Knee Joint Pain

The knees serve a lot of functions. Not only do these bear the weight of the body, these are also essential for movement. As such, it comes as no surprise that knee joint pain is a common problem experienced by a lot of people.

What Causes Knee Joint Pain?

What people may not be aware of is that there is not one thing that causes knee joint pain. As such, there is no single diagnosis for the condition. If you are feeling knee joint pain, it can be caused by at least of one of several conditions, which include:

• Arthritis. Arthritis is joint inflammation, causing knee joint pain. There are different kinds of arthritis, one of the most common of which is osteoarthritis which causes the gradual degeneration of the cartilage of the knee. The risk of contracting arthritis increases with age, and treatment will depend on the kind of arthritis contracted by the patient.

• Gout. Gout occurs when there is a buildup of uric acid deposits in joints. Some people have attacks that last for a few days and then disappear, while there are those who have a chronic form of the condition. The exact cause of gout has yet to be discovered.

• Baker cyst. Baker cyst is a kind of cyst formed at the back of the knee due to the accumulation of fluid in the area, causing knee joint pain.

• Pellegrini-Stieda syndrome. The inside of the knee joint can calcify, causing a condition called the Pellegrini-Stieda syndrome. A combination of rest, application of ice packs, and corticosteroids can treat this condition to relieve knee joint pain.

• Chondromalacia. Chondromalacia occurs when the cartilage under the kneecap softens, causing pain and stiffness. Young women are particularly prone to contracting chondromalacia. Anti-inflammatory medications are usually prescribed to relieve the symptoms. Physical therapy may also be recommended to strengthen the quadriceps muscles.

• Bursitis of the knee. Bursitis occurs when the bursae, or the small sacs in the joints that contain synovial fluid, become inflamed. Bursitis of the knee usually occurs at the kneecaps and the inside of the knee. A prescription of anti-inflammatory medications and ice packs are usually given for the treatment of this type of knee joint pain. Occasionally, corticosteroid injections and painkillers may also be given, and the patient may also be recommended to do physical therapy to develop the thigh muscles.

• Infections. Infections of the bone or joint are rare and serious conditions that cause knee joint. Symptoms of infection include fever, extreme heat on the infected joint, and chills. Like other kinds of infections, these are usually treated using antibiotics.

• Tumors. Like infections, having a tumor in the knee is a rare condition that causes joint knee pain and ambulatory problems. These are usually treated with surgery to excise the tumor. In worst-case scenarios, the leg may be amputated.

Diagnosis and treatment of a condition that causes knee joint pain will depend on what the actual condition is.