Why knees hurt and what to do

When it is necessary to urgently seek help

As soon as possible, refer to the emergency room, the surgeon, and sometimes - depending on the state of health - call an ambulance ifKnee Pain:

• you can not bear weight on the affected leg: so unstable knee;
• around the knee there is a marked edema;
• you can not fully straighten or bend the knee;
• joint looks deformed;
• knee was red, swollen and sore, and with it you mark a rise in body temperature;
• You recently hit his knee, and now it hurts badly.

These symptoms are typical for fractures, dislocations, acute inflammatory diseases. If these violations are not treated, they can lead to very unpleasant consequences - up to the disability or death.

Why hurt your knees

Here are some of the most common causes.

1. Knee injury

American Arthritis Foundation callsKnee Injury knees perhaps the most vulnerable to a variety of damage to the joints of the human body. Very often gets athletes. Long running, accidental fall, a sharp jump, high load under the bar - all of these situations can interfere with the operation of the knee joint and lead to one of the following injuries.

meniscus injury

Meniscus - a cartilage, which performs the role of shock absorber in the knee joint. Its thickness is only 3-4 millimeters. Despite this, hryaschik strong enough. Yet he is vulnerable. For example, if you will turn sharply loaded on the knee, the meniscus may overstrain. The symptoms of this - the pain and swelling in the knee. However, they coincide with the symptoms of other injuries, so the diagnosis should be entrusted to a specialist.

ligament damage

Most often suffer from the so-called anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) - one of four ligaments that connect within the knee lower leg and thigh. With a sharp reversal knee can develop microfractures, or even a full break. Such injuries are common in people involved in football, basketball, or other types of sportThat require sudden changes of direction.

Tears and inflammation of tendons

Tendons - it's fibrous tissue in which the muscles are attached to bones. At sharp movements or heavy loads they are also prone to sprains and even fractures. In addition, the load can lead to the development of inflammation - the so-called knee tendinitis.

Bursitis

Some damage to the knee can cause inflammation of the periarticular bags (bursae) - small fluid filled sacs that reduce friction between the joint and the surrounding ligaments and tendons. Mucositis bursae makes itself felt swelling, increase in skin temperature in the affected area, stiffness and pain.

Syndrome iliac tibial tract

So called inflammation of ligaments, which extends from the outer part of the pelvis on the hip and knee joints. This element plays an important role in stabilizing the knee. When prolonged repetitive movements associated with a constant flexion and extension leg ligament can become inflamed. This common injuryUsually the case with those who enjoy running, biking, hiking and powerlifting.

Dislocated kneecap (patella)

This is the situation when the triangular bone covering the knee in front, moved from its usual place - as a rule, to the outside of the joint. This offset markedly and painfully. Do not attempt to straighten the bone yourself! This procedure can be performed only trauma surgeon.

Injury

You dropped or bumped his knee, and now it has a black eye, swollen and it hurts. So bruise manifests itself.

fracture

Bone knee, including the patella may be broken if dropped or a strong shock. People who suffer from osteoporosis, sometimes earning fracturesSimply by making an awkward move.

2. Patellofemoral pain syndrome

This syndrome is also called "runners knee". It is not associated with an injury, there are several other mechanisms.

Kneecap (patella) during flexion-extension knee moves up and down through the joint. Sometimes between the patella and the joint (the word "femoral" means "hip") may occur irritation.

If you feel a nagging pain on the patella, or knee, which increases with the ups and slopes or when sitting with bent legs, perhaps we are talking about patellofemoral pain syndrome. This violation is more commonKnee Pain Causes in women than in men.

3. You have changed gait

Maybe you pulled a thigh muscle. Or, for example, stepped on something sharp, and is now trying to move so that once again not to disturb the injured spot on the foot. Such situations force you to change gait. And this, in turn, can lead to excessive load on the knee joint. Hence the painful sensation.

4. Excess weight

This is another stress factor on their knees, because of which there may be pain and stiffness in the joints and muscles of the legs.

5. You have developed a type of arthritis

Their there are over 100 different types. Here speciesKnee Pain Arthritis, which usually affects the knee:

• Osteoarthritis. Its cause - the wear of cartilage in the knee joint.
• Rheumatoid arthritis. It is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the joints of the body. Including the knee.
• Gout. This type of arthritis occurs when joints are accumulated uric acid crystals. Although gout usually affects the big toes, it can also occur in the knees.
• Septic arthritis. We are an infection of the joints, which may occur on or after penetrating trauma, or by ingestion of bacteria through the bloodstream from another part of the body.

What to do if you are sore knees

If discomfort bother you more than two or three days, it is necessary to consult a doctor. For example, for such a reason that what you take for an ordinary bruise, may well be a meniscus injury. And the damage to the cartilage increases the risk of osteoarthritis and other joint problems in the future.

Start with a therapist. The physician will listen to your complaints, asked about lifestyle, diet, training, falls. And depending on the presumptive diagnosis will direct you to the profile expert - rheumatologist, orthopedic surgeon, physiotherapist... may require some research: X-ray, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging of the knee, and also analysis blood and fluid from the knee joint. Further treatment will depend on the inspection results and tests.

Until you came to the physician, or if you believe that nothing terrible happens to you, you can alleviate the condition on household practicesKnee Pain. Diagnosis and Treatment.

1. Give knee rest

Take a break in their normal course of business, to reduce repetitive stress on the joint. To recover from lung injury, as a rule, missing a couple of days. If a more serious condition, rest period should be longer and there is reason to discuss this issue with your doctor.

2. Attach to the affected knee cold

For example, a thin towel wrapped in an ice pack, a hot water bottle with ice cold water or gauze compress. This will help relieve swelling and reduce pain. Keep the compress for no longer than 20 minutes.

3. Use an elastic bandage

It will help prevent the accumulation of fluid in the damaged tissues and make the knee more stable. Make sure that the bandage does not interfere with blood circulation.

4. Lie down with feet elevated

For example, put them on a couch cushion or a pillow. This will help reduce swelling.

5. Take nonprescription pain reliever

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) - ibuprofen is the same or naproxen - may reduce discomfort when pain and edema. But keep in mind that these drugs also have side effects, so they can not be used continuously.