The Solution: Chondromalacia Treatment
Most cases of chondromalacia can be treated conservatively. Your doctor will advise you to rest from your regular exercise routine. He or she may also suggest over-the-counter or prescription pain relievers. Icing your knee for 15-20 minutes three or four times a day can also help.
Your doctor will also suggest rehab exercises that you can do at home or under the guidance of a physical therapist. These exercises aim to strengthen the muscles around your kneecap.
Your doctor or therapist might also recommend supports, like taping or knee braces, to help the kneecap maintain proper alignment. Choosing supportive shoes or using shoe inserts can also help.
Finally, if you need to lose weight, your doctor can help you adjust your diet and activity.
In some cases, symptoms don’t respond to conservative measures. If self-care doesn’t relieve your pain, your doctor can discuss other treatment options, including arthroscopic surgery.
Rehab Access Can Help You Improve Knee Mobility
Using a combination of therapeutic exercises and hands-on techniques, physical therapy can help strengthen the knee and improve range of motion. At Rehab Access, our highly skilled team has extensive experience helping patients regain mobility and function in the knee so they can return to a healthy and active lifestyle.
Give knee pain and stiffness the attention it requires. Contact us today to learn more about our treatment options and to schedule your initial appointment.
The Pros And Cons Of Cortisone Shots
If you’re experiencing pain that makes it difficult for you to start physical therapy to address your knee problem, your doctor might recommend that you get an injection of cortisone to lessen the pain.
The shot injects a corticosteroid drug and a local anesthetic into the joint to temporarily relieve pain and swelling. But it isn’t a long-term fix. “Often people think that injections, especially cortisone injections, will fix a knee problem. What they do is provide a window of pain relief so you can make progress with rehabilitation,” says Dr. Rebecca Breslow, an instructor in orthopedic surgery at Harvard Medical School. “But when cortisone injections are overused, there is some evidence that they can actually accelerate osteoarthritis.”
In short, while cortisone shots put you on the path to healing, they should be used judiciously and aren’t a permanent solution to the underlying problem that’s causing your knee pain.
You May Like: Flying After Knee Replacement Surgery
Causes Of Inner Knee Pain
There are several things that can cause inner knee pain. These include:
- injury such as a blow to the outside of your knee, which pushes your knee inwards
- activities that involve sudden twisting or pivoting of your knees for example, skiing or playing rugby
- activities where you have to use your knee a lot for example, cycling, gymnastics or swimming breaststroke
- getting older and your knee joint becoming worn down
What To Do About Knee Pain When You Straighten Your Leg
The severity of the pain determines the best treatment method for either injury, but it is typically advised to begin knee pain treatment with the RICE method, according to the AAOS. RICE stands for rest, ice, compression and elevation.
It is worth noting that as much as arthritis might cause pain, it rarely knees pain when standing up from sitting position. Instead, it makes the joint to be stiff if you have been inactive for long. Taking care of your knee is very important, especially if you are a sportsperson.
Don’t Miss: What Rebuilds Cartilage
Treatment Of Inner Knee Pain
Treatments for inner knee pain include physiotherapy, painkillers and surgery. Whether you need treatment and what treatment you have, will depend on exactly whats wrong with your knee. For instance, you may be more likely to need surgery if you have cartilage damage or osteoarthritis causing severe pain. If you have a ligament injury, physiotherapy may be enough.
For information on treatments, please see the relevant knee condition page.
What Causes Gluteal Tendinopathy
Normally within a healthy tendon, there is a balanced cycle of tissue breakdown and repair. Problems arise however when there is more breakdown of cells in the tendon tissue than repair and this imbalance leads to damage within the tendon called tendinopathy.
This process of increased break down within the gluteal tendon might be triggered by an increase in running mileage or hill walking or hiking with a lot of inclines.
The intensity and the frequency of these types of activities result in longitudinalloading through the hip joint and if there is inadequate recovery or adaptation time factored into training or recreational schedules the gluteal tendon is stressed toward injury.
The other important contributing factor to the development of gluteal tendinopathy is perpendicular loadingthrough the hip joint which is referred to as compression.
Examples of compression loading through the lateral hip are numerous and include lying on the side of the painful hip, sitting with legs crossed, standing with weight shifted to one side and stretching exercises of hip muscles such as the Pigeon pose in yoga.
The combination of compression and high tensile loads seems to be the most damaging to the gluteal tendon. These loads, in combination with increased activity, can sometimes be too much for the tendon and lateral hip pain results.
Read Also: Best Knee Brace For Basketball Meniscus
Knee Pain Worse When Lying Down
Ask U.S. doctors your own question and get educational, text answers â it’s anonymous and free!
Ask U.S. doctors your own question and get educational, text answers â it’s anonymous and free!
HealthTap doctors are based in the U.S., board certified, and available by text or video.
How To Treat It
Treating this knee pain is all about pain management and what you can do to reduce the stress on those joints. Losing weight is a helpful start. Besides being a key to overall good health, cutting excess pounds lessens the everyday stress on those knee joints and ligaments.
But there are plenty of other ways, too.
Exercise smart
A lot of joint stress is caused by high-impact exercising, especially running on pavement. But there are ways to exercise that can keep you healthy and keep that load off your knee joints. Low-impact exercises like swimming, bicycling and elliptical are good because they exercise the knee joints but dont pound them, says Dr. Stearns.
Knee braces can also be a tool, he adds. There are special braces that work to keep pressure off of certain parts of the knee unloader braces that can sometimes help alleviate arthritis pain.
Medication
If youre considering over-the-counter painkillers to help ease the hurt, Dr. Stearns says its best to take naproxen or ibuprofen because they have anti-inflammatory properties that can help ease the swelling thats causing your knee pain.
Acetaminophen medications, like Tylenol, dont work as well because they mask the pain but do nothing about the source of the pain, he says.
He also recommends taking the dose after dinner as that allows you to have the maximum dose before you head to bed.
Cold versus heat
How to sleep comfortably
Recommended Reading: How To Use Ginger For Knee Pain
What Causes Pfp Syndrome
Patellofemoral pain syndrome is an overuse disorder. These happen when someone does the same movements that stress the knee over and over again.
In PFP syndrome, repeated bending and straightening the knee stresses the kneecap. It’s most common in athletes.
Some people with PFP syndrome have a kneecap that is out of line with the thighbone . The kneecap can get out of line, or wiggle as it moves along the thighbone, because of muscle weakness, trauma, or another problem. If this happens, the kneecap doesn’t glide smoothly over the thighbone when the knee bends and straightens. The kneecap gets injured and this causes the pain of PFP syndrome.
When To Seek Medical Help
If your injury is mild, you may be able to manage your symptoms yourself, without seeking medical advice. But you should see a doctor or physiotherapist, if:
- you cant put weight on the affected leg
- you have severe pain, even when youre not putting weight on it
- your knee gives way, clicks, or locks
- you cant move your knee
- your knee is hot, red or very swollen or you have a fever
Don’t Miss: Lock Knee Joint
What Causes The Pain
Knee pain can be caused by a variety of issues, from injury to tendonitis to bursitis . But the primary cause of knee pain, according to Dr. Stearns, is usually a form of arthritis.
People with normal, healthy knees usually dont get pain at night, he says. Theres typically a reason, and its often because they have arthritis, commonly osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis is mechanical in nature, caused by wear-and-tear on the joints as well as the cartilage and tendons associated with the joints. This sets the condition apart from rheumatoid arthritis which is inflammation of the joints, typically caused by an overactive immune system.
While osteoarthritis is typically seen in older patients, it can occur in younger patients, too, particularly those who are prone to overuse of certain joints or suffered significant injuries like ligament tears.
Four Potential Causes Of A Stiff Knee After Sitting
Unless youre sitting in an odd position that puts stress on the area, a stiff knee after sitting should not be a normal occurrence. If you find yourself encountering this issue on a regular basis, you should seek professional attention for diagnosis and treatment. Even if it isnt accompanied by pain, knee stiffness can be a sign of an injury or progressive condition that could worsen over time without proper care.
Educating yourself as a patient can be an important step in the treatment process, helping you to be more engaged in the process. Thats why weve created this quick and informative guide to four potential causes of a stiff knee after sitting.
Read Also: Knee Brace Support Meniscus
Lower Leg Pain Caused By Bones Joints And Muscle Problems
Some of the most common causes of pain from knee to ankle are related to injuries of muscles, joints, and bones.
1. Compartment Syndrome
Compartment syndrome or chronic exertional compartment syndrome occurs if you repeatedly engage in exertional or loading activities. It can affect any lower leg compartments, with the anterior compartment most likely to be affected. Pain in the case of compartment syndrome is typically exercise-induced and you will experience relief with rest. It can also be accompanied by numbness or weakness.
2. Stress Fracture
Stress fractures develop slowly due to repetitive trauma. Eventually, the muscles are overloaded or fatigued to the point where they cant absorb the shock or stress of repeated impacts and instead begin braking. The stress can transfer to nearby bone, leading to small fractures that arent visible on regular X-rays.
3. Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome
Most people know medial tibial stress syndrome as shin splints. This injury commonly affects runners and causes pain from knee to ankle. It occurs due to repeated trauma to your connected muscle tissue by the shinbone . If you ignore it, this issue can lead to a stress fracture.
4. Periostitis
5. Muscle Cramps
6. Achilles Tendonopathy
7. Calf Muscle Tear
8. Plantaris Tear
9. Achilles Tear
10. Tendonitis
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.
You May Like: What Is Nano Knee Replacement
Diagnosis Of Inner Knee Pain
If you see your doctor with knee pain, theyll examine your knee and are likely to ask:
- when your pain started and if theres anything that makes it worse
- if theres any activity, accident or injury that could have caused it
- if you have any other symptoms such as your knee giving way or clicking, or pain in any other joints
They may suggest an X-ray or an MRI scan, but this is not always necessary. Your doctor may be able to make a diagnosis based on the examination and your symptoms.
If you have cartilage or ligament damage, your doctor may suggest a procedure to look inside your knee. This is called an arthroscopy . It involves making a small cut in your knee and inserting a thin tube and a camera. As well as helping with diagnosis, damaged tissue can be repaired or removed during the procedure.
What Are The Causes Of Knee Pain While Sitting & Standing
Does the back of your knee have pain after sitting down?
Do you experience excruciating knee pain after sitting then standing?
It might be due to the simplest of activities of your daily routine. You might be worried because of the popping joints in your body. But you need not worry as even the healthiest of the people might experience sudden popping of the joints.
Knee pain while sitting and getting up is one of the most commonly seen issues among every group. But the sudden knee pain after or while sitting is primarily familiar with people over the age of 60. It could concern any element of the knee, including cartilage, patella, knee joint , knee cap and ligaments. The mild to severe knee pain after sitting depends on which of these structures are involved and how. It might be because of a torn ligament, structural issues in the bones, etc.
One of the most popular questions asked by our older patients is, Why do I feel pain in the back of my knee after sitting?. Of course, it might be due to the long-term effects of a particular medical condition. But it is primarily because of the natural ageing among the elders.
Why Do Healthy Knee Joints Cracks?
A few common medical conditions might result in you having knee pain while sitting down and getting up, including conditions like knee osteoarthritis and Patellofemoral pain syndrome.
Here Are A Few Symptoms Of The Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome:
Don’t Miss: Get Rid Of Knock Knees
Sitting Tips For Hip Pain:
- Make sure your office chair, car seat, and other places you sit often are good for your posture.
- Add back or seat support to improve your posture when youre sitting. Use a firm cushion or foam base.
- Check where your feet land when youre sitting. They should be flat on the floor.
- Use a footstool to rest your feet on when youre sitting.
- Avoid sitting on a very soft surface like a bed or sofa for too long.
- Avoid using very hard surfaces like a wooden chair, stool, or bench. A firm but cushioned surface molds to your body somewhat and helps to support your hips when sitting.
All of these things help to balance the pressure to get rid of hip pain when sitting.
Causes And Risk Factors
Chondromalacia patella occurs when there is:
- Abnormal kneecap positioning
- Muscle weakness or tightness around the knee
- Flat feet
- Too much movement that involves the knee
Individuals who are at risk of getting chondromalacia patella include people who:
- Had an injury, dislocation, or fracture that is related to the kneecap
- Are overweight
- Exercise often such as bicyclists and runners
Also Check: Can Knee Cartilage Be Rebuilt
Torn Anterior Cruciate Ligament
You hear a pop and can’t move after you suddenly change direction — often while playing soccer, football, or basketball. You may have torn your ACL, which connects the femur and the tibia and prevents the tibia from moving too far forward. Your knee will hurt and swell and feel unstable.
You can tear or strain any of the tissues that hold your knee together: Ligaments connect bones to each other tendons connect muscle to bone. Irritated tendons from using them too much? That’s tendinitis.
The Problem: Sitting For Too Long
Perhaps your job requires you to sit for long periods. If so, you might suffer from knee pain while seated on a daily basis.
Or maybe your knee pain interferes with your enjoyment of otherwise fun activities. You can’t savor a leisurely meal because your knees are aching. You keep putting off that trip because you can’t bear the thought of sitting in a car or on a plane for hours. You don’t even enjoy watching TV or movies anymore because you dread the pain.
If this sounds like you, you’re not alone. And you may not even have something wrong with your knees. Instead, knee pain after sitting for long periods of time can be your body’s natural response to an unnatural situation.
Your body was designed for movement. It was not designed for a sedentary lifestyle. Researchers at Harvard Medical School have linked sitting for 6-8 hours a day to a host of negative health outcomes, including early death.
Knee pain is another less extreme but nevertheless problematic outcome of prolonged sitting. When you sit for extended periods, your muscles, ligaments, and tendons tighten. The result is pain.
You May Like: How To Get Rid Of Dark Spots On Knees Fast
What To Do If You Have Pain In The Front Of Your Knee
Grasp the ankle with the hand and gently pull the heel closer to the body. Hold for 3060 seconds, depending on comfort, then switch to the other leg and repeat. Pain in the front of the knee may occur for a number of reasons, ranging from a mild injury to a more serious underlying condition.
But pain above your knee whether in the front or back of your leg may have a different cause. Common causes of pain above your knee include quadricep or hamstring tendonitis, arthritis, and knee bursitis. Your tendons attach your muscles to your bones.