Knee pain is one of the most common complaints among both athletes and non-athletes. Sources of knee pain include ligament sprains, muscle strains, bruises, and even fractures. In addition, inflammation in the form of arthritis, tendinitis, or bursitis may be the culprit. Quite frequently, a person can develop knee pain without recalling an actual injury.
If you develop knee pain and don’t know what it is, many possibilities exist. Tendinitis refers to inflammation of a tendon, the area where a muscle attaches to bone. Bursitis is inflammation of the small fluid sacs which help to lubricate joints, while arthritis refers to inflammation of the surfaces of bones which are normally smooth and glide painlessly upon one another during movement. There are numerous possible causes for all of these forms of inflammation, including trauma, overuse, strain, and the various forms of arthritis which are too numerous to mention here.
One of the more commonly reported maladies of the knee is referred to as anterior knee pain, or “patellofemoral” pain. This can be caused by a slight misalignment between the kneecap (patella) and the rest of the knee. Often, this pain develops following a change in activity (or sport) or even from wearing a worn out pair of shoes for too long! The trick to eliminating the pain, is, of course, finding the cause. If the cause is not obvious or the pain severe, you should contact a health care professional for assistance.
Self-treatment for minor knee discomfort includes ice (20 minutes at a time),decreased activity, and application of over-the counter anti-inflammatory cremes. If you use an elastic knee support, it should not be applied too tightly or overnight: you’ll end up with a swollen foot or ankle due to compression of blood vessels behind your knee. Medical treatment could involve drugs, injections, and sometimes surgery. Physical therapy treatment can include taping, temporary bracing, ultrasound, infrared cold laser and instruction in specific exercises to stretch tight muscles and strengthen weak muscles around your knee. In addition, electrical stimulation to some of the knee muscles has been shown to help in many cases.
