What Causes Chronic Knee Pain

Temporary knee pain is different from chronic knee pain. Many people experience temporary knee pain as a result of an injury or accident. Chronic knee pain rarely goes away without treatment, and it isnt always attributable to one incident. Its most often the result of several causes or conditions.

Physical conditions or diseases can cause knee pain. These include:

• osteoarthritis: pain, inflammation, and joint destruction caused by degeneration and deterioration of the joint
• tendinitis: pain in the front of the knee that is made worse when climbing, taking stairs, or walking up an incline
• bursitis: inflammation caused by repeated overuse or injury of the knee
• gout: arthritis caused by the buildup of uric acid
• Bakers cyst: a buildup of synovial fluid behind the knee
• rheumatoid arthritis : a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disorder that causes painful swelling and can eventually cause joint deformity and bone erosion
• dislocation: dislocation of the kneecap most often the result of trauma
• meniscus tear: a rupture in one or more of the cartilage in the knee
• torn ligament: tear in one of the four ligaments in the knee the most commonly injured ligament is the anterior cruciate ligament
• bone tumors: osteosarcoma , most commonly occurs in the knee

Factors that may make chronic knee pain worse:

• injuries to the structure of the knee can cause bleeding and swelling and can create a chronic problem over time if not treated properly

Lose weight if you are overweight or obese.

How Do I Stop My Knee From Overextending

Use of Knee Braces There are a wide range of knee braces on the market, which when wrap around your hinged knee, can help to prevent knee hyperextension. The knee brace gives you controls over your movement by providing the support and stability needed to prevent you from hyper-extending your knees.

Causes Of Pseudo Locked Knee

Pseudo knee locking is almost always linked with pain. If knee pain is severe enough, then the bodys protectivemechanisms kick in, limiting the movement as the body tries to preventany damage being done. It usually does this by causing the muscles tospasm, holding the leg in position.

Thedifference from true locking is that there is nothing actually stuck inside thejoint, and whilst the knee may at first appear to be stuck, it usuallyunlocks quickly. There is often more of a catching sensation whichinhibits movement but quickly disappears rather than the knee locking up completely.

Pseudo locking can limit bothflexion and extension, bending and straightening the knee, whereas truelocking is usually a block to extension only.

The most common causes of pseudo locking at the knee include:

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Knee Pain When Bending

Reviewed by: KPE Medical Review Board

Knee pain when bending is a common problem. Forces up to seven times body weight can go through the knee as it bends, so it comes as no surprise that it is such a widespread problem.

Bending knee pain may start suddenly after an injury, or gradually come on over time depending on the cause.

There are a number of different causes of knee pain when bending, but they generally all result from a problem with one of the structures in or around the knee, affecting how it moves.

This changes how the forces travel through the different parts of the knee and can result in too much pressure going through certain parts, which leads to knee pain bending.

Here we will look at the different types of bending knee pain, the most common causes of knee pain when bending, treatment options and what is actually going on in the knee as it bends.

Why Does My Knee Hurt When Bending

Knees take a beating all the time, but even more so when they bend. In fact, knees take a force of up to 4 times your body weight every time you move.

The knee is the largest and most complex joint in the human body. With many components such as bones, tendons, ligaments, muscles, bursae, and other soft tissues, it is very vulnerable to a variety of injuries. According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, there were about 10.4 million doctor visits in 2010 alone for common knee injuries , so its no surprise that Americans are experiencing knee pain – especially when bending.

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Types Of Knee Pain When Bending

Pain in the Knee, with Locking in the Joint

Inside the knee joint, there are two C shaped pieces of cartilage called menisci, which keep the surfaces of the upper leg bone and lower leg bones from grinding against each other. Injuries to this cartilage usually result from a trauma, like landing a jump or twisting your knee. You may also notice problems with range of motion, walking, or even a locking sensation in the joint. Resting the knee and managing inflammation will help heal minor tears, while physical therapy can help strengthen and stabilize it.

Pain Behind the Kneecap

Patella-Femoral Syndrome is a term that describes joint pain between the kneecap and upper leg bone. Under the kneecap is a smooth cartilage lining that creates a gliding surface between the bones, and if it softens or wears away it can result in pain and inflammation. According to Neuromuscular Specialist and co-founder of the Performance Institute in New York City, major contributing factors to this knee pain are poor alignment when landing, as well as imbalanced quadricep muscles, which can pull the kneecap side to side. Strengthening the quads and stretches to lengthen hamstrings and calfs will help reduce the risk of injury.

Pain and Tenderness on the outside of the Knee

Pain with a Pop

How Is Knee Pain In Teens Diagnosed

Your healthcare provider will ask about your teens knee pain:

• Is there a known cause for the knee pain does it happen with certain movements or is there no specific known event?
• How long has the pain been present?
• Where on or around your knee do you feel pain?
• Does the pain wake you up at night?

Your provider will perform a physical exam, checking:

• Kneecap and knee stability.
• Alignment of lower leg, kneecap and thigh.
• Range of motion of hips and knees.
• Thigh muscle strength, flexibility, firmness.

Your provider may order imaging tests including X-rays or a CT scan or MRI .

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My Knee Hurts When Bending: What To Do

1. Manage the Pain

Knee pain is usually the result of inflammation a natural response from your immune system to damaged joint tissue. Pain and inflammation are completely normal and necessary for proper joint healing. Despite being natural joint inflammation can negatively influence your quality of life. Your knee may hurt so much that it makes day to day tasks difficult. In such cases, reducing inflammation with NSAIDs, the R.I.C.E. method and exercise are often used to manage pain in the short-term.

2. Get a Professional Knee Exam

Getting your knee assessed by a healthcare professional is crucial. This is even more important if you have suffered a traumatic knee injury. A definitive diagnosis will give you peace of mind and help expedite the healing process.

3. Try Different Treatments

If you are lucky, your knee pain may get better on its own with rest. However, more than likely you will need to engage in rehab exercises to overcome the injury. Physiotherapists specialize in providing specific exercises and treatment regimes that increase the strength, stability, and mobility of your joint.

When To Go To A Doctor

Pay a visit to your doctor if the pain doesnt get better after a few days. Also, if the pain doesnt let you sleep or you cant walk because of it.

The doctor may request a magnetic resonance imaging test first. Depending on your symptoms, they may need blood tests as well.

These results combined with a thorough physical exam will provide a diagnosis.

Then, the physician will suggest some treatment options.

For mild or moderate injuries, they may prescribe anti-inflammatories. Theyll probably make a referral to physical therapy as well.

Depending on the root cause of pain, your doctor may suggest wearing some type of supportive shoes. This can be the case if you also have a foot injury.

If your symptoms dont improve, they may consider cortisone injections for pain relief.

Severe injuries or persistent symptoms may need surgical intervention. The type of knee surgery will depend on your diagnosis.

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Who Is At Risk For Pfs

PFS often impacts athletes and those who engage in running, basketball, and other sports. Women are especially vulnerable to PFS, particularly at a younger age. This thought to be partially due to the greater likelihood of patellar malalignment in females, in addition to muscular imbalances.

PFS is most symptomatic during positions when the knee is flexed, such as after sitting for a prolonged period time, exercises that required deep squatting, or, most commonly, climbing stairs. Strengthening the muscles around your hips and quadriceps and stretching your iliotibial band, hamstrings, and quadriceps can help relieve strain on your knee.

Diagnosis Of Inner Knee Pain

Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and when they started, as well as your medical history. They will also carry out a physical examination of your knee to check for swelling and instability, as well as to assess the range of movement in your knee.

They may then recommend imaging tests such as an X-ray or MRI scan to more closely examine the bones and tissues of your knee. They may also recommend blood tests to check for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and infections.

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Treating Knee Pain When Bending

The best treatment for knee pain when bending will depend on the underlying cause of your knee pain. In most cases it will involve:

You will find loads more information on the different conditions we have looked at including the best ways to treat knee pain when bending by using the links above.Here we have looked at the most common causes of knee pain when bending, but almost any problem with the knee can result in pain as you move it. If none of these is sounding quite right, visit the knee pain diagnosis section for more help work out what is causing your bending knee pain.

Professional Help For Knee Injuries

• Aspiration if the knee joint is grossly swollen, the doctor may release the pressure by drawing off some of the fluid with a fine needle.
• Physiotherapy including techniques to reduce pain, kneecap taping, exercises for increased mobility and strength, and associated rehabilitation techniques.
• Arthroscopic surgery or keyhole surgery, where the knee operation is performed by inserting slender instruments through small incisions . Cartilage tears are often treated with arthroscopic surgery.
• Open surgery required when the injuries are more severe and the entire joint needs to be laid open for repair.

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How Is Knee Pain In Teens Treated

Treatments depend on the cause of your teens pain.

Pain from overuse and general knee pain management tips include:

• Apply ice to the knee. Ice, wrapped in a towel, relieves inflammation and swelling. Apply up to 20 minutes at a time.
• Take anti-inflammatories, such as ibuprofen , naproxen or aspirin, to reduce pain and swelling.
• Rest. Rest allows tissue to heal. Your teen should take some time off from the activity that caused the pain.
• Use compression around your knee if prescribed by your healthcare provider or physical therapist.
• Elevate the knee to reduce swelling. Keep the injured knee elevated above the level of the heart anytime your teen is sitting or icing their knee.
• Follow through with the physical therapy plan. Physical therapy can help relieve pain, reduce swelling, increase strength and flexibility, improve range of motion, increase speed and endurance and improve coordination and balance. Physical therapists teach strengthening and stretching exercises and can suggest braces, insoles or other orthotics as appropriate.
• Lose weight if overweight. Extra weight puts strain on the knee joint.

Osgood-Schlatter disease:

• Take anti-inflammatories to reduce pain.
• Apply ice to reduce pain and swelling.
• Commit to an exercise program.
• Relieve pain and discomfort through electrotherapy and/or hydrotherapy .

Sindling-Larsen Johansson syndrome:

• Soft tissue treatments, including myofascial release, trigger points, massage.

Ligament treatment:

Do More Physical Activity

A sedentary lifestyle not only causes knee pain but other health issues as well. From muscle stiffness to increasing your risk of heart attacks.

You can prevent this by doing more physical activity. Walking is a great option. For example, a 10-minute brisk walk can improve your overall health.

Now, what about physical activity during work?

Try taking the stairs instead of the elevator when possible. Adding a portable pedal is a good idea as well. That way, you can move your legs under your desk while working.

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What Is The Long

Some knee pain, especially pain caused by osteoarthritis, will likely be permanent. Thats because the structure of the knee is damaged. Without surgery or another type of extensive treatment, youll continue to feel pain, inflammation, and swelling in your knee.

The long-term outlook for chronic knee pain involves managing pain, preventing flare-ups, and working to reduce irritation to the knee.

Prevention Tips For Knee Injuries

• Warm up joints and muscles by gently going through the motions of your sport or activity and stretching muscles.
• Wear appropriate footwear.
• Avoid sudden jarring motions.
• Try to turn on the balls of your feet when youre changing direction, rather than twisting through your knees.
• Cool down after exercise by performing light, easy and sustained stretches
• Build up an exercise program slowly over time.

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Who Gets Pfp Syndrome

Patellofemoral pain syndrome usually happens in people who do sports that involve a lot of knee bending and straightening, such as running, biking, and skiing. It also can happen to people, particularly young women, who do not do a lot of sports.

PFP syndrome is more common in women and happens most often to teens and young adults.

Tight or weak leg muscles or flat feet can make someone more likely to get PFP syndrome.

Years Of Wear And Tear Can Take A Toll On Your Knees But There Are Strategies To Relieve Pain

Whether it’s a sharp pain or a dull ache, knee pain is a common problem in women particularly older women. One study of women ages 50 and older, published in Arthritis & Rheumatism, found that nearly two-thirds had some type of knee pain during the 12-year study period.

Dr. Rebecca Breslow, a sports medicine doctor and an instructor in orthopedic surgery at Harvard Medical School, says many of the active older women and the female athletes she sees in her practice have knee pain. While there are numerous pain-inducing knee conditions, three seem to be the most common culprits in older women:

• patellofemoral pain

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How To Prevent Knee Pain When Bending

Before you begin having serious problems with your knees, there are prevention tips to incorporate into your daily living.

• Strengthen knee muscles with exercises for the thighs
• Always stretch before and after a workout or exercise routine
• Do strength training exercises for your back and abdominal muscles
• Use proper posture when performing tasks, sitting, standing, and walking
• If standing for prolong periods, shift weight from one foot to the other or alternate feet using a foot rest
• Avoid placing strain on knees with bending or squatting by using proper techniques
• Follow a healthy diet to maintain good health of the muscles

Having knee pain when bending can limit your daily activities and may lead to further complications. Our knees allow us to move in many ways, and we depend on the proper functioning of the kneeâs many components. An injury or disease to any part of the knee can be debilitating. Good health and strengthening exercises for the knee joint and its connecting partners are key to maintaining pain-free movement.

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Where Does Your Knee Hurt

Knee pain on the front of the jointcould be patellar arthritis or patellar tendonitis. These conditions tend to hurt when bending the knee, kneeling and/or squatting. Typically the deeper the knee bend the worse it will hurt.

Pain on the lateral or outside of the knee is common in runners.Iliotibial band syndromeis one of the most common knee ailments affecting the lateral aspect of the knee.

The discomfort localized to the medial or inside of the knee could indicate tibiofemoral arthritis or meniscal irritation.

Nagging pain or pressure that is localized to the back of the knee could be a sign that youve damaged your meniscus. It is also possible that you irritated the popliteal muscleand surrounding area.

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