The information in this section cannot be used for self-diagnosis and self-treatment. In case of pain or other exacerbations of the disease, diagnostic tests should be prescribed only by the attending physician. To properly diagnose and prescribe treatment, you should contact your doctor.
When we feel discomfort in our knees, we rarely think about joint damage. After forty, it seems there is nothing to worry about: at this age, your joints will definitely hurt. In fact, it is very important to find out in timeWhy do I have pain in the knee joint?: This can be a signal of injury, illness or even problems with the nervous system.
How can the knee be damaged?
The knee is one of the largest joints in the human body. It includes:
- shared,
- the ends of the femur and tibia,
- muscle,
- ships,
- nerve,
- ligament,
- knee,
- meniscus,
- joint capsule.
All of these parts can be damaged, although not all of them can be damaged: there are no nerve endings in the bones.
Knee pain can be caused by damage to the femur and tibia as well as nearby muscles.
Parts of injury such as dislocation and torn meniscus will reduce mobility. Damage to even small blood vessels will cause hematoma and inflammation, causing discomfort when trying to move your legs. The joint capsule is an excellent environment for infection: after viral and bacterial infections, patients often complain of complications and joint pain. And if there is a neurological disease, the patient will feel sharp pain in the knee even when the joint is completely healthy.
Knee pain due to injury
Injury is one of the most common causes of pain. Knees can be damaged by accidental falls, sports or sudden movements, and even uncomfortable shoes can cause complications.
- Bruises on the knee- damage is quite weak and very frequent. With it, the knee swells, turns red, and the temperature of the joint may increase slightly. If bruising occurs, knee massage may be necessary;
- Ligament ruptureoccurs when the leg or thigh is twisted too much in an unnatural direction. Completely torn ligaments cause severe pain and excessive joint movement;
- Cupping tearscan be due to high loads, unnatural position, a blow to the leg or twisting of the shin. This is a common and difficult to diagnose injury that interferes with normal leg movement;
- Fracture of the knee, leg or hipcombined with soft tissue damage, causes unbearable pain, excessive movement and deformity of the knee joint.
Such injuries can be diagnosed by a surgeon or traumatologist. A visual examination is usually enough, but you may be sent for an X-ray (if a fracture or dislocation is suspected) or a CT scan if your doctor suspects ligament or meniscus damage.
What joint diseases can cause pain?
Any damage to the joint, be it cartilage destruction, infection in the joint capsule or osteoarthritis, will cause pain and reduced mobility. The disease is not always localized specifically to the knee: joint disease in general will affect the whole body. The knee will deteriorate faster due to high loads.
- Arthritis- arthritis, which can develop after injury, infection or metabolic problems;
- Bursitis- inflammation of the joint capsule, leading to severe discomfort when trying to move the joint;
- InperiarthritisThe tendons, muscles and ligaments surrounding the knee joint become inflamed. Pain when increasing the load on the bent leg, for example, when going down stairs;
- Cartilage disease- gradually destroys the cartilage that surrounds the joint and reduces friction and shock;
- TumorThey compress blood vessels and can deform the joint capsule, causing pain and limiting movement;
- InosteoporosisCalcium is gradually washed out of bones and joints, and tissues become weak and brittle. The disease is accompanied by pain and increased risk of injury;
- Osteomyelitis- inflammation of bone tissue. The affected area has visible swelling, temperature increases, and the patient experiences severe acute pain;
- Diseasesof various natures - for example influenza and tuberculosis - can cause complications because the infection has penetrated the joint capsule. In these cases, there is increased temperature, weakness and pain in many joints at the same time.
To diagnose these diseases, an X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography scan will be performed, which shows all parts of the affected joint. If inflammation is suspected, your doctor will advise you to have general blood and biochemical tests and a joint puncture. To rule out infectious diseases, you may be referred for additional tests and fluoroscopy.
Knee pain due to nerve damage
Less often, pain in the knee appears due to nerve tissue disorders. It is accompanied by sharp pain, numbness, and tingling that may begin in the legs.
- Neuritis- neuritis in one or more areas. With it, the patient feels sharp pain and loses sensitivity, mobility may decrease, the legs begin to unconsciously contract at the knees;
- Nerves are compressed- a common consequence of inflammation, tumors and trauma. Due to physical pressure on the nerve roots in the knee, burning pain, numbness, loss of mobility and even paralysis will occur.
To diagnose neuropathy, MRI or CT are used, depending on the patient's contraindications. If the pain is caused by a pinched nerve, blood and joint fluid tests may be needed to determine the cause of the joint deformity.
Can you determine from the symptoms why you have knee pain?
The exact cause of pain can be understood only by a specialist and after carrying out appropriate tests. However, it is quite possible to roughly determine at least the affected area:
- If you feel numbness or tingling in addition to pain,nerve damage;
- Increased knee temperature and swelling -signs of inflammation;
- General weakness, fever and poor health -Arthritis after illness;
- The pain is felt not only in the knee but also in other joints, such as in the shoulder or fingers: it can feel likeosteoporosis, and the consequencesInfectious Diseases;
- Severe pain in the joint when trying to bend or straighten the leg and extreme weakness when resting.bursitis or progressive cartilage disease;
- Joint mobility is reduced without loss of sensitivityjoint destruction, neoplasia or arthritis;
- Fractures, dislocations, and bruises will precede a blow or fall that is hard to miss. in thereDislocation, damage to ligaments and menisciaccompanied by excessive mobility in the knee.
Once you have determined the cause of your pain, you can prepare to see your doctor and have the necessary tests and imaging done. This will reduce diagnosis time and speed up recovery. Don't try to treat your knee pain yourself because you may confuse the cause and make the condition worse. Severe pain can be relieved with painkillers, and it is better to consult your doctor about anti-inflammatory drugs, cartilage protectors, bandages and physical therapy.