What Can I Do To Help My Knee Pain

Inflammation And Your Knees

Knee injuries cause inflammation, which in turn causes pain. Chronic knee pain might be due to several conditions that also cause inflammation directly or indirectly. These conditions may include arthritis, gout, tendonitis, bursitis, and several other itis conditions.

So, by eating the best foods that reduce inflammation, you more or less help your knees stay healthy and pain-free!

What Are The Causes Of Knee Pain

Knees are complex, weight-bearing joints that flex, bend, and support your body. Our knees do all of this on a day-to-day basis and we never really notice them until were in pain. Knee pain can be a result of:

• Knee injuries or accidents, where the knee was twisted too far in one direction and the muscles, ligaments or tendons that protect your knees are strained or torn.
• Overuse – which can lead to muscle fatigue and excessive stress on your knees
• Mechanical body problems, such as hip or knee problems, or when tight or weak muscles are unable to support the knee properly
• Inflammatory or infectious causes

What About Glucosamine And Chondroitin

Glucosamine and chondroitin are components of healthy cartilage. Both are produced naturally in the body. They are also available in supplement form.

Researchers have long studied the effects of glucosamine and chondroitin supplements on arthritis. Many studies have found mixed resultssome have shown pain relief and function improvements compared to a placebo, while others showed no benefit from using these supplements.

Because of the lack of confirmatory evidence on the effectiveness of glucosamine and chondroitin supplements, the 2019 ACR/Arthritis guidelines recommend that people with knee OA not use these supplements.

There has been little or no research on the effects of glucosamine and chondroitin supplements in people with knee arthritis related to RA.

Most supplements are generally safe to use. Talk to your healthcare provider about whether it is safe for you to start a supplement with your current knee arthritis treatment plan.

While supplements have few severe side effects attached to them, it is still possible to experience these. Supplements can also interact with prescription drugs, can make other treatments less effective, and affect other health conditions you may have.

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How Is The Cause Of Knee Pain Diagnosed

A thorough examination is necessary for an accurate determination. The examination should include an assessment of whether the pain actually stems from the knee. Sometimes knee pain can be referred pain from another source, such as a hip injury. ââ¬ÅReferred painââ¬ï¿½ means that an injury or disease in one part of the body is causing pain in a different location.

When making a diagnosis, your doctor will consider information that includes the following:

• Patient characteristics. Some conditions are more likely to occur in individuals with certain characteristics. For example, osteoarthritis is more frequent in older adults, and conditions associated with overuse are more frequent in people who participate in athletic activities. Obesity can also be a factor in some conditions.
• Patient history. The physician asks questions to determine potential sources of trauma, such as car accidents or sports injuries. The physician will also ask where and when you feel the pain.
• Results of a physical examination. The physician moves and probes your knee for signs of damage to the muscle, tendon, or cartilage. This includes exploring the location of the pain, such as behind the knee, in front of the knee, or inside of or on top of the knee.
• Results of imaging and other tests. Sometimes X-rays, MRIs, or other diagnostic tests are needed to identify structural damage or abnormalities.

What You Need To Know

• The most common causes of knee pain are related to aging, injury or repeated stress on the knee.
• Common knee problems include sprained or strained ligaments, cartilage tears, tendonitis and arthritis.
• Diagnosing a knee injury or problem includes a medical examination and usually the use of a diagnostic procedure such as an x-ray, MRI, CT scan or arthroscopy.
• Both non-operative and surgical treatment options are available to treat knee pain and problems depending on the type and severity of the condition.

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What To Expect From Physical Therapy For Knee Pain

If you are referred to physical therapy for knee pain, the initial visit is important to ensure correct diagnosis and proper management. During this visit, your physical therapist will interview you to gather information about the history of your problem, about the aggravating and relieving factors, and about any past medical history that may contribute the overall problem. From the information gathered during the history, a focused examination will be conducted. The examination may consist of several sections including, but not limited to:

You Participate In High

Its important to stay active, and maintaining an exercise routine can actually help knee pain. But high-impact activities can make knee pain worse. Exercise like running, kickboxing, or high intensity interval training can jar your joints and make your knee pain worse. Some stretching exercises, like squats and lunges, can put extra pressure on your knees as well.

Whatever the cause of your knee pain, we can help. Dr. Shults and the team at Coastal Empire Orthopedics offer a range of knee pain treatments for patients. From physical therapy and bracing to reconstruction or knee replacement surgery, were committed to getting you back to your active lifestyle.

You shouldnt have to live with knee pain. Dr. Shults and his team can help diagnose your pain and find a treatment plan that works for you. Get back to enjoying your life with compassionate care at Coastal Empire Orthopedics. Call our Savannah, Georgia, office today or book your first appointment online and start finding relief from your knee pain.

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Protection Rest Ice Compression And Elevation

Rest, ice, compression, and elevation may help treat mild knee pain that results from a soft tissue injury, such as a sprain.

Protection refers to protecting the knee from further injury, for example, by taking a break from the activity that caused it.

Rest can reduce the risk of further injury and give tissues time to heal. However, stopping all movement is not advisable, as this can lead to stiffness and, in time, muscle weakness.

Ice can help reduce swelling and inflammation. It should be wrapped in a cloth and applied for 20 minutes several times on the first day of injury. Never put ice directly the skin, as this can lead to further damage.

Compression with a knee support, for example, can increase comfort levels. The support or bandage should be firm but not tight.

Elevation, or keeping the leg raised, will encourage circulation and reduce swelling. Ideally, the knee should be above the level of the heart.

Don’t Let Knee Pain Defeat You

Do not let knee pain get in the way of the important things in life like spending quality time with friends and family or getting out of town for that much-needed vacation. We hope these tips were helpful! Drive safely and take care!

With nearly 5 years of experience in the medical field, Marijune holds a registered nurse license and a certificate as a mental health nurse practitioner. She is an adventurous young professional, and her hobbies include diving, windsurfing, and saber fencing.As an avid writer, she is most passionate about sharing acquired knowledge in the medical field and how to apply it to improve the quality of life of our readers.

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Common Causes Of Knee Pain

Knee pain describes any type of discomfort that affects the knees, such as sensitivity and throbbing. Its common for knee pain to also be accompanied by other symptoms affecting the legs, which can include:

• Swelling around the knee
• General reduced range of motion of the legs
• Feeling like your knee gives out when you try to move
• Unusual sounds when moving the knee, such as a popping or crunching sound

The knee joint, a complex part of the body that is formed by interconnecting bones, cartilage and ligaments, is where the major bones of the upper leg and lower leg meet. The knee is actually the largest joint in the human body and functions as a hinge joint, formed by the femur , the tibia and the patella that are held in place by several joints/tendons. The knees must withstand pressure, weight and shock, and rely on the muscles in the legs to keep them stable and strong.

Knee pain is sometimes referred to as patellofemoral pain syndrome or runners knee, which describes pain and other symptoms affecting the area between your patella and femur . Its possible for knee pain to be either chronic or acute. Chronic pain is the kind that does not come on suddenly and continues to get worse. It usually lasts 46 weeks or longer.

Most Common Knee Pain Causes:

Knee Injuries that Cause Knee Pain:

Inflammatory Foods To Avoid

On the other hand, you might consider cutting back on some types of foods if youre suffering from temporary or chronic knee pain.

Generally speaking, highly processed foods have been shown to more or less increase or somehow contribute to inflammation. These foods are so-called Comfort Foods theyre enjoyable, of course, but please consume them in moderation. If you can manage to largely eliminate them from your diet, youll be better off, in the long run.

Try not to eat all those foods you lovecookies, cakes, pizza, popcorn, chips: These are high carbohydrate, high calorie sugary, trans fat foods. Youll save yourself from many future health problems

Such Non-beneficial Foods Include:

• Cold cuts / processed meat
• Alcoholic beverages

Also, some people have an adverse reaction to dairy products, and few suffer from celiac disease, which makes gluten-rich foods dangerous to them as they can contribute to the symptoms of arthritis.

As a rule of thumb, if you suffer from chronic inflammation, its best to keep your diet as simple as possible. Focus on healthy proteins, carbs, and fats, and cut back on processed foods, such as sugar and refined grains. Also, its a great idea to cut back on alcohol, as it may encourage risky behavior if youre injury-prone.

If your child wants something sweet, give him or her a piece of fruit such as an apple, not a donut

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Daily Habits That Can Help Alleviate Your Knee Pain

Your knees bear the brunt of taking your body from place to place. The joints are constantly in motion with almost every move you make, whether its standing up, sitting down, walking, climbing stars, or crouching to pick something up. Knee pain can make every motion a misery.

At The Spine and Sports Centerat The Galleria in Houston, Sugar Land, and the Willowbrook/Cy-Fair area of Texas, Dr. Benoy Benny suggests lifestyle changes to mitigate your knee pain and provides noninvasive treatments to improve your mobility.

You can help reduce knee pain with these five simple daily habits:

Give Your Knees A Break

Pushing through the pain is something many of us have been taught to do, but when it comes to your knees, its a bad idea. The CDC says moderate pain means your body is asking for rest, so be kind to yourself and consider taking some time off your feet at least twice a day and dont overdo the exercises.

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How Are Knee Problems Diagnosed

In addition to a complete medical history and physical exam, other tests for knee problems may include:

• X-ray. This test uses invisible electromagnetic energy beams to make images of internal tissues, bones, and organs onto film.

• Magnetic resonance imaging . This test uses large magnets, radiofrequencies, and a computer to make detailed images of organs and structures within the body can often determine damage or disease in a surrounding ligament or muscle.

• Computed tomography scan . This test uses X-rays and computer technology to make horizontal, or axial, images of the body. A CT scan shows detailed images of any part of the body, including the bones, muscles, fat, and organs. CT scans are more detailed than general X-rays.

• Arthroscopy. A minimally-invasive diagnostic and treatment procedure used for conditions of a joint. This procedure uses a small, lighted, optic tube , 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 used to evaluate any degenerative or arthritic changes in the joint to detect bone diseases and tumors to determine the cause of bone pain and inflammation.

• Radionuclide bone scan. A nuclear imaging technique that uses a very small amount of radioactive material, which 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.

Can Driving Cause Knee Pain On Long Distance Drives

Here is another common question regarding knee pain while driving: Can driving cause knee pain on long-distance drives?

Yes. If you have knee pain or discomfort when driving, it can seem even worse after long hours behind the wheel. This makes sense if you sit for long periods of time in a stressful position, muscle tightness and fatigue are inevitable.

Fatigue can cause muscles to tense up, which results in more strain on joints. It’s also worth noting that there is an increased risk for blood clots with prolonged sitting due to reduced movement of the legs. So if your knees hurt while driving long distances regularly, don’t worry there are ways to minimize this!

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What Is The Treatment For Knee Pain

Treatments for knee pain are as varied as the conditions that can cause the pain.

Medications

Medications might be prescribed to treat an underlying medical condition or for pain relief.

If you are taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory pain medications regularly for your knee pain, you should see your doctor to be evaluated.

Physical therapy

Sometimes physical therapy sessions to strengthen the muscles around the knee will make it more stable and help guarantee the best mechanical movements. Working with a physical therapist can help avoid injuries or further worsening of an injury.

Injections

Injecting medications directly into your knee might help in certain situations. The two most common injections are corticosteroids and lubricants. Corticosteroid injections can help arthritis and other inflammations of the knee. They usually need to be repeated every few months. Lubricants that are similar to the fluid already in your knee joint can help with movement and pain.

Years Of Wear And Tear Can Take A Toll On Your Knees But There Are Strategies To Relieve Pain

Whether it’s a sharp pain or a dull ache, knee pain is a common problem in women particularly older women. One study of women ages 50 and older, published in Arthritis & Rheumatism, found that nearly two-thirds had some type of knee pain during the 12-year study period.

Dr. Rebecca Breslow, a sports medicine doctor and an instructor in orthopedic surgery at Harvard Medical School, says many of the active older women and the female athletes she sees in her practice have knee pain. While there are numerous pain-inducing knee conditions, three seem to be the most common culprits in older women:

• patellofemoral pain

Below is a guide on how to recognize these conditions and how to treat them.

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What Else Could It Be

If you are still not sure what is causing your severe knee pain, visit the knee pain diagnosis section where we help you work out what is going on by thinking about the location of the pain e.g. front, back or side of the knee.

Alternatively, in the knee symptoms guide we look at other symptoms typically linked with knee pain such as pain when running or bending, knee locking, sharp pain or pain on the stairs. And remember, if you are suffering from severe knee pain, get checked out by your doctor as soon as possible.

Page Last Updated: 10/06/21

Check The Height And Adjustment Of Your Seat Including Your Steering Wheel

Make sure your seat is at the correct height and that your steering wheel is adjusted properly. You don’t want to be reaching too high or too low when you’re driving.

If your seat is too high or low, you may experience pain behind your knee. It may start in the knee, but it can also cause discomfort and tension in the hip and back. Tension can then build up and cause you to experience pain in other areas.

You don’t want to move too far away from the driver’s seat just enough to give yourself a quick break and stretch those muscles that have been in one position for hours on end.

A good rule of thumb is that your knee should be slightly bent when you’re at rest. Your elbow shouldn’t have to extend more than a few inches from your body when you’re holding the steering wheel.

If your feet are killing you when you’re at the wheel, adjust the pedals by moving them closer or further away from your body. This will help stretch out the muscles in your legs and lower back where the pain is emanating from.

Make sure that when they are resting on the floor, if they are too close/far away from the pedal, so it doesn’t interfere with how far apart your legs are while driving.

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What Type Of Knee Pain Do You Have

If you experience knee pain, it is important to determine if the pain is acute, sub-acute, or chronic in nature. This can help guide proper diagnosis and treatment.

• Acute Pain: Usually the most severe and occurs 1-7 days after injury. During this time, you should rest the knee and let the injured structures heal before initiating any motion.
• Sub-Acute Pain: This occurs from 2-6 weeks after injury. This is a good time to initiate gentle motion around the knee to help regain mobility.
• Chronic Knee Pain: Pain lasting greater than 8-12 weeks. Knee pain that is chronic should be evaluated by your healthcare provider.