Knee pain causes

Medically Reviewed By : Dr Sravya, MBBS, MS

Why do we get knee pain?

Knee pain is common among people these days in the age group of 30 to 80
years old. Knee pain may be the result of a small muscle strain or ligament
rupture, but it can also be due to tendonitis or arthritis. Knee pain may also begin
with mild discomfort, then slowly get worse. Let’s answer our readers’ most
asked question: What causes knee pain? What are the symptoms and
diagnosis of the pain? How could we relieve the knee pain?

In This Article

What is the structure of th knee?

The knee joint is a pivot-type synovial joint, which mostly allows for flexion and expansion (and a little level of medial and lateral rotation). It is shaped by verbalizations between the patella, femur, and tibia.

1.Articulating Surfaces

The knee joint comprises two enunciations: tibiofemoral and patellofemoral. The joint surfaces are fixed with hyaline ligaments and are encased inside a single joint hole.

Tibiofemoral: The Medial and lateral condyles of the femur articulate with the tibial condyles. It is the weight-bearing part of the knee joint.
Patellofemoral: The Anterior (front) part of the distal femur verbalizes with the patella. It permits the ligament of the quadriceps femoris (knee extensor) to be embedded straight over the knee, expanding the productivity of the muscle.
As the patella is both framed and lives inside the quadriceps femoris ligament, it gives support to expand the force of the knee extensor and fills in as a settling structure that lessens frictional forces put on the femoral condyles.

2.Neurovascular Supply

Exercise plays a pivotal role in strengthening muscles, increasing flexibility, reducing the risk of injuries, and alleviating elbow pain by promoting blood flow and reducing inflammation.

3.Menisci

The medial and lateral menisci are fibrocartilage structures in the knee that serve two capabilities:

To extend the articular surface of the tibia, in this way expanding the dependability of the joint.
To go about as safeguards by expanding surface region to additionally scatter powers.
They are C-shaped and joined at the two ends of the intercondylar region of the tibia.
In addition to the intercondylar connection, the medial meniscus is fixed to the tibial collateral ligament and the joint case. Damage to the tibial collateral ligament results from a medial meniscal tear. The parallel meniscus is more modest and has no additional connections, making it genuinely portable.

4.Bursae

A bursa is a synovial liquid-filled sac tracked down between moving designs in a joint, determined to lessen mileage on those designs. There are four bursae found in the knee joint:

Suprapatellar bursa: an expansion of the synovial hole of the knee, situated between the quadriceps femoris and the femur.
Prepatellar bursa: tracked down between the zenith of the patella and the skin
Infrapatellar bursa: split into profound and shallow. The profound bursa lies between the tibia and the patella tendon. The superficial lies between the patella tendon and the skin.
Semimembranosus bursa: found posteriorly in the knee joint, between the semimembranosus muscle and the average top of the gastrocnemius.

5.Ligament

The significant ligaments in the knee joint are:

Patellar ligament: a continuation of the quadriceps femoris ligament distal to the patella. It attaches to the tibial tuberosity.
Collateral ligaments: two tie-like ligaments They act to balance out the pivot movement of the knee, forestalling unnecessary average or sidelong development
Tibal (medial) collateral ligament: wide and level tendon, tracked down on the average side of the joint. Proximally, it appends to the average epicondyle of the femur; distally, it joins the average condyle of the tibia.
Fibular lateral collateral ligament: more slender and rounder than the tibial insurance, this connects proximally to the parallel epicondyle of the femur; distally, it joins a downturn on the sidelong surface of the fibular head.
Cruciate ligaments: these two tendons interface the femur and the tibia. In doing so, they cross one another, resulting in the term 'cruciate' (Latin for like a cross)
The anterior cruciate ligament connects at the foremost intercondylar district of the tibia, where it mixes with the average meniscus. It rises posteriorly to connect to the femur in the intercondylar fossa. It prevents the foremost disengagement of the tibia from the femur.
Posterior cruciate ligament: appends at the back intercondylar locale of the tibia and climbs anteriorly to join the anteromedial femoral condyle. It prevents the disengagement of the tibia from the femur.

6.Movements

There are four main movements that the knee joint permits:

Extension: Produced by the quadriceps femoris, which inserts into the tibial tuberosity.
Flexion: Produced by the hamstrings, gracilis, sartorius, and popliteus.
Lateral rotation: Produced by the biceps femoris
Medial rotation: Produced by five muscles: semimembranosus, semitendinosus, gracilis, and popliteus.

What are the causes of knee pain?

Knee pain can have different causes, such as being overweight, which puts you at greater risk for knee problems, and Overusing your knee, which can trigger knee problems that cause pain. If you have a history of arthritis, it could also cause knee pain.

Some of the causes of knee pain are:

1.Inflammatory conditions

Arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, lupus, and gout
Baker cyst: a fluid-filled swelling behind the knee that may occur with swelling (inflammation) from other causes, such as arthritis
Cancers that either spread to your bones or begin in the bones
Osgood-Schlatter disease- It can cause a painful bump below the knee, where a tendon from the kneecap connects to the shin.
Infection in the bones around the knee
Infection in the knee joint

2.Injuries and overuse

Bursitis: inflammation from repeated pressure on the knee, such as kneeling for a long time, overuse, or injury
Tendinitis: Inflammation of the tendon with change in activity can be related to overuse or deconditioned tissue
Dislocation of the patella (kneecap)
Fracture of the patella (kneecap or other bones)
Iliotibial band syndrome: injury to the thick band that runs from your hip to the outside of your knee
Patellofemoral syndrome: pain in the front of your knee around the kneecap
Rupture ligament: An anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury or medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury may cause bleeding into your knee, swelling, or an unstable knee
Torn cartilage (a meniscus tear) pain felt on the inside or outside of the knee joint
Strain or sprain: minor injuries to the ligaments caused by sudden or unnatural twisting.

what are the symptoms of knee?

Swelling and stiffness
Putting weight on the knee is troubling.
Weakness or instability
Pain, usually when you bend or straighten the knee
Popping or crunching noises
Redness and warmth around the joint
Problem with Knee locking.

How can the cause of the pain diagnosed?

X-ray of the knee: This test uses invisible electromagnetic energy beams to make images of internal tissues, bones, and organs onto film
MRI of the knee to determine if a ligament or meniscus tear could be the cause
CT scan of the knee: this test uses X-rays and computer technology to show detailed images of any part of the body, including the bones, muscles, fat, and organs. CT scans are more detailed than general X- rays.
Joint fluid culture (fluid taken from the knee and examined under a microscope)
Arthroscopy is A minimally invasive diagnostic and treatment procedure used for conditions of the joint. This procedure uses a small, lighted optic tube (arthroscope), which is inserted into the joint through a small incision in the joint. Images of the inside of the joint are projected onto a screen and used to evaluate any degenerative or arthritic changes in the joint, detect bone diseases and tumors, and determine the cause of bone pain and inflammation.
Radionuclide bone nuclear imaging is a technique that uses a very small amount of radioactive material that is injected into the patient's bloodstream to be detected by a scanner. This test shows blood flow to the bone and cell activity within the bone.
Ultrasound: This technology uses sound waves to produce real-time images of the soft tissue structures within and around your knee.

What treatment is used to relieve knee pain?

1.RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation).

Rest your knee. Take a few days off from intense activity.
Ice it to curb pain and swelling. Do it for 15 to 20 minutes every 3 to 4 hours. Keep doing it for 2 to 3 days, or until the pain is gone.
Compress your knee. Use an elastic bandage, straps, or sleeves to wrap the joint. It will keep swelling down or add support.
Elevate your knee with a pillow under your heel when you're sitting or lying down to cut down on swelling.

2.Medication-

2.Bandage.

Conclusion:

Knee pain is a common issue that can significantly affect a person’s life and mobility. While various factors can cause knee pain, such as injury and inflammation, ranging from mild to severe pain, it is essential to get the diagnosis done by a medical professional and receive the proper treatment.