It does not matter if you are old or young, we are susceptible to knee pains. Medical treatments extends from oral medication and surgery into growing adoption of non-invasive therapy, chiropractic and other treatments.
Knee pain is a common complaint that affects people of all ages. Most often associated with general wear and tear from daily activities like walking, bending, standing and lifting. Knee pain can also caused by injuries, mechanical problems, types of arthritis and other problems.
The location of the knee pain can vary depending on which structure is involved. With infection or an inflammatory process, the whole knee might be swollen and painful, while a fracture of a bone gives symptoms only in one specific location.
The severity of knee pain may also vary, depending on the cause of the problem. Knee pain has become all too common and is often times just ignored. Here are some signs and symptoms that sometimes accompany knee pain include:
Swelling and stiffness
Redness and warmth to the touch
Popping or crunching noises
Inability to fully straighten the knee or locking of knee (unable to bend the knee),
Difficulty weight bearing or walking due to instability of the knee
Limping due to discomfort & weakness
Difficulty walking up or down steps due to ligament damage (sprain),
Shifting weight to the opposite knee and foot.
Many types of minor knee pain respond well to self-care measures. Physical therapy and knee braces also can help relieve knee pain. In some cases, however, your knee may require surgical repair.
Fun Facts for the Day
The most common causes of knee pain are related to aging, injury or repeated stress on the knee.
Common knee problems include sprained or strained ligaments, cartilage tears, tendonitis and arthritis.
Knee pain can be localized to a specific area of the knee or be diffused throughout the knee.
Both non-operative and surgical treatment options are available to treat knee pain and problems depending on the type and severity of the condition.
Diagnosing a knee injury or problem includes a medical examination and usually the use of a diagnostic procedure(s) such as an x-ray, MRI, CT scan or arthroscopy.
The treatment for knee pain will depend, to some extent, on the cause of the problem. However, the following simple remedies can help with many forms of knee pain.
1. Strengthening exercises
Strengthening the upper leg muscles—the quadriceps muscles—through exercise can help to protect the knee joint. These muscles are at the sides and front of the thighs.
2. Posture and support
Measures that can help to minimize knee strain include:
Avoiding low chairs and couches that you “sink” into
Sitting on a pillow to raise your seating level, if necessary
Checking that you have a good sitting posture, without slouching or leaning
Wearing supportive shoes and avoiding those with broken arches, as they can result in abnormal force and wear on the knee
Avoiding prolonged sitting and long periods without moving, as joints may become stiff and painful without movement
3. Weight loss and diet
A Mediterranean diet can help people maintain a healthy weight and may have anti-inflammatory properties. People who have excess weight or obesity have a higher risk of knee pain. Carrying extra weight gives the joints more work to do. Losing it helps to reduce long-term knee pain, including pain caused by arthritis. The extra weight on your body also increases inflammation throughout the body and the knees are affected.
Eating well helps with keeping weight off.
4. Heat and cold therapy
Heat and cold therapy can be effective in treating pain in the lower back, and it has been recommended to ease joint pain that results from arthritis.
Heat relaxes muscles and improves lubrication, leading to a reduction in stiffness. Use a hot water bottle or a warm pad. Check out our best selling Heating Knee Brace now!
Ice, wrapped in a cloth, can reduce pain, inflammation, and swelling.
Some people may use heat to improve mobility in the morning and reduce swelling later in the day.
5. Acupuncture
In 2017, a study involving 570 people found evidence that acupuncture might help people with osteoarthritis in the knee. Participants received either 23 true or 23 sham acupuncture sessions over 26 weeks, or 6 acupuncture sessions over 12 weeks. Researchers concluded the Acupuncture seems to provide improvement in function and pain relief as an adjunctive therapy for osteoarthritis of the knee when compared with credible sham acupuncture and education control groups.
6. Tai chi
Tai chi is a form of meditative exercise, and the benefits of exercise alone are discussed above. A year-long study of 204 participants with knee osteoarthritis concluded that tai chi might have similar, if not greater, benefits compared with standard physical therapy.
In addition, those who did tai chi also saw significant improvements in symptoms of depression and the physical aspects of quality of life, compared with those who underwent standard physical therapy.
Commenti