Overview
lifestyle and Medical conditions may also cause knee pain, including arthritis, gout, and infections. Other uncommon causes will be discussed later in this article.
Most forms of mild to moderate knee pain respond well to home remedies and other self-care measures. Knee braces, physical therapy, and specific exercises can also help relieve pain in the knee joint.
In some cases, especially after a trauma – your knee may need surgical repair to restore its mobility and other functions.
Knee Pain Symptoms
Depending on the cause, the location and extent of knee pain can vary from person to person. Common underlying signs and symptoms of knee pain include:
Pain – Pain is the most significant sign that something is wrong with the knee joint. Depending on the knee condition, the pain may vary in duration and intensity. Pain during a specific time period (occur after waking up, become intense in the evening or before going to bed) may indicate a particular medical condition.
Swelling and stiffness – Knee pain is usually accompanied by swelling and stiffness of the knee joint. A joint may swell right after a traumatic event or secondary to some medical condition. Often, stiffness is so intense that you will not be able to move your leg. Both swelling and stiffness are known to restrict the mobility of the knee joint.
Redness and warmth to the touch – These are the signs of inflammation that usually suggest an infection. Various bacterial and viral infections can cause your knee joint to become red and warm to touch.
Weakness or instability – Knee is one of the body’s main weight-bearing joints that help distribute the weight while walking and doing other activities. Weakness usually develops when your knee joint is not able to bear the body weight and become less functional due to pain and swelling.
Popping or crunching noises – This sign is usually known as crepitus. It develops when your cartilage starts rubbing with the joint surface or surrounding tissues during joint movement.
In more than 70% of the cases, it is the result of your cartilage becoming hard and rough – hindering the sliding movement of the bones.
Inability to fully straighten the knee – If you have ripped your patella or quadriceps tendon, you will not be able to flex and straighten the leg. That’s because your kneecap is no longer attached to the muscles that help you to straighten the knee. It is also one of the basic reasons why there is a significant weakness in people who tear their tendon patella.
