Pain - Knee Pain, Causes and Treatments for Pain

Did you know that the knee is the most easily injured part of the human body? It is also the most complicated joint and one of the most utilized. From sitting to standing, walking to running, the knee is used--and perhaps abused. With every motion there is an increased risk of injury resulting in knee pain. And, there are many injuries that can cause knee pain.

Common Causes of Knee Pain

Often, knee pain is the result of an injury, such as a ruptured ligament or torn cartilage. But some medical conditions can also bring you to your knees, including arthritis, gout and infections.

Some forms of knee pain are minor annoyances, while others can greatly disrupt your quality of life. Common injuries that cause knee pain include:

· Ligament Injuries. Torn ligaments are caused by a hard stop or twist of the knee that typically occurs when participating in athletic activities. Many times, when you tear ligament you will hear a "popping" sound. This will be followed by intense knee pain.

· Dislocation of the Kneecap. This is another common injury that causes a lot of knee pain. If the kneecap (patella) moves out of place, a doctor may have to snap it back in place. Ouch!

· Tendon Ruptures. Certain tendons (quadriceps and patellar) can rupture partially or completely. Many joggers experience knee pain caused by tendon ruptures. Most of the time, surgery is performed on a completely ruptured tendon, while a partial rupture can heal with the aid of a splint.

· Meniscal Injuries. If you hear your knee clicking or grinding while moving, or it locks in a particular position, you most like have a meniscal injury. This kind of knee pain generally happens from overuse or a traumatic injury.

Treatments for Knee Pain Injuries

If the knee pain is caused by a minor injury, try ice packs and heating pads. You can also take over-the-counter painkillers, like Tylenol or Advil. However, if the pain is severe and/or lasts for a few days, do not hesitate to visit your doctor. Your doctor can determine the cause of your problem. Only then can the correct treatment routine begin. Some knee injuries require surgery.

Surgeons perform more than 450,000 knee replacements in the United States each year. Two thirds of knee replacement patients are women. During the last year that statistics are available from the Center for Disease Control, 311,000 women and 167,000 men had total knee replacements.

"There are several factors behind the increase we're seeing in knee replacement patients," says Orthopedic Surgeon Stanton Longenecker, MD. "There is an increase in the number of patients living longer and more active lives and an increased acceptance of knee replacement surgery. Women are certainly more active later in their lives than they were 20 years ago. The reason for the replacements remains the same - wear and tear arthritis."

Other knee pain issues require physical therapy or stretching exercises, while other conditions may simply involve rest. Your doctor is the only one who can make these important decisions.

For more information about knee pain, visit BigKneePain.com. This informative website will teach you more about knee pain, preventative techniques, and various supplements (Glucosamine and Chondroitin) you can take to relieve some of the knee pain from injuries.