Common Causes of Knee Pain

There are a number of reasons why you might be experiencing knee pain. Overuse, injury, and infection are the three most common causes of knee pain. If you are experiencing pain in joints or pain that does not subside, it is recommended that you seek medical advice to determine the cause. If left untreated, what starts out as something minor could lead to more a serious condition.

Overuse Can Cause Pain

Knee pain due to overuse typically is a result of stressing the joints. For example, vigorous exercise or repetitive use can cause knee pain, especially if you are just starting an exercise regimen or if you have been relatively inactive for a long period of time. This type of knee pain normally will resolve after a few days of rest, and perhaps over-the-counter pain relief medication or an anti-inflammatory to reduce any swelling that may occur. Knee pain can be considered acute when the injury is caused by an impact or twisting of the knee, such as an anterior cruciate ligament injury. An overuse injury can also be considered acute if there is chronic pain and/or swelling.

Injury or Trauma

Knee pain as a result of injury or trauma will require a visit to the doctor, or even the emergency room. In most cases, trauma to the knee can result in ruptured ligaments or torn cartilage and may even require surgery or aggressive treatment to repair the damage.

Infections

Septic arthritis: Sometimes your knee joint can become infected, leading to swelling, pain and redness. Septic arthritis is often accompanied by a fever.

Bursitis: This is the most common bursa affected around the joint, just above the kneecap. People who kneel for prolonged periods of time are more susceptible to bursitis. If the bursa becomes infected, aspiration and analysis of the bursa fluid may be necessary.

Understanding the Knee

The knee joint is surrounded by a joint capsule with ligaments strapping the inner and outer sides of the joint. These are called "collateral ligaments." Crossing within the joint are "circulate ligaments." These ligaments provide the crucial stability and strength necessary for the function of the knee joint.

Injury or degeneration of bone or cartilage can sometimes cause pieces of bone or cartilage to break off. These pieces of bone or cartilage float in the joint space. This can create a problem if it interferes with movement of the knee. It can also result in a "locked" knee.

Swelling of the knee can occur as a result of several different types of knee problems. If you are experiencing knee pain that will not go away or if you have experienced trauma, you should always seek medical advice to ensure that you don't have any severe damage-you may cause further damage if the knee is not promptly treated. Many people think the pain will go away and try to ignore it, but this could actually cause more damage in the long term.