Knee Pain – Common Causes of Knee Pain
Though not always taken seriously, knee pain can result in the loss of the ability to carry out normal daily functions. Our knees are critical in the movement of our legs and are essential for normal walking. The knee also bears much of the body's weight therefore reducing the strain on the lower limbs. Our knees are vital for our daily lives.
The knee is one of the most complex joints in the body. It consists of three compartments. The patella, commonly known as the knee cap, is the small bone that makes up the front of the knee. This bone is classified as a sesamoid bone. The description of a sesamoid bone refers to a little bone embedded in a capsule or tendon. The patella is embedded in tendons and measures up to 2 inches in an adult.
The knee joint is formed at the point where the femur (thigh bone) meets the tibia (shin bone). Other components of the knee joint include cartilage and ligaments which provide strength and stability to the knee joint.
Ligaments are the fibrous tissues that connect bones together. They have the ability to stretch therefore allowing movements in joints such as the knee. Injuries to the ligaments in the knee joint may result in knee pain. The pain felt as a result of an injury to the ligaments in the knee is usually felt immediately. Depending on the ligament injured, tenderness may be felt above the area of injury or deep within the knee. Ligament injuries cause pain even at rest and may be accompanied by swelling and a warm sensation. The pain usually becomes worse when bending the knee or when more weight is placed on the knee while standing or walking.
Treatment of knee pain resulting from ligament injuries depends on the severity of the injury. Initial treatment usually involves the application off ice packs to the knee, rest and elevation of the knee. Immobilization may involve the use of splints or braces for more serious injuries. Severe injuries of the ligaments may require open surgery to repair the damage.
The pressure between the two large bones that make the knee joint (the thigh bone and the shin bone) may result in friction. Cartilaginous tissue between these two bones disperses the pressure and friction between the two bones. This tissue is known as the meniscus. Tearing of the meniscus will result in Knee pain. The tearing results from sharp shearing forces that are caused by the rotation of the knee joint. These are commonly felt in rapid and sharp movements of the knee which are common in sports requiring fast body reactions.
Knee pain as a result of meniscus tears is more common with aging as a normal part of degeneration. There can be more than one tear. The pain is manifested as a popping sensation that becomes worse when carrying out activities requiring rotation of the knee. The patient may experience locking or instability in the knee joint. Other common causes of knee pain include fractures to the knee joint and straining of the knee joint tendons resulting in inflammation of the knee otherwise known as tendinitis.
But relief from pain and injuries is just a phone call away: Knee Pain Doctors.
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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Vreugde
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19 Responses to “Knee Pain – Common Causes of Knee Pain”
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Kudos! What a neat way of tihnknig about it.
Posted by Jock | June 30, 2011, 4:22 pmThe purchases I make are entirely based on these artciles.
Posted by Alla | November 2, 2011, 12:00 am@themassagegroup thank u so much 4replying,its realy an honour 2have ur ans.my mother is having sever knee pain,i did same massage on her but that work temporary, she had therapy too but that also worked not wel , 4m therapy she got menses problem.any suggestion please, i wil b very thankful 4 ur help.
Posted by Thelione | February 6, 2012, 8:17 pmi have been snowboarding and sktoebaarding all my life.. i fell on my knees alot and it seems like the bone has a bump on the knee i always fell on.. and now that im 25 after doing thing i love my knee feels kind soar.. and i always think the ligaments didnt heal right.. and its getting better.. but maybe I gotta be happy i can walk free I just dont wanna give it all up..
Posted by Dharmesh | June 13, 2012, 8:51 pmOMG I remember this oh so well. Usually it was worse after I had been laiyng down for a while and went to get up and I would have to sit back down because it hurt so bad. I was told its from the baby dropping and putting a lot of pressure on those areas. I was also told its worse your first baby.
Posted by Yuusuke | November 11, 2012, 9:46 amwrongly I did MRI not x-ray.doc said nothing.but i sptpoed running for few months and when i tried again it hurts.I have a feeling i overdid exercise cos i ran ever night and it swelled up and since that it started gaving me probs.Now i can feel my left knee just isnt that strong.Thanks for the advise, I will get another advise from another doctor to be safe!!
Posted by ifthitdtha | June 13, 2012, 10:05 pmIdeal posture rrefes to the perfect alignment of the body so that it works in harmony. The joints stay healthy and mobile; the muscles long and strong. The body is balanced both front and back, side to side, inside and out. Faulty posture can create a number of health problems, some of which may surprise you.
Posted by Adri | August 28, 2012, 11:57 amAs to whether it’s noarml yes. I would get that all the time in my last month; and I got scared at first thinking there was something wrong. I especially felt it when I was standing up walking. It’s just all the weight of the baby, fluid, placenta, etc. pushing down on your cervix. And those who have already had a baby know that things pushing on your cervix is painful..!
Posted by Jaspreet | November 11, 2012, 7:31 amYeah it’s normal. It’s clelad lightning . It’s a sharp pain that comes from the baby moving down into the birth canal. It’s normal and painful, but I wish I knew a way to prevent it or not have it hurt so much. But it’s nothing to worry about. just take it easy and make sure that you are drinking plenty of fluids right now and until birth.
Posted by Vasiliy | November 11, 2012, 7:47 amnot really. this is done to crrceot bowlegs (the opposite of knock knees). also, this osteotomy is done in the tibia, the bone below the knee, while you are referring to the femur, which is above the knee. the fixators are similar.
Posted by Evance | August 31, 2012, 12:43 amI had a dislocated knee and now I have nesunbms or iono how to explain the exotic feelin in my knee but I’ll try doesn’t hurt though its like numb and I get a like pulse on the side of my knee every time I lay down or run. Only dislocated once don’t want to dislocate it again can someone tell how to prevent it from dislocating again happen last december
Posted by Aksana | June 13, 2012, 8:21 pmIs this what is done to correct genu vagulm (knock knees)? And, is this device what is known as an EBI frame? I’m considering surgery on both knees for this and really HOPE the femoral osteotomy can be done via a minimally invasive method.
Posted by Eva | August 29, 2012, 2:23 amWear them for a few hours a day, every day for a week. Wear them when you’re going out, or around the house. Even just wnahcitg TV in them can help. After about a week, take a short run in them. Then wear them around the house for a day or two more. Then you should be good to go! Good luck!References : runner who had custom orthodics!
Posted by Pauldavil | June 13, 2012, 10:50 pmI LOVE this post. It is so important to pelope to realize that there will always be setbacks in fitness, but there are great alternatives and you should always look at it as a opportunity to do other things to improve fitness (like strength and flexibility). After having a tumor removed from my abdominal muscles, recovering from that surgery and then having a massive hernia at the surgical site, I am constantly having good days and bad days. So, I keep an open mind and just try to learn more about alternatives to hard exercise. I hope you are feeling well and have a great week Caitlin!
Posted by Sindiputri | November 13, 2012, 7:06 amwhat happens if one is UK based, had a mccyle crash over 4 years ago and the NHS cant decide on treatment and continually change diagnosis, doing tsts then not finding results[read misplaced] .all around the same time the courts were pursuing the guy for damages from the guy who knocked off hmany suggestions ?
Posted by Excel | June 14, 2012, 12:21 amThanx for this post, Caitlin! I have been suffering from a soudlher injury since sometime in the summer and finally took 2 weeks off from my boxing and kickboxing classes to give myself some healing time. It has been VERY difficult to not do the exercises I crave. I have used the cycle, treadmill and elliptical at our gym instead, tho. I am going back to class tonite, but have no plan to do pushups, burpees or planks. I will see how I feel by Wednesday, when I plan to head back for another class. I know I should have taken it easy way sooner and I am paying now by having to take more time off. I think I will use some of your tips to keep me moving (& grooving) while I continue the slow and steady healing.
Posted by Hikmet | November 13, 2012, 6:21 ama year ago..i got injured while pilnayg basketball..im not sure what injury was it..something snapped/popped..i didnt walk for couple of weeks then when the pain was gone i went out to play again but everytime i play it pops..and again i cant walk for weeks..now,everytime i bend my knees something just crunches..can you tell me what injury do i have?
Posted by Irving | June 14, 2012, 2:56 amIf it was a kidney plrobem, it wouldn’t stay the same. Either they get better or they get a lot worse. Try this exercise:Get a small hand towel, fold it in half lengthwise and then roll it up so you’ve got something the size and shape of a swiss roll. Lie on your back on the floor with the rolled up towel supporting your spine in the area where you get the pain. (That’s in the direction of your spine not across it).If it hurts for a few seconds and then gives you a lot of relief, it’s a disc plrobem. Stay there for 10 minutes and do this every day. Visiting a chiropractor may help.If it makes things worse, it’s sciatica. Go and see your doctor.If it makes no difference, you’re a hypochondriac. Try getting out more.
Posted by Favio | August 29, 2012, 1:06 amI started the C25K proagrm back in the spring and had to stop because of my knee swelling and pain. Today, I am FINALLY going to see my doc about it. I hope the is the start of finding out what the problem is.When I found out about the 100 push up challenge, I was totally psyched. After looking into it, I decided to do the push ups, crunches and squats! (I’m hoping the squats will help strengthen my legs muscles thereby helping my knee pain!) I have been keeping up, but I too, have had to repeat stuff! It may take me longer than the prjected 6 weeks, but I am continuing to make slow progress and am confident I’ll do this!Yay! Go us!
Posted by Mariam | November 13, 2012, 6:44 am