, tenderness and swelling, and the result may be a “sloppy” kneecap, where the kneecap can move too far to the left and right.
Broken Kneecap: The patella may fracture or break as a result of a fall or a direct blow to the knee, resulting in bruising, sharp knee pain, severe swelling and limited mobility.
Medical Conditions
Arthritis: Osteoarthritis is a common form of arthritis that can affect the knees. This degenerative condition results in cartilage wearing down over time, which may cause pain and stiffness in one or both knees. Pain may feel worse at the end of the day or during movement, or may improve with rest. Rheumatoid arthritis causes inflammation in the joints that can destroy knee cartilage over time, resulting in swelling, pain and limited mobility.
Baker Cyst: This refers to a swelling behind the knee that is filled with fluid, and may be the result of other knee pain causes, such as arthritis.
Osgood-Schlatter Disease: This condition may affect children and younger individuals, causing a bony lump to form below the knee cap which becomes painful and swollen with exercise.
Chondromalacia: Also referred to as “runner’s knee”, this is one of the more degenerative knee pain causes that results from chronic wear on the kneecap or a traumatic injury. Chondromalacia causes articular cartilage to soften and fray over time. Pain in knees may be felt at the front of the knee, especially when walking up and downhill, and grinding or clicking may be experienced when the knee flexes or extends.
Cancer: Far less likely than other knee pain causes, cancers that either spread to or begin in the bones may induce pain in knees. Individuals usually respond well to treatments such as pain medicine, ice, rest and therapeutic exercises. However, surgery may be required when the knee has structural damage, or if it has not responded to other methods of pain relief.
Knee arthritis – Symptoms, types, and treatments
Knee arthritis is a common medical condition that can significantly impact your daily life.
From joint stiffness to reduced range of motion, the symptoms of knee arthritis can make even the simplest tasks, like walking, a painful experience.
While most forms of arthritis are incurable, there are ways to effectively manage the symptoms.
In this article, we will learn about different forms of knee arthritis, their symptoms, and available treatment options. Keep reading if you are ready to say goodbye to your knee pains!
What is knee arthritis?
Knee arthritis is not one disease but rather a term encompassing different forms of arthritis. What these diseases have in common is that they all affect the knee joints.
Knee arthritis symptoms
While arthritis in the knee can have different forms, each with its own progression curve, the symptoms of these diseases are usually similar.
One might experience the following:
- Joint pain that increases with movement or after longer periods of standing or sitting
- Stiffness
- Swelling
- Redness around the joint area
- Decreased range of motion
- Unexpected locking of the knee
- Cracking or clicking sound when moving the joint
- Weakness in the knee
Certain forms of arthritis might also have some additional symptoms, like fever or fatigue, which might indicate inflammation.
Types of knee arthritis
While symptoms might be similar across most forms of knee arthritis, the underlying cause, the progression of the disease, and treatment options may vary, depending on the type of arthritis.
For this reason, it's crucial to get a proper diagnosis and determine the kind of knee arthritis we're dealing with.
Below, we will look at the most common forms of arthritis that might affect the knee joints.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. It's a degenerative disease where the cartilage between bones starts to break down. The condition worsens over time, sever osteoarthritis might cause permanent damage to the bones as well.
It can affect any joint in the body, including the knees.
Old age, physical trauma, and genetic factors can all increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis in the knee.
As with many other forms of arthritis, osteoarthritis is incurable. The best course of action is to reduce the impact of symptoms through medications, lifestyle changes, and in some cases, surgery.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks healthy tissues in the body. Most of the time, it affects the joints - including the knees - but may also cause damage to the skin, organs, and other areas of the body.
The symptoms are similar to other forms of arthritis: pain, stiffness, and tenderness in the joints. Additionally, people with rheumatoid arthritis might experience fevers, weight loss, fatigue, and general weakness. A common sign of rheumatoid arthritis is when the symptoms appear symmetrically on both sides of the body.
Rheumatoid arthritis can occur at any age, and the causes of the disease are not yet known. It appears more commonly in women or those with a family history of the disease. Smoking might also increase your risk of developing it.
There is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, but it's possible to lessen the effects of the symptoms with medications.
Post-traumatic knee arthritis
Post-traumatic knee arthritis is a form of osteoarthritis that develops after a trauma or an injury to the joint. It might appear shortly after the trauma, but even a previously healed injury can cause post-traumatic knee arthritis later. Usually, it has a faster progression than simple osteoarthritis.
Symptoms are similar to osteoarthritis. The only difference is the speed the disease develops, with post-traumatic arthritis being faster.
When treating post-traumatic knee arthritis, doctors usually focus on pain management and stabilizing the affected joint through low-impact exercise, physical therapy, or braces.
Gout
Gout is a kind of arthritis that might develop resulting from too much uric acid in the body. The urate buildup might form sharp little crystals in the joints, causing pain flare-ups, redness, tenderness, inflammation, and joint discomfort.
Gout most commonly develops in the big toe, but later stages of the disease can affect other joints too. While gout of the knee is rare, it's not unheard of.
During treatment, doctors usually focus on managing the pain attacks and lowering uric acid levels. They may also check for underlying kidney problems, which could cause the urate buildup.
Diagnosing knee arthritis
Doctors can diagnose arthritis in the knee with a combination of physical examination, X-ray or MRI imaging, and blood or joint-fluid tests.
When diagnosing arthritis, it's crucial to look for possible underlying causes and to find the exact form of arthritis, as treatment might be different for each.
Knee arthritis treatment
The course of treatment for knee arthritis depends on which type of arthritis you're dealing with. Non-inflammatory arthritides like osteoarthritis might call for simple painkillers, while autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis might get treated using immunosuppressants.
In severe cases of knee arthritis, doctors might suggest surgery. Surgical options are usually a last resort, and they might include joint replacement, joint fusing, or realignment of the joint.
If you’d like to know more about your treatment options, make sure you read our article on arthritis remedies.
The Dos and Don'ts of living with knee arthritis
In addition to seeing a doctor and getting treatment for your knee arthritis, there are a few things you can do for yourself to lessen the impact of your condition. And some other things you should avoid when you have arthritis.
The Dos
These small lifestyle changes and techniques might help you ease the pain and slow down the progression of the disease.
Stay active
When dealing with knee pain, it's easy to fall into a more sedentary lifestyle in hope of avoiding the pain. But that usually only makes arthritis worse. So make sure you get some exercise, even if it’s just a couple of minutes a day.
Choose low-impact activities that don't put too much stress on the joints. Swimming, rowing, tai chi, and yoga are all good options.
Try to maintain a healthy weight
Putting too much weight on your knees can stress the joints and speed up the progression of arthritis. So it's best to maintain a healthy weight as much as you can.
Following a balanced diet and doing low-impact cardio - like swimming - can help you achieve that.
Support your knees
You might want to use external support to reduce stress on your knees. Wrap bandages, braces, or even walking canes can help by stabilizing and supporting the joint.
The Don’ts
There are some other things that you might want to avoid if you are dealing with knee arthritis.
Don't put further stress on your joints
Try to reduce unnecessary load and stress on your knees. Avoid high-impact sports such as running, soccer, kickboxing, or basketball.
Only carry as much weight as your knees can safely support. If your knee joints are weak as a result of arthritis, it's best to avoid hauling heavy loads like furniture and so.
Always wear protective gear when doing activities with a risk of falling - like cycling. Knee protectors can reduce further joint damage.
Don't eat too many unhealthy foods
Following a healthy and balanced diet comes with many benefits, and it can also reduce the impact of arthritis in some cases.
It's best to avoid inflammatory foods like fried meals, red and processed meats, refined grains, and sodas. Doctors also advise cutting back on alcohol, as certain beverages amplify the inflammatory symptoms of arthritis. You might want to introduce some anti-inflammatory foods to your diet instead, like salmon, blueberries, tomatoes, and green leafy vegetables, to name a few.