Knee Pain
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| P.C.- Google images- yodiyim |
Any type of discomfort between our two bones of knee that makes us immobile is said to be a knee Pain. The cause of knee pain can vary from person to person. It can be due to any trauma , teared supporting bursae & ligaments, infection, autoimmune or other injury etc. Mainly elders are facing such pain characterized by redness , stiffness, immobility of joint.
Some exercises , pain relief gels may help you to relief pain and surgical treatment may advise for patients having worst conditions.
Causes
As said earlier many injuries & other factors.
1. Injury
Different trauma, bursitis (inflammation of fluid filled cushion to slide tendons & ligaments over joint), ACL injury (anterior cruciate ligament rupture that support tibia to connect thigh bone , commonly seen in soccer , basketball players due to sudden change in movement), teared meniscus(shock absorber) , dislocation & fractures of tibia, fibula, patella(knee cap) and thigh bone.etc.
2. Arthritis
Inflammation of joint-arthritis. There is more than 80 types of arthritis among them some common arthritis are
Osteoarthritis- as you grow older and older there is a rupture of ligaments causing inflammation leading osteoarthritis.
Rheumatoid arthritis- its a type of chronic disease an autoimmune disorder that can affect any joints but mainly knee joint.
Gout- joint pain due to deposition of uric acid crystals especially big toe due to lower temperature causing pain.
Pseudogout- join pain due to deposition of calcium crystals.
Sepsis arthritis- pain caused due to bacterial or viral infection in fluid filled cushion.
3. Obesity- joint pain caused when the person is unable to hold his weight due to excessive fat in a body.
4. Physical inactivity- can lead to joint pain due to prolongation of not using joint.
Symptoms
Although the sign & symptoms vary individually and the cause of it. But mainly
- redness and swelling of joint
- pain while moving usually
- stiffness
- immobility
- limited extent of leg movement
- unable to straighten leg properly
Diagnosis
We have different diagnostic methods for knee pain that are-
1. X-ray- X-ray is a radiographic technique that uses beam of electrons emitted from cathode of X-ray tubes towards anode. Its helpful to detect bones structure and its deformity.
2. Computed Tomography (C.T. scan)-its a kind of x-ray but unlike x-ray it is helpful to see detailed structure of bones and soft tissues in many slices in 3 dimensional picture.
3. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)- Its a way of producing a strong magnetic field in order to create a 3D images that are far better than images produced by C.T. scan. Its helpful to see detailed structure of ligaments, tendons , cartilages etc.
4. Laboratory test- this technique is used for seeing the microscopic organism like bacteria ,virus in fluid filled cushions- knee bursae .Also beneficial diagnosis for septic arthritis.
Treatment
Treatment of knee pain depends on its causes like
a) Regular exercises- According to American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeon doing various leg exercises can feel you relax during knee pain like quadriceps strech, hamstring stretch, calf raises , straightening of legs, & other stretching exercises.
b) reducing weight- this treatment is for obese patients suffering from knee pain. Reducing their body weight can relief them from this unbearable knee pain.
c) consulting physiotherapist incase of any neuralgia due to compression of nerves between joint.
d) heat and ice packs- for temporary pain relief
e) physician can give you medication like Corticosteroids injection, Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs(NSAIDS- NAPROXEN, IBUPROFEN, CELECOXIB, PRP injection)
f) partial/ complete knee surgery- depending on the condition and by looking at an advantages & disadvantages of execution of surgery . Your orthopedic surgeon can go through partial knee surgery to remove the defective or damaged part from your joint. Also can go for complete surgery for complete removal of pain causing part.
