The knee is a joint that takes the weight of the whole body and connects the foot to the hip (or pelvis).What is knee pain? Knee pain is a frequent complaint that affects people of all ages. Knee pain may be the effect of an injury, such as a ruptured ligament or torn cartilage. Medical conditions including arthritis, gout and infections also can result in knee pain.There are some simple approaches to avoid knee replacement surgery. Losing weight (or at the least not gaining weight) by diet control (avoiding deep fried and excessively sweet food) and regular cardio-vascular exercises e.g., walking, jogging, running, swimming are the main tools to get rid of knee pain.
Strength training of the thigh, buttocks and abdominal muscles (core muscles).This improves the weight bearing capacity of the knee by enhancing the shock absorbing function of the muscles that control the knee and the part of the body above it. It is to be noted that good muscular strength helps in providing better stability to the knee and resulting in lesser pain.
Stretching exercises for the hamstrings (muscles that run along the back of the thigh),quadriceps (muscles that run along the front of the thigh), calf muscles and hip flexor muscles can greatly help in relieving the pain in the knee. Stiff muscles can alter the mechanics of the lower limb and also impact the forces sustained by the knee to abnormally high levels, resulting in pain. Additionally, the tightness and lack of flexibility can cause pain from the attachment points of the muscle or to be precise, ‘tendon’ on the bone(this is also termed tendinitis).
What causes knee pain without injury?
- Walking or light jogging decreases knee pain
- Food (unlike calories) has nothing to do with knee pain
- Cold weather may increase pain slightly
- Genetics or family history of knee pain – It is important to understand that although knee pain may be there in one’s parents or grandparents when they are aged, it is considered positive family history. The knee pain may not necessarily appear at the same age as the parents but may appear earlier.
- Abnormal bending or axis change in the knee
- Weak knee cap causing recurrent ‘slipping’
- Excessive marathon running
- Rarely Vitamin D and calcium deficiency can cause knee pain
- Rheumatoid arthritis or similar connective tissue auto-immune conditions can cause knee injuries
- Rarely infections like Tuberculosis of the bone and joint also causes knee pain
Treatments of knee pain will vary, depending upon what is causing the knee pain. It can be in the form of medications, therapy, injections or surgery based on the patient’s condition.
