Possible Causes Of Pain On Outside Of Knee
1. Iliotibial Band Syndrome
Repeated knee bending exercises like cycling and running can result in overuse syndromes. Iliotibial band syndrome is among such conditions and it causes the pain as a result of irritation iliotibial band . Irritation is as a result of constant rubbing against the outer part of the knee bone. The pain is more intense when walking on an inclined surface. Factors that contribute to overuse include insufficient stretching, poor training, unbalanced thigh muscle strength and inappropriate footwear as well as flat feet.
2. Patellofemoral Syndrome
It occurs as a result of an imbalance in the muscle responsible for the alignment of the knee. When this happens, the kneecap rubs against the thigh bone causing the pain. Mostly, pain is experienced on the front part of the knee, but there are occasions when the pain is felt on outside of knee when the friction is on the outside of the bone. Pain is experienced when sitting, squatting, jumping and climbing stairs.
3. Knee Osteoarthritis
4. Lateral Collateral Ligament Injury
5. Lateral Meniscus Tear
6. Runners Knee
This condition mostly affects runners and other athletes who bend their knees a lot. You will experience pain around and behind the knee cap specifically where the knee cap and the thigh bone meet. Walking, kneeling and running become painful when you have this condition. The knee will have popping or grinding sensations. Swelling might occur as well as pain when walking on inclined surfaces.
What Questions Should I Ask My Healthcare Provider About Lcl Tears
Consider asking the following questions when you see your healthcare provider:
- What grade is my LCL tear?
- Whats the best treatment for me?
- How long should I use crutches?
- How long should I wear a brace?
- How soon can I return to sports?
- Do I need physical therapy?
- What dosage of NSAIDs should I take?
- Do I need surgery?
Prevention Of Lcl Injury
If you have had a previous LCL injury, youâre at a greater risk of getting another one in the future. Itâs therefore very important that you take precautions to prevent another tear from occurring. Here are some things that you can do:
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Wear a knee brace during athletic activity like football or skiing. This supports the ligaments in the knee area and reduces side-to-side movement.
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Use correct techniques when doing sports and other physical activities. Positioning and aligning your knee the right way during these activities helps prevent LCL injuries, especially when jumping, lifting, and pivoting.
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Do stretches and conditioning exercises before practicing or participating in a game. These will help to strengthen the legs and areas around the knee, as well as to improve flexibility and reduce the risk of an LCL injury.
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How Is An Acl Injury Diagnosed
Your consultant will discuss your symptoms with you and examine your knee to check for tenderness, stiffness, swelling and any other problems. He may also ask you to move your knee into different positions to assess your range of movement and the function of the joint.
In most cases, they will arrange for you to have an X-ray to confirm the diagnosis. He will also arrange for you to have a magnetic resonance imaging scan to show the extent of the injury and any damage to the surrounding tissues.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries
The ACL is one of the main stabilising ligaments in the knee, connecting the thighbone to the shin bone. ACL injuries are increasingly common, particularly during sports such as football, tennis, squash, rugby and skiing, and currently affect around 40,000 people in the UK each year, including increasing numbers of children.
The ACL is in the middle of the knee and controls rotation as well as the forward movement of the shin on the thigh bone. If its torn, the knee becomes unstable when it is twisted and can give way, as well as losing its full range of movement. As the knee gives way, the delicate structures inside it, as well as the joint surface and meniscal cartilages, frequently become damaged.
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Treatment For Lateral Collateral Ligament Injury
Youll usually need to go to A& E with this kind of injury, where theyll examine you and take some X-rays of your knee. They may then refer you to an acute knee clinic, which will organise any investigations and treatment you need.
The treatment youre offered for your LCL injury will depend on how severe the damage is, and if youve injured any other parts of your knee. The initial treatment will be to control your pain and swelling using the POLICE and HARM self-help measures . Further treatments include knee bracing, physiotherapy, medicines, and sometimes, surgery.
You may see an orthopaedic surgeon or a sports medicine professional, such as a sports doctor or a physiotherapist. There are different treatments that your doctor or physiotherapist may suggest, and a lot that you can do yourself to help your recovery.
Iliotibial Band & Popliteus Tendon
There are two tendons on the outside of the knee including the terminus of the Iliotibial Band where it inserts into tibia as well as the popliteus tendon. The ITB begins on the outside of the pelvis and hip and travels down the outside of the leg. See my video below to find out more about that structure. If you have chronically tight ITBs, this can eventually cause painful tendinopathy here. Another tendon that can cause outside knee pain is the popliteus which has its muscle belly on the back of the knee . This tendon can get damaged or beat up as well.
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How Is A Tear Of The Lateral Collateral Ligament Treated
Lateral collateral ligament tears do not heal as well as medial collateral ligament tears do. Grade 3 lateral collateral ligament tears may require surgery.
In some cases, all that is required is rest, wearing a brace, taking pain relievers such as ibuprofen and having physical therapy.
Your doctor may recommend that you wear a lightweight cast or brace that allows your knee to move backward and forward but restricts side-to-side movement. This is usually worn for 72 hours. Depending on how well it reduces your pain and swelling, you may be able to start a rehabilitative program in a few days.
When the pain and swelling have gone down, you should be able to start exercises to restore strength and range of motion to your knee. If you still have soreness while doing these exercises, go slowly to prevent further irritation. It may take up to eight weeks to fully recover, depending on the grade of your injury.
If the lateral collateral ligament was torn where it attaches to the thighbone or shinbone , the surgeon will reattach the ligament to the bone using large stitches or a metal bone staple.
If the tear happened in the middle of the ligament, the surgeon will typically sew the torn ends together.
If the damage was so severe it cannot be repaired, your surgeon may reconstruct a tendon by using a graft taken from a tendon of your thigh muscles or your hamstrings.
What Causes A Tear Of The Lateral Collateral Ligament
Tears to the lateral collateral ligament most often occur from a direct blow to the inside of the knee. This can stretch the ligaments on the outside of the near too far and may cause them to tear. This type of injury occurs in sports that require a lot of quick stops and turns such as soccer, basketball and skiing, or ones where there are violent collisions, such as football and hockey.
The ligament can also be injured by repeated stress that causes it to lose its normal elasticity. Most knee injuries are to the ligaments that support the knee, not the knee joint itself.
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What Is The Back Of Your Knee Called
popliteal fossaAnatomical terminology The popliteal fossa is a shallow depression located at the back of the knee joint. The bones of the popliteal fossa are the femur and the tibia.
What is the bone called below your kneecap?
It is also known as the calf bone, as it sits slightly behind the tibia on the outside of the leg. Although it does not directly affect the knees movement, the fibula is connected via ligaments to the two ends of the tibia.
Tendon Pain Behind The Knee: Causes Treatment And More
Tendon pain behind the knee is a common condition that can be caused by a variety of things, including overuse, injury, or arthritis. Treatment options vary depending on the severity of the pain, but may include rest, ice, heat, and anti-inflammatory medications. In more severe cases, surgery may be necessary.
There are many people who are able to treat knee tendonitis on their own by using RICE therapy , as well as over-the-counter pain relievers. Some people may require professional help to overcome their condition.
Pain in the anterior knee can sometimes be felt from the front of the knee or from the spine. In addition to Bakers cyst, arthritis, infection, injury, tumors, and deep vein thrombosis are frequently the sources of pain behind the knee .
Tendons are structures that are linked to bone and muscles. The quadriceps muscles of the knee form a bicep, which is a tendon that connects the muscles to the knees patella. The patella tendon, which connects the knee to the shinbone, is another component of the knee.
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Lateral Collateral Ligament Injury
The lateral collateral ligament is one of the four main ligaments of the knee. It connects the outer side of the femur and tibia and is primarily responsible for stabilizing the outer aspect of the knee.
An LCL injury is often the result of a blow to the inside part of the knee this causes the LCL to stretch beyond normal and can result in partial or complete tearing of the ligament.
Symptoms may include soreness on the outside of the knee, swelling, and stiffness. You may experience instability a feeling that the knee is unstable and going to buckle or give out.
32 million adults in the United States.
With aging, the cartilage that helps cushion the ends of bones in the knee joint can wear thin and eventually allow the bones to rub together. Pain, stiffness, and loss of joint movement can follow.
Some people have more significant wearing of the cartilage in the outer compartment of the knee joint and this can lead to lateral sided knee pain.
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At Your Knee Specialist Appointment
A knee specialist will examine your knee to determine the nature of your injury, including whether there are additional ligament or tendon injuries that might complicate your recovery. The doctor may perform an LCL injury test such as the varus, or adduction stress test, which compares the adduction ability of both knees. If one of the knees adducts more than the other, then the test is positive, indicating a torn ligament.
If an LCL tear is left untreated, the knee may become unstable and prone to further injury over time. Thats why its so important to visit the doctor as soon as possible, rather than later, before the injury can take a toll on the surrounding tissue systems.
Can I Injure A Knee Ligament
An injury to a knee ligament is called a sprain or a tear. Many knee sprains are mild, but torn knee ligaments can be severe.
Knee ligament injuries are common, especially in athletes. The ligaments can be overstretched or torn when:
- Force is applied to the back of the knee when the joint is partly flexed.
- Force is applied to the front of a bent knee .
- Force is applied to the side of the knee when the foot is on the ground .
- The knee is hyperextended , usually by force.
- The knee joint twists in an unnatural way .
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Pain On Outside Of Knee: Causes And Treatments
Also known as lateral knee pain, pain on outside of knee is gradual, unlike a ligament injury or acute knee joint. Irritation can occur on your knee leading to pain when you use your knee too much in activities that require lots of knee bending. Other causes could be hip or back pain that has traveled to the knee, traumatic injury as well as a long period of normal wear and tear. Knee cartilage problems, bones or ligaments could lead to lateral knee pain. The cause of the pain will determine treatment.
What Are The Symptoms Of An Acl Injury
When the ACL tears there is often a popping sound, as well as pain and swelling in the knee, usually within an hour of the injury. Patients usually hobble for a week or so and then things can settle down.
In around 20% of cases, people with an ACL tear can continue with normal activities. However, most people have ongoing symptoms including knee instability as well as recurrent pain. Having early treatment can prevent further damage being caused to surrounding tissue each time the knee gives way. This includes cartilage injuries and meniscal tears as well as arthritis.
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Medicines For Lateral Collateral Ligament Injury
You can take over-the-counter painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, to help relieve any pain. Your doctor may prescribe stronger painkillers if your pain is really bad. As well as easing your pain, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen may help to reduce inflammation and swelling. Always read the patient information that comes with your medicine, and if you have questions, ask your pharmacist or GP for advice.
Mcl And Lcl Sprain Causes
The two most common causes of MCL sprains are when:
- A player applies force to the outside side of your knee during contact sports, such as football and soccer.
- You catch your foot in the ground and try to turn to the side, away from the planted leg.
An LCL sprain can occur if a player applies force to the inside of your knee during contact sports.
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How Is An Lcl Injury Diagnosed
To diagnose an LCL injury, your doctor will examine your knee and look for swelling. Theyll also move your knee in various directions to determine where your pain is and how severe your symptoms are.
If your doctor believes you may have a torn ligament, you may undergo imaging tests like X-rays or MRI scans. These tests will allow your doctor to see the soft tissues inside the knee.
The treatment options for LCL injuries will depend on the severity of the injury and your lifestyle.
For minor injuries, treatment may include:
Its difficult to prevent knee ligament injuries because theyre often a result of an accident or unforeseen circumstance. However, several preventive measures can help minimize the risk of a knee ligament injury, including:
- using proper technique and alignment when doing physical activities, including walking
- stretching regularly to maintain good range of motion in the body
- strengthening the muscles of the upper and lower legs to help stabilize the joint
- using caution when playing sports where knee injuries are common, such as soccer and football
What Are The Symptoms Of A Torn Knee Ligament
Symptoms may vary, however a popping sound, followed by limited knee movement and swelling is common. Pain, if it occurs, is often sudden and severe. The knee may feel loose, and you may be unable to put any weight on it. You should always confirm the diagnosis of a knee ligament injury with a medical professional, to establish the level and extent of the damage.
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Hows An Mcl Injury Diagnosed
Your doctor can often tell if you have an MCL injury by examining your knee. During the examination, your doctor will bend your knee and put pressure on the outside of it. Theyll be able to tell if your inner knee is loose, which would indicate an MCL injury.
Its important that you relax your leg muscles during the examination. This makes it easier for your doctor to test the stability of your ligaments. You may feel some pain and tenderness in your knee during the examination.
Your doctor may order imaging tests to help diagnose your knee injury. An X-ray will give your doctor an image of the bones in your knee. This can help them rule out other knee problems.
During an X-ray, a technician will position your knee so that the machine can record images. This may cause some pain if your knee is tender or swollen. However, the process will only take a few minutes. The X-ray will tell your doctor if theres an injury to the bones in your knee.
Your doctor may also order an MRI scan. This is a test that uses magnets and radio waves to produce images of the body.
For an MRI scan, youll lie down on a table and a technician will position your knee. The MRI machine often makes loud noises. You may be given earplugs to protect your ears.
The table will slide into a scanner and images of your knee will be recorded. During the MRI scan, youll be able to communicate with your technician through a microphone and speakers in the machine.