Knee pain

Knee pain is one of the most common unpleasant sensations that every person has experienced at least once. The progression of the disease, which can cause pain, is caused by the fact that the human knee consists of many structures and every day they are all subjected to enormous loads. Damage can affect one of the ligaments or tendons, or specific fluid-filled sacs, as well as cartilage. This symptom can be a signal of disease not only in relation to the knee, but also general diseases of the organism or system.

It is also necessary to distinguish with which movements the pain occurs, for example, pain in the knee during bending is characteristic of people who lead an active lifestyle, and often speaks of a violation of the structure of joints and bones. Such cramps usually occur in the later stages of the disease, when it is impossible without treatment with the help of surgery. Knee pain and squeaking often occur during squats, which may indicate the removal of cartilage tissue (mostly observed in athletes due to constant running). Inside pain occurs due to various joint pathologies or the appearance of neoplasms. The appearance of pain after childbirth is caused by the fact that in pregnancy a woman's body has undergone many changes that could lead to the development of some diseases.

It is important to determine why the pain in the knee joint is pronounced, because some diseases can be cured only with the help of surgical intervention, and for some the use of traditional medicine will be sufficient.

Etiology

As already mentioned, there are many reasons why knees hurt, and they are not always directly related to injuries, diseases and bruises of the knee joint. The first group of factors consists of disorders that directly affect the knee joint, including:

• Gonarthrosis is a disorder that most commonly affects people over the age of forty. The pathology usually affects both knees. The main symptom is pain and squeaking during extensions and squats. The cramps are sharp and sharp. The degree of intensity decreases when you lie down;
• entry of blood into the joint cavity;
• meniscus damage can occur at any age, regardless of gender. Often only one knee is affected. This disease is characterized by the manifestation of severe squeaking and pain in the knee when bending or after running. In addition, the person loses the ability to move, because he experiences unbearable pain at the slightest movement of the leg;
• arthritis - the disorder develops very quickly, the inflammatory process spreads to the knee joints of both feet. It is best to start treatment as soon as possible because the disease has spread to other joints;
• violation of the integrity of the ligaments due to rupture, most often the inner ligament is subject to it, much less often on the lateral. In this case, there is swelling and limitation of motor functions;
• various tendonitis - the cause of which is caused by many reasons, for example, infectious diseases or the influence of bacteria, trauma or bruising, drug allergies or abnormalities in body structure. In such disorders, pain in the knee from the inside is expressed;
• patella displacement or dislocation - occurs very rarely and mainly in children or athletes, after intense exertion or running;
• inflammatory process in the joint sac. In case of untimely treatment, complications can occur, which will have to be eliminated only with the help of medical intervention;
• pathological processes in the synovial membrane covering the joint;
• the appearance of a cyst on the inner side of the knee joint leads to pain below the knee in the back;
• destroying the integrity of adipose tissue covering the joint. Externally it manifests itself in the form of swelling of the injured knee;
• osteoarthritis, in which cartilage tissue becomes thinner;
• various infectious diseases whose course can lead to arthritis. Knee pain is pronounced while walking, as well as after squats;
• bone tuberculosis;
• pathologies of the spine cause a feeling that the knee hurts when walking;
• metabolic disorders or salt deposition in the knee often lead to knee pain when squatting.

The second group of reasons are other influences that cause pain in the knee joint:

• excessive body weight;
• external injuries or bruises of the knee joint;
• working conditions due to which a person is forced to be on his feet for several hours in a row;
• intense physical activity - that is why this disorder is most often observed in professional athletes, for example, after running;
• improper posture during work;
• wearing uncomfortable high-heeled shoes.

There are several reasons why a woman has knee pain during pregnancy:

• weight gain (in some cases up to twenty pounds);
• lack of calcium and other minerals in the body;
• production of a specific hormone that softens ligament tissue.

After childbirth, all the unpleasant sensations should disappear on their own, but if this does not happen, you should consult a doctor, as this may be a sign of the above diseases. A woman after childbirth may have knee pain when squatting, getting up, and stretching. This is for the following reasons:

• intense muscle work during childbirth;
• involuntary sudden movement during the birth of a baby can cause dislocation;
• if the woman had various diseases of the musculoskeletal system before giving birth;
• when breastfeeding a baby, fluid accumulates in a woman's body, which negatively affects the joints, which is why pain is felt when getting up and stretching the knees.

Symptoms

In addition to the pronounced signs - pain of varying intensity and squeaking when squatting, this manifestation has additional symptoms characteristic of the disease, due to which the knee hurts when walking or other leg movements:

• sleep disorders;
• increased body temperature;
• reduced or complete lack of appetite;
• stiffness of movement;
• increased pain when walking. There is a significant improvement in sitting or lying down;
• noticeable swelling of the injured knee - can be noticed from the inside;
• inability to transfer weight to a sore limb;
• patella deformation;
• discoloration of the skin on the knee;
• fever.

When the first signs appear, you must immediately contact a medical institution for diagnosis and appointment of effective treatment.

Diagnosis

Since many disorders provoke the fact that the knee hurts when walking, after running, squatting and getting up, the diagnosis should consist of:

• detailed examination of the patient for the appearance of the first symptoms, intensity of pain, place of its appearance (outside or inside), possible causes (for example, when walking, after running or childbirth), which causes pain;
• palpation of the knee by a physician to find out a more complete picture of the localization of pain, as well as to recognize swelling;
• analysis of the patient's blood for general and biochemical research;
• radiography - in which all pathologies of the knee structure will be clearly visible;
• fluid sampling by puncture - is performed if the doctor suspects bone tuberculosis;
• puncture of fluid from the knee joint;
• arthroscopy - is performed in cases of meniscus injury that causes knee pain from the inside. This method is performed not only for diagnosis, but also during treatment;
• measurement of bone density;
• Knee ultrasound;
• examinations of patients using MRI and CT.

Treatment

There is no single way to cure all diseases and disorders. The method of treatment for each patient is prescribed individually and depends on the cause and severity of cramps, whether the knee hurts when walking, after running, squatting or getting up. Methods of treatment prescribed to all patients without exception, including postpartum women:

• reducing the load on the lower extremities, so that not the slightest symptoms appear;
• imposing a fixation bandage on the injured knee;
• warming the knees with fat or warming pads. According to the doctor's recommendation, cold compresses are used, but not longer than fifteen minutes a day;
• anti-inflammatory drugs.

If necessary, treatment is carried out by surgical intervention.

In addition, there are alternative therapies that can reduce the onset of symptoms, but can only be used after consulting a doctor. Such pain treatments include:

• iodine network;
• compress of own urine;
• a mixture of raw potatoes with kerosene;
• lotions of apple cider vinegar mixed with egg yolk;
• chopped potato fat with horseradish;
• arch wrap, for this you need to halve it and apply in half on the outside and inside of the knee;
• cologne and dandelion solution;
• tinctures of elecampane root and alcohol;
• wrap of black elderberry, chamomile and pine bread;
• marigold lotion;
• a mixture of mustard and honey.

Folk remedies are not recommended for women during pregnancy and after childbirth, when the baby is breastfeeding.

Prophylaxis

To avoid knee pain when walking, after running or squatting, you need:

• adhere to a healthy lifestyle;
• always monitor your posture;
• maintain your own body weight normal;
• warm up the muscles before training, to avoid knee cramps after running and exercising;
• wear only comfortable shoes;
• timely treat all diseases that can lead to this disorder;
• undergo a routine examination at the clinic several times a year;
• perform gymnastics if the lifestyle or working conditions of the person are in a standing or sitting position;
• avoid hypothermia;
• at the first symptoms, especially after childbirth or running, consult a doctor.