There are many different causes of knee pain, ranging from injury to surgery to medical conditions. However it comes, most people will experience knee pain at some point in their lives. Here you can learn more about the most common conditions and injuries that cause severe knee pain. It’s important to effectively treat any injury you may have that is causing it so it doesn’t progress. Miller PT is ready to help you diagnose and treat your pain so you can return to normal life, and continue doing what you love every day.
Most people experience knee pain at some point in their lives. Sports, exercise, and other activities can cause muscle strains, tendinitis, and more serious injuries to ligaments and cartilage.
It’s difficult to pinpoint the exact number of people who experience knee pain over their lifetime, but we do know the rates of how many people experience pain severe enough to turn to knee replacement surgery: In 2017, 966,000 knee replacement surgeries were performed in the United States.
The severity of knee pain can vary widely and depends on factors such as the cause and your age. For some, knee pain can be so severe that it limits daily activities. For others, mild knee pain may be a chronic hindrance to the active lifestyle they desire. The location of knee pain can also vary.
For example, the Clinical Journal of PainTrusted Source found that the most commonly reported location of knee pain is in the middle of the knee, in the joint that connects the thighbone to the shinbone. The second most common area people experience knee pain is in the kneecap area. Some people experience a combination of the two.
Here are some of the most common conditions and injuries that cause severe knee pain.
If you have an injury to the ligaments in your knee, you can experience knee pain. The ligaments are what connect your thigh bone (femur) to your lower leg bones (tibia and fibula). They hold these bones together and keep the knee stable.
Knee ligament sprains and tears are very common sports injuries, and can occur to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), and medial collateral ligament (MCL).
Knee ligament injuries may also occur from high-energy accidents, such as a car crash.
The ACL ligament is the main ligament that runs through the middle of the joint between the thighbone and shinbone. ACL ruptures are the most common type of ligament injury in athletes.
ACL tears can occur as a result of an injury from movements that occur in sports, such as:
Symptoms of a knee ligament injury can include:
Any ligament injury can result in severe knee pain and could require surgery.
Other injuries, including tears, can take place in the cartilage of the knee.
Cartilage is a semi-hard (tough, but flexible) tissue that covers the end of your bones. In addition, knee cartilage also includes the two menisci on either side of the joint: the medial meniscus, located on the inside of the knee, and the lateral meniscus, positioned on the outside of the knee.
A meniscus tear is a common injury, and typically requires surgery. Unlike a ligament injury, which can happen in a variety of ways, a meniscus tear typically occurs as a result of one single movement. For instance, a sudden twist or turn can cause this knee cartilage to tear.
Meniscus tears are more common as you age, because the cartilage gets weaker and thins out, so it’s more likely to tear. Symptoms of a cartilage tear in the knee can include:
Arthritis is a condition that causes inflammation and pain in joints in the body, but it most often occurs in the knee. Arthritis is a chronic condition that can get worse over time and eventually require surgery.
The three most common types of arthritis are rheumatoid arthritis, post-traumatic arthritis, and osteoarthritis.
Symptoms of arthritis in the knee include:
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition that causes the tissue around the joint to become inflamed and thickened. Chronic inflammation often leads to damage and loss of cartilage.
Rheumatoid arthritis occurs in about 0.6 percent of the U.S. population and is two to three times more common in women.
Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are similar to other types of arthritis in the knee:
Post-traumatic arthritis can result after a serious knee injury, including bone fractures and ligament tears. Injuries such as a broken bone can wear down the joint surface and cause arthritis over time.
Knee injuries can damage the cartilage in your knee as you get older, leading to the following symptoms:
The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis, which is a progressive wearing of the cartilage in the knee joint. It occurs more frequently in people age 50 and older.
After 50, the impact of osteoarthritis can worsen due to accumulated use and the wearing down of cartilage that occurs with age.
Osteoarthritis is often the result of bone rubbing on bone, and yes, that’s as painful as it sounds. Osteoarthritis can also be caused by age, weight, genetics, previous injuries, infections, illness (such as a tumor or gout), and certain occupations, such as construction and manufacturing.
Osteoarthritis of the knee symptoms include:
According to a 2018 study in Arthritis Research & Therapy, knee pain that lasts more than 1 year is commonly associated with osteoarthritis.
Doctors diagnose arthritis and other knee problems using X-rays and a physical evaluation. You will be asked about your pain level, knee flexibility and function, activity levels, any past injuries or conditions, and your family history (such as if anyone in your family has arthritis).
Medical professionals will also use special tests to identify the type of arthritis affecting your knee. These tests could include:
Bloodwork can check for an anti-CCP antibody, which can indicate rheumatoid arthritis. Other antibodies can be related to a more widespread disorder, such as lupus, with inflammation throughout the whole body.
Doctors can have fluid drawn from the actual knee joint to examine it. If the fluid has uric acid crystals in it, it can indicate that gout is causing the inflammation and pain. The presence of bacteria indicates an infection is the source of these symptoms.
X-rays can help identify signs of arthritis, such as if the space between the bones is narrower, if there are any bone spurs, or if the joint isn’t aligned correctly.
CAT scans and MRI scans produce more detailed images of the bones and soft tissues, respectively, so they are used more to diagnosis injuries and unexplained swelling. For instance, if your doctor suspects a cartilage or ligament tear, they will most likely order an MRI scan.
Knee pain usually becomes worse as arthritis progresses. Many people with severe pain from arthritis choose to have surgery to relieve their symptoms and help repair the joint.
But surgery isn’t right for everyone. Some of the more conservative options for treating knee pain from arthritis include medication and at-home strategies like exercise.
The exact treatment plan that’s recommended for your knee pain will depend on factors such as severity of your pain, your age, your activity levels, and any other medical conditions you have.
Typically, your doctor will try the least invasive type of treatment, such as weight loss and medication, and then move down the line to consider surgery.
Because there are many considerations before turning to surgery, it’s crucial to discuss and explore all treatment options with your doctor.
The two primary types of surgery to treat knee arthritis are osteotomy and knee replacement.
Osteotomy is mostly used in younger, more active people as a way to delay needing a joint replacement. The surgery involves cutting the bones and realigning them to help improve function and decrease pain.
If the arthritis is only located in one area of the knee, a doctor can perform a partial knee replacement to replace only the affected area. If the whole knee is involved, a total knee replacement can be performed.
There are many different causes of knee pain, ranging from injury to medical conditions. But no matter what kind of knee pain you’re dealing with, have your knee evaluated by a doctor to make sure you don’t have a serious injury or disorder causing the pain.
It’s important to treat any injury or condition you may have that is causing your knee pain. It’s also important to recognize that you don’t have to live with knee pain — a health provider may be able to recommend tools to relieve your pain, such as physical therapy or medication.
You don’t have to live with knee pain — Miller PT has powerful tools and experts ready to relieve your discomfort. With some physical therapy, you can overcome your limitations and increase your mobility. Schedule an appointment today at (561) 278-6055 or find us on Facebook. PLUS - Don’t forget we have in-home PT, so we can also come to you!
Reference: [https://www.healthline.com/health/causes-of-severe-knee-pain-leading-to-knee-replacement#treatment]
