The source of knee pain may be intra-articular tissues or muscles, tendons, ligaments and sacs around the joint. Acute knee pain is usually of trauma origin, but rheumatic pathologies are usually among the causes of chronic knee pain. Depending on the cause of the pain, the patient may feel the pain in the kneecap, in front of the knee, and behind the knee.
The knee is one of the most complex and largest joints in the body. Since it is used too much depending on our many movements during the day, the possibility of injury and injury is also high. When it comes to the knee, there can be many different problems due to its complex structure. The location of the knee pain and the severity of the pain vary depending on the cause of the pain.
Some other symptoms that accompany knee pain include swelling and stiffness, redness, warmth to the touch, a crackling sound, locking or inability to fully straighten the knee.
Causes of Knee Pain
Injuries can affect the ligaments, tendons, fluid-filled sacs called bursae, bones, or cartilage that surround the knee joint. The most common knee injuries that cause knee pain can be listed as follows:
Patellar (Kneecap) Tendinitis
Patellar tendonitis is the inflammation of one or more tendons. Tendons are thick, filamentous cords that connect bones and muscles. Inflammation of the patellar tendon, which connects the muscles of the front of the upper leg to the shinbone, is more common in runners, skiers, and cyclists. One of the symptoms of this inflammation is knee pain.
Meniscus Tear
The meniscus tissue consists of durable, rubbery cartilage and acts as a shock absorber between the shinbone and thighbone. If a sudden turn is made while putting weight on the knee, it may tear. Meniscus tear is mostly seen in football players and those who are involved in other sports where the knee is heavily weighted. On the other hand, it can happen to anyone who strains the knee and gets a hard blow to the knee. Pain, swelling and limitation of movement are among the symptoms of locking in the knee.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injuries
ACL rupture is the tearing of the anterior cruciate ligament, one of the four ligaments that connects the shinbone and thighbone. It is common in people who play basketball or ski because sudden change of direction is one of the biggest causes of a tear. The anterior cruciate ligament can also be injured after a direct knee blow or jump. Pain and swelling are among the first symptoms.
bursitis
Some knee injuries cause inflammation of the bursae (sacs that surround the joint bone) in the knee. Thanks to these vesicles, tendons and ligaments glide smoothly over the joint. Knee bursitis has symptoms such as pain, redness, swelling and limitation of movement.
Osteoarthritis (Joint Calcification)
Osteoarthritis, also known as calcification, occurs over the years due to wear on the joints and deterioration of the articular cartilages. It is a non-inflammatory rheumatic disease. Damage to the cartilage causes pain. It can have different causes such as weight problems, injuries, joint diseases, family history of arthritis or muscle weakness. It is more common in later ages, due to aging. When it comes to calcification, keeping the knee immobile for a long time or, on the contrary, moving the knee too much increases the pain.
Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases
Inflammatory rheumatic diseases (such as gout, Behçet’s syndrome, Familial Mediterranean Fever) can be seen at almost any age and affect not only the joints but the whole body. Diseases in this group are related to immune system disorder. In inflammatory rheumatic diseases, pain can affect all joints of the body, including the knees. The pain lasts for days and may be accompanied by symptoms such as swelling, limitation of movement, weakness, loss of appetite.
Osgood-Schlatter Disease
It is a painful complaint that mostly affects young people who are growing up and interested in sports. A slight pain is felt in the knee while resting. The pain becomes sharper when the knee is moved. There is tenderness and swelling in the area under the kneecap.
chondromalacia patella
In this condition, the pain is in the front of the knee and usually creates a squeaking sensation as the knee is extended forward. Sitting for long hours by bending the knee, going up and down the stairs, kneeling, squatting further increases the pain. This can occur due to excessive use of the knee, such as running, where the knee is subjected to constant pressure. At the same time, bad alignment of the foot and knee bones or a knee blow can also cause this discomfort. Physical therapy is usually recommended.
