Being physically active is quite beneficial for the joints and your body. However, knee pain is very common and can affect people of all age groups. One of the common causes of knee pain is associated with the wear and tear of the joint over time or due to some injury to the knee. Wear and tear can happen due to day-to-day activities like exercises, walking, lifting or bending, etc. Knee pain and other joint-related problems are also common among athletes. No matter the knee pain reasons, it can be very exhausting and debilitating for the person affected.
Common Causes of Knee Pain:
Is your knee paining? Joint or knee pain affects several people due to various different reasons. As mentioned earlier, knee pain is most commonly caused due to aging, stress on the joints, or overtime wear & tear. Following are some of the most common knee joint pain causes:
- Arthritis:
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Knee Injuries
1. Arthritis:
Arthritis is a joint-related condition causing swelling, inflammation, and tenderness in one or more joints. Stiffness and pain in the joints are common symptoms of arthritis. It is also one of the common knee swelling causes. There are two most common types of arthritis; Osteoarthritis (OA) & Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). One of the common knee pain causes in young adults includes osteoarthritis. Yes, this type of arthritis can affect people at a young age. Moreover, being an athlete or obese also increases the risk of OA.
– Osteoarthritis:
It is one of the most common types of arthritis. OA occurs when the cartilage between the joints either breaks down or it wears off. This causes the bones to rub together within the joint. Some symptoms of OA include the following:
- Pain in the affected joints
- Stiffness in the joints is common after waking up or being inactive.
- Tenderness on applying light pressure to the joint/near it.
- Loss of flexibility & decreased range of motion.
- Swelling in the joint caused due to soft tissue inflammation.
– Rheumatoid Arthritis:
RA is an inflammatory and autoimmune disorder. Meaning, that by mistake healthy cells in your body are attacked by the immune system. This causes inflammation in the affected parts of the body. RA typically affects the joints, usually more than one joint. It commonly affects the joints in the knees, hands, and wrists.
Common symptoms of RA include the following:
- Pain and stiffness in more than one joint
- Swelling and tenderness in more than one joint
- Fever
- Weight loss
- Weakness and fatigue
2. Knee injuries:
Performing repetitive motions can cause overuse injuries and is one of the causes of knee pain. Sprains, strains, or tears are also included in injuries to the knee.
Remedies for knee pain:
Following are some of the common activities that can be done for the pain in the knee joint:
- Rest
- Use ice pads
- Elevate your knee
- Perform strengthening exercises
Preventing knee pain:
In order to prevent knee pain & injuries:
- Don’t perform exercises if you feel pain in your knees
- Gradually make your workout intense not suddenly.
- Before and after any physical activity, stretch your legs.
When to seek medical attention?
In case of pain, consult your nearest KKT Orthopedic Spine Center. We have 8 operational centers in major metropolitan cities across Pakistan (Lahore (Johar Town/DHA), Karachi, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, and more). For booking an appointment, click on the link below: