The cases of people suffering from knee pain have risen in the last few years, and in many cases it is a chronic condition, rather than a one-off situation. The knee being the main joint used for walking, it is important that you do not ignore the pain and find an effective remedy for it.

Functioning of the Knee

Knee injuries are a common occurrence which can be partly attributed to the complexity of the joint. In order to fully understand the implications of chronic knee pain, it is essential to understand the various parts that your knee is made up of and how the functions come together to ensure smooth functioning of the knee. The knee is the joint where the thighbone, shinbone, and kneecap connect. The knee is also made up of cartilage, ligaments, menisci, and tendons.

Among these, the cartilage is a slippery substance located on the ends of the bones in the knee. Cartilage makes it possible to let the bones rub smoothly over one another as the leg bends and straightens. Ligaments are the connective tissues that hold the bones of the knee together, which helps the knee get its stability. The menisci, which are the cushions between the femur and tibia, act as the shock absorbers. There is one meniscus that runs along the outer aspect and one along the inner aspect. The muscles in the legs are attached to the bones they control through the connective tissues known as tendons.

The proper functioning of the knees is directly connected to how efficiently the various parts function. It is what protects the bones of the knee from any crude impact and allows you to have pain-free movements.

Causes of Chronic Knee Pain

Your knee pain can be attributed to many different reasons. Knowing the exact cause of the pain can help you identify the most effective treatment. Given below are some of the common causes of knee pain.

Trauma

Your body suffers trauma when you have an accident or a fall. Sometimes even doing strenuous physical activity like playing sports without proper warm-up and stretching exercises can cause traumatic injury to the body. When the knee is put under extreme duress, it results in traumatic injuries. Falling with great force, being hit directly on the knee, or making a sudden change in the direction of your leg can all result in traumatic knee injuries. The common traumatic knee injuries include bone fractures, dislocated kneecaps, and torn ligaments.

Degenerative tissue disorders

As a person ages, osteoarthritis is one of the most common chronic joint conditions they face. This happens on account of the wear and tear of the joints over time. Apart from that, osteoporosis is yet another common disorder which is characterized by the damage caused to the cartilage and connecting tissues of the knee as the supporting bone is lost. The symptoms of degenerative tissue disorders include pain and stiffness in the knee, and you could also experience swelling in the knees after a period of extended activity. The risk of degenerative disorders increases with age, genetic condition, dietary habits, and lack of exercise.

Connective tissue disorders

This is a disorder which causes the body’s immune system to attack its own tissues. Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most common connective tissue disorders. In this case, the body’s immune system attacks the tissues of the knees which leads to severe pain. It also causes pain, joint inflammation, and fatigue. Usually a family history of rheumatoid arthritis, smoking, obesity, and age act as contributing factors for connective tissue disorders.

Bacterial infection

The bacterial infection that affects the knee is known as cellulitis. This condition occurs when the bacteria that are normally on the surface of the skin start making their way underneath the skin’s protective layer. Cellulitis around the knee can lead to infection of the joints if left untreated. It also leads to redness, swelling, stiffness, and severe pain in the knee. A weakened immune system, certain skin conditions, swelling in the arms and legs, or the use of needles can cause bacterial infection.

Metabolic disorders

The body’s metabolism rate dictates how the cells convert food to energy. Hence, metabolic disorders refer to the illness that affect this process. Some metabolic disorders like gout may cause some people to experience chronic knee pain. Gout causes uric acid crystals to build up in the joints. As a result the body experiences painful inflammation which can affect the mobility of the knee. This condition usually arises as a result of poor lifestyle choices, genetic factors, excessive use of alcohol, and poor dietary habits.

Diagnosis and Treatment

In order to be able to successfully diagnose the cause of your chronic knee pain condition, it is important to get it examined by a licensed medical practitioner. You might be sent for a full physical examination in order to properly determine the exact cause of the pain. The doctor accounts for the various risk factors in each patient’s case, and takes the help of the X-rays or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), to understand the underlying cause of the condition. Relying on the experience of doctors like Dr. Aaron Richardet is crucial in order to successfully diagnose and treat your chronic knee pain condition.

Depending on each patient’s condition, the doctor may prescribe one or more treatments for the condition. Given below are three non-invasive treatment methods.

Cold laser therapy

This therapy is used on people seeking non-invasive alternatives to treat their knee pain. The cold laser treatments or the low level laser therapy treatments use specific wavelengths of light to interact with the tissue that is damaged, injured or irritated. Using this therapy patients find relief in their knee pain, as it helps reduce the inflammation and irritation to the nerve endings. Getting physiotherapy along with this treatment helps strengthen the ligament and muscles which reduces the pressure on the joint.

Insertion therapy

In this therapy, certain substances are injected into the knee joints to supplement naturally occurring hyaluronic acid. The hyaluronic acid is what acts as a shock absorber and lubricant, allowing the joints to move smoothly. A small amount of fluid is first removed to make room for the hyaluronic acid. Another method involves removal of joint fluid through a hollow needle inserted into the joint space of the knee. This helps quickly ease the pain and swelling. And, in some cases, doctors inject corticosteroids directly into the knee for quick relief of pain and inflammation.

Exercises

Regular exercise ensures a range of motion, thus, strengthening the muscles that support them. This, in turn, helps to strengthen the knee and relieve the pain. Research has shown that even minor increases in the strength of the quadriceps, the muscles that run along the front of the thigh, can help reduce the risk of osteoarthritis and its progression, which can help reduce knee pain. Exercise is also helpful in cases of arthritis as it strengthens the muscles that support the joint. Usually low stress exercises like swimming, cycling, and walking are recommended to help patients strengthen their knee and help deal with their pain.

Chronic knee pain is a debilitating condition, which makes daily life difficult for the patient. Hence, finding relief through the most effective treatment is crucial for such patients. With experienced doctors like Dr. Aaron Richardet, you are fully engaged and well informed about every step of the treatment process. Masking pain with prescription medicine is a temporary fix. Undergoing a holistic treatment that diagnoses and treats the root cause of the condition is what will enable you to live a truly pain-free life.