Knee Joint Pain:
Finding Clear Answers

Knee joint pain can develop from many causes. Understanding this pain requires considering several factors. A person's age, the location of the pain, the possibility of a traumatic event, and the speed with which the pain developed are all important questions to ask during a diagnosis.

The pain in the knee is due to one or more easily describable symptoms. For example, if a person repeatedly hears a popping sound in the knee and experiences pain the chances are high that it is an ACL or ligament injury.

By determining the medical history of a patient and comparing it to the patient's current symptoms a medical professional can determine the source of the knee pain. Additional tests, such as CT scans and MRI's make the diagnosis clear to both the patient and the doctor.

Popping and locking are not just a hip-hop dance craze. Knee joint pain sufferers report that popping and locking, along with 'giving way', are the most common symptoms of knee injuries. As mentioned above, popping involves the ligaments in the knee.

Ligaments can cause the knee to give away. The ligaments of the knee connect the shin to the femur, so torn ligaments make a person feel as if their leg is about to give away.

Locking means that a person cannot get their knee to bend or straighten. Pain may cause the person to be unable to move the knee joint or a piece of cartilage may become hinged inside the joint.

The location of the pain is another important diagnostic tool. Knee pain can originate in the front of the knee, the kneecap, inside the knee, outside the knee, or in the back of the knee.

One of the most debilitating forms of knee pain is arthritis of the knee. Arthritis in the knee area can be osteoarthritis, a result of wear and tear on the cartilage, ligaments, and joints, or rheumatoid arthritis in which the joint becomes inflamed and cartilage can disintegrate.

The causes of osteoarthritis link stress on the joint to deformities, injuries, repeated motion, and excessive weight. This form of the disease most often strikes a person when they reach middle age. Younger people with osteoarthritis may have an inherited tendency toward the disease.

The symptoms of knee arthritis are similar to other knee pain problems and include pain and swelling. A person may experience a decrease in range of motion. Locking and popping are typical with osteoarthritis.
Moreover, a stiffness experienced in the morning is common.

In addition to the normal tests utilized to diagnose knee pain, arthritis pain requires a more intensive examination. It includes x-rays, CT's, MRI's, and blood tests. Damage to the cartilage may be determined using an arthroscopy.

There are several treatment options for people suffering from knee pain. The most common treatment for short-term pain is pain medication. Exercise will aid in improving joint flexibility. Weight loss can relieve the pressure placed on the joints. In many cases, knee joint pain successfully lessens with physical therapy.

Many causes of knee joint pain, especially those related to overuse or physical activity, respond well to self-care:

• Rest and avoid activities that aggravate the pain, especially weight bearing activities.
• Apply ice. First, apply it every hour for up to 15 minutes. After the first day, apply it at least 4 times per day.
• Keep your knee elevated as much as possible to bring any swelling down.
• Gently compress the knee by wearing an ace bandage or elastic sleeve. Either can be purchased at most pharmacies. This may reduce swelling and provide support.
• Sleep with a pillow underneath or between your knees.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
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