Common Causes Of Inner Knee Pain
There are a variety of causes of inner knee pain. Many of them can be linked to an injury. Some of the most common incidents that cause knee injury and pain include falls, sports injuries, or increased activity.
Adults particularly those older than 60 are most likely to experience knee pain. However, inner knee pain can also occur in children and adolescents.
According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, the most common causes of inner knee pain in children are:
- patellar subluxation
Tips For Healthy Knees
There are a few things you can do to keep your knees healthy whether you are experiencing pain or not.
Keeping your knees strong year-round will help you avoid any type of pain, and it will help prevent you from suffering from the many common knee injuries.
First, exercising regularly will help strengthen your legs and knees.
You can use weights, bands, or bodyweight movements and do it at least twice a week.
You can also do things as simple as walking up your stairs, around the block, or hopping on your bicycle.
Be sure to warm up before you exercise because exercising cold increases your risk of injury.
You also need to stay flexible.
Incorporate dynamic stretches into your workouts.
When youve finished exercising, do static stretches,
Regularly stretch the muscles in the front and back of your thigh.
Make sure your shoes fit and that they are in good condition.
All of this exercise should also help you maintain a healthy weight.
Being overweight or obese puts added stress on your knees, and it is a significant risk factor in developing early arthritis of the knee.
Where Is Your Pain
The hunt for the cause of knee pain is like the search for a home:Location matters.
For example, pain below your kneecap might be a sign of patellar tendinitis, or inflammation in the tendon that connects the kneecap to the shinbone, says rheumatologist Scott Burg, DO. Pain above the kneecap often means quadriceps tendinitis.
Pain on the inside or outside of your knee could be a sign of a torn ligament , Dr. Burg says. But it also could indicate a torn or degenerative meniscus, which is the cartilage that lines and cushions your knee joint.
Those are just a couple of causes, not including various types of arthritis. Location is important, but we also ask other questions, Dr. Burg explains.
Read Also: Causes Of Arthritis In Knee
The Anatomy Of The Knee Joint
The large femur sits atop the tibia, much like two pillars stacked on top of each other. The smaller fibula bone is on the outside of the tibia in the lower leg. The fibula provides some weight bearing, but not nearly as much as the tibia does. At the end of the femur are two large condyles with rounded edges that allow for the rocking or hinging motion associated with knee movement.
In between the femur and the tibia are fibrocartilage shock absorbers, or meniscus. Several large stabilizing ligaments on the inside and outside of the knee prevent excessive forward and backwards movements. These stabilizing ligaments include the Anterior Cruciate Ligament and Posterior Cruciate Ligament .
The patella bone sits in front of the femur and slides in a groove. The backside of the patella is covered with hyaline cartilage along with the front side of the groove on the femur, which minimizes the friction as the patella slides. The patella is a large sesamoid bone, which means it is surrounded in muscle or tendon. Sesamoid bones act as a pulley system to change the direction of forces, in this case from the quadriceps muscle to the tibia.
Treat Inner Knee Pain With Impact Physical Therapy
Inner knee pain can be a major disruption to your everyday life, but it doesnt have to be. The team at IMPACT Physical Therapy is here to manage your symptoms and get you back to your full range of motion without pain. Request an appointment to set up a treatment plan for the pain inside your knee today.
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Things To Know About Knee Injury
The knee is a hinge joint that has a simple purpose. It needs to flex or extend to allow the body to perform many activities, like running, walking, kicking, and sitting. Imagine standing up from a chair if your knees couldn’t bend.
While four bones come together at the knee, only the femur and the tibia form the joint itself. The head of the fibula provides some stability, and the patella helps with joint and muscle function. Movement and weight-bearing occur where the ends of the femur called the femoral condyles match up with the top flat surfaces of the tibia .
Two major muscle groups are balanced and allow movement of the knee joint. When the quadriceps muscles on the front of the thigh contract, the knee extends or straightens.
- The hamstring muscles on the back of the thigh flex or bend the knee when they contract.
- The muscles cross the knee joint and are attached to the tibia by tendons.
- The quadriceps tendon is special, in that it contains the patella within its fibers.
- The patella allows the quadriceps muscle/tendon unit to work more efficiently.
- The quadriceps tendon is renamed the patellar tendon from the kneecap to its attachment in the tibia.
The stability of the knee joint is maintained by four ligaments, and thick bands of tissue that stabilize the joint.
Inside the knee, there are two shock-absorbing pieces of cartilage called menisci that sit on the top surface of the tibia.
Knee Pain With No Swelling What Are The Common Causes Of This Condition
A lot of men and women are often confused why they feel knee pain with no swelling prior to or after they feel this persistent sensation every so often. If you experience this problem on occasion, then its best for you to first learn about the major causes of knee pain. This will allow you to identify a set of possible remedies and therapeutic programs.
You can then consult a licensed medical practitioner with significant expertise in relevant fields about some of these potential solutions for your particular issues. The experience of a seasoned medical specialist when it comes to treating knee pain with no swelling will greatly help you avoid remedies and treatment processes that can only worsen your condition. To help you out, here are some of the most common causes of knee pain:
Read Also: Can You Repair Cartilage In Your Knee Naturally
What Is Pain On The Outside Of The Knee Called
The Iliotibial band syndrome, also known as IT band syndrome, is an IT band disorder. As a result of this health problem, the outside of the knee is excruciatingly painful. It is most common in athletes, particularly distance runners, and people who are new to exercise.
Lcl Injuries: Painful And Slow To Heal
Pain can spread to the ankles, knees, and feet as well. The LCL injury can be very painful, and it may take several weeks or even months for healing. It is critical that you see a doctor if you are experiencing any of these symptoms.
Outside Knee Pain No Swelling
Chronic knee pain is frequently caused by knee pain that does not cause swelling. There are several possible causes of knee pain while bending over.
ItBS occurs when a iliotibial band is inserted through the outside of your shin bone. Excessive foot supination, excessive anklepronation, overtraining, and poor hip muscles are just a few of the possible causes of the disorder. The meniscus acts as an shock absorber in the knee, preventing bones from directly coming into contact. Fissures and tears can form when there is sudden twisting and torsion. X-ray imaging can be used to diagnose knee arthritis in four different types . If severe knee arthritis is the cause of your symptoms, you may need to undergo surgery. Most doctors recommend exhausting all conservative treatment options first if you have limited options.
Arthritis on the side of the knee may also cause pain on the outside of the joint. Outside of the knee, there is no swelling and no soft tissue injury, such as a knee injury such as a ligament tear or a knee injury. tendonopathy, IT Band Syndrome, or runners knee are more likely causes of the outside knee pain.
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Whats On The Outer Side Of The Knee
Bone connecting your upper and lower legs is made possible by them around your knee joint. On the outside of your knee, there is lateral collateral tissue. The inside of your knee contains the cartilage lateral collateral ligaments . The treatment of lateral knee pain will be determined by the underlying cause of the pain.
How To Diagnose And Treat A Meniscus Tea
What Are The Long
There are some long-term effects that can result from not seeking treatment for your knee injury.
First off, if your knee is in pain you will naturally be experiencing some level of immobility with the joint. Immobility can lead to further wear and tear on already-damaged cartilage. It can also cause muscles to tighten up due to lack of use, which results in additional inflammation throughout the body.
If you are experiencing acute knee pain without injury that lasts for more than one or two weeks, make sure you seek professional medical help right away so it doesnt turn into a chronic issue.
Read Also: Is It Dangerous To Have Fluid On The Knee
How Long Does Outer Knee Pain Take To Heal
There is no definitive answer to this question as the time it takes for outer knee pain to heal can vary depending on the individual and the severity of their condition. However, with proper treatment and rehabilitation, most people can expect to see a significant improvement within a few weeks to a few months.
How Is Knee Pain On The Outside Of The Knee Diagnosed
When you see a doctor about lateral knee pain, theyll first ask you to describe the location and type of pain, for example is the pain sharp or aching? Theyll also ask you when the pain started and what activity you were doing when your symptoms began.
Theyll then perform a physical examination that will typically involve extending and flexing your knee, as well as moving it gently from side to side. This may reveal whether theres any swelling, areas of tenderness, or looseness in any of the ligaments.
Imaging tests may also be appropriate, including one or more of the following:
- X-ray to see bones
- Magnetic resonance imaging to get detailed images of ligaments, tendons, muscles, and cartilage
- Computed tomography scan provides a more detailed image of the bone than is possible with a standard X-ray
Based on your symptoms, the physical exam and imaging, a doctor should be able to diagnose the cause and severity of your knee injury and propose a treatment plan.
For minor lateral knee injuries, rest and conservative measures are all that are needed to allow them to heal. However, ligament tears, meniscus tears, and advanced arthritis may require surgery.
Read Also: When Is The Right Time To Have Knee Replacement Surgery
What Does Sharp Pain On The Outside Of Your Knee Mean
According to Burg, if you have pain on the inside or outside of your knee, it could be a torn ligaments . If your knee joint is showing signs of wear and tear, it could also be a torn or deteriorating knee joint, which lines and cushions the joint.
Hip And Knee Stretches For Improved Range Of Motion
This stretch can benefit people who have tight hips or knees, as well as those who want to improve their range of motion. The stretch can be reduced if you prefer to use a sturdy object or a wall to support your hands.
Your Knee Is Moving Or Shifting
Changing direction suddenly while your foot is planted on the ground can result in a dislocated knee. While this typically isnt considered a serious injury, some rare cases are. A dislocated knee can often include torn ligaments, broken blood vessels, and damaged nerves. When this happens, your knee may feel like its moving or shifting when you walk. You may also experience:
- Inability to continue with day-to-day activities
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How To Get Moving
Within the first 24 to 48 hours after your knee problem has started you should try to:
- reduce your activities but move as much as your symptoms allow
- put your leg in an elevated position, when resting
- move your knee gently for 10 to 20 seconds every hour when you’re awake
- avoid long periods on your feet
When using stairs it may help to:
- lead with your good leg when going upstairs to reduce the strain on your knee
- lead with your problem leg when going downstairs to reduce the strain on your knee
- use a handrail when going up and downstairs
After 48 hours:
- try to use your leg more – exercise really helps your knee and can relieve pain
- do whatever you normally would and stay at, or return to work – this is important and is the best way to get better
It’s beneficial to do specific exercises that can help in your recovery. They may be challenging at the beginning so just do what you can and try to build it up over time.
Keeping active’s the single best thing you can do for your general health.
Being physically active can:
- maintain your current levels of fitness even if you have to modify what you normally do, any activity is better than none
- keep your other muscles and joints strong and flexible
- prevent a recurrence of the problem
Avoid sports or heavy lifting until you have less discomfort and good movement. Remember to warm up fully before you start sporting activities.
Coping Strategies For Runners With Anterior Knee Pain:
- A shorter stride: a shorter stride allows you to control your pelvic drop better.
- A higher cadence : This also minimizes your pelvic drop and other gait abnormalities.
- Avoiding hilly terrain until the pain has lessened.
- Progressive, intelligent training. Consider using apps such as HRV4Training, Training Peaks or TrainAsOne.
- Patella taping: See the video at the end of this post.
- Orthotics or shoe inserts: These have been shown to work in some of you.
- Prevention: Keep your glutes/ hip abductors / core strong. See the exercise videos at the end of this post.
Recommended Reading: My Knee Pops And Hurts
Causes Of Outer Knee Pain
Like the inside of your knee, the outside or lateral portion of the joint is a crossroads of many different anatomical structures. This can make getting to the bottom of pain in this area equally frustrating. If you have soreness near the lateral part of your knee, the most frequently seen causes are listed below.
Sharp Knee Pain When Twisting
It indicates that something is getting stuck in the joint. It can be a loose body or a flap of torn cartilage. It may also indicate instability due to sprain or tear.
Damage to the pain that radiates from the inner side of the leg. Knee pain can occur immediately after an accident, usually due to a twisted knee, but it can also persist for some time while the knee recovers.
Osteoarthritis sufferers sometimes experience sharp knee painwhen sitting for long periods, such as 20-30 minutes. You may have arthritis if your knee pain subsides after a few minutes of action.
Also Check: How To Relieve Knee Stiffness
Common Running Knee Injuries And How To Treat Themthursday 13 April 2017
Running is on the rise. According to Sport Englands Active People Survey results over 2 million people a week participate in running and, its the second most popular activity for people doing 30 minutes exercise at a moderate intensity at least once a week.
So why are we a nation that loves to run? There are many reasons. Running is inclusive, cheap and accessible without the need to arrange a court or organise a team. Some people run to lose weight, to get fit, to keep healthy, to beat their personal best time or to have time out to think and once weve been for a run we experience runners high with the release of feel good chemicals.
But no matter whether you are a beginner whose muscles are not used to running or a highly experienced runner training for the upcoming London Marathon on 23rd April when youll join up to 50,000 other runners as they pound the streets to finish the 26.2 mile run, anyone can be affected by a running injury.
Common knee injuries due to running
The knee is the most commonly injured joint among runners. Damage to the structures inside and outside your knee joint can result in fractures, dislocations, sprains, and tears. Knee components susceptible to running injuries include:
– Articular cartilage – covers the ends of your shin bone, thigh bone and the back of your kneecap .
– Ligaments there are four ligaments including your anterior cruciate ligament and posterior cruciate ligament in your knee that connect your bones together.