The main cause of knee pain can vary widely, but one of the most common culprits is osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint condition. Other leading causes include injuries (such as ligament tears or strains), overuse, biomechanical issues (like misalignment), and conditions like tendinitis or bursitis. Knee pain often results from inflammation, reduced joint stability, or muscle imbalances. Physical therapy is crucial in providing faster relief from knee pain by addressing these underlying factors. Skilled physical therapists tailor treatment plans to the individual, combining techniques such as targeted exercises, manual therapy, modalities like heat or ice, and education on proper biomechanics. These interventions reduce inflammation, strengthen supportive muscles, improve joint mobility, and correct movement patterns. By doing so, physical therapy not only helps relieve pain but also promotes faster healing and a reduced risk of recurring knee problems. It empowers individuals to regain functionality and mobility while minimizing reliance on medications or surgery, making it an effective and conservative approach to managing knee pain.
There are a number of different causes of knee pain. A doctor could diagnose a specific problem that may be causing knee pain. Many of the common ones include injuries to the knee, mechanical problems, or Arthritis issues.
The best way to deal with long standing knee pain is to first, consult a doctor and make sure there is no current injury that requires treatment. Then, consider strengthening the joint area with water aerobics. Water Aerobics allows you to do a lot of bending and stretching with resistance on your joints, but not the full weight of your body. Also, if overweight, water aerobics will help you slim down and put less strain on your joints.
The test will consist of two different sections. This test is going to measure your skills in a clinical simulation.The written part will test all your knowledge of information you have learned through school.
Pain behind your knee can be the result of too much stretching of the knee. It can also be caused from having a skin condition where the skin is rubbing up on the knee and causing a painful itch.
Some of the exercises that can be useful in helping knee pain include the chair knee extension and the heel slide knee extension. It is important to see a doctor before beginning an exercise program.
To get rid of very bad knee pain one might need surgery. Other alternatives include icing the knee, doing a series of stretching exercises on the joint each day and resting for a number of days.
Pain - knee
Common CausesKnee pain usually results from overuse, poor form during physical activity, not warming up or cooling down, or inadequate stretching. Simple causes of knee pain often clear up on their own with self care. Being overweight can put you at greater risk for knee problems.
Knee pain can be caused by:
Less common conditions that can lead to knee pain include the following:
Home CareMany causes of knee pain, especially those related to overuse or physical activity, respond well to self-care:
Call your doctor if:
Your health care provider will perform a physical examination, with careful attention to your knees, hips, legs, and other joints.
To help diagnose the cause of the problem, your health care provider will ask medical history questions, such as:
The following tests may be done:
Your health care provider may prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that are stronger than those available over-the-counter. If those don't help, your doctor may inject a steroid to reduce pain and inflammation.
Referrals to a physical therapist (to learn stretching and strengthening exercises) and podiatrist (to be fitted for orthotics) may be necessary. These help prevent repeated problems.
In some cases, surgery is needed. For example, if arthritis is severe, a joint replacement may be recommended. Minor ligament strain will heal with home care and torn ligaments may recover with use of a knee brace. However, for significant tears or ruptures, as well as a torn meniscus, arthroscopic knee surgeryis often needed.
Recovery from ligament and meniscus problems is slow. Crutches and extended physical therapy may be needed.
PreventionFrontera WR, Silver JK, eds. Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2008:section 7.
Miller RH III, Azar FM. Knee injuries. In: Canale ST, Beatty JH, eds. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 11th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier:2007:chap 43.
Porcheret M, Jordan K, Croft P. Treatment of knee pain in older adults in primary care: Development of an evidence-based model of care. Rheumatology. 2007;46:638-648.
Labropoulos N, Shifrin DA, Paxinos O. New insights into the development of popliteal cysts. Br J Surg. 2004; 91(10): 1313-1318.
Knee pain is a common problem among adults, but it can also affect teens and children. There are a number of causes for knee pain, but the primary cause typically stems from stress and strain. Overworking the joints, ligaments and tissue in the knee can lead to pain, as well as a lengthy recovery period. This can be exacerbated due to the fact that almost everyone needs to use their knees on a daily basis for walking, sitting, standing and running.
If you've found yourself experiencing knee pain, it's important to see your primary care physician in order to determine the cause, as well as to seek relief. Your knee pain may also be caused by nerve damage or a nerve disorder. If this is the case, you may have a problem in one area of your body, but it actually produces pain in your knees.
Another common cause of knee pain is trauma. Falls, car accidents, motorcycle accidents and everyday bumps and scrapes can cause knee pain, and depending on the severity of the trauma, recovery may require having your knee placed in a cast, or in extreme cases, you may require hospitalization and bed rest. Once again, due to the everyday use of the knee, recovery times from trauma may be lengthy.
In older people, knee pain may be as a result of bone density issues. As you age, your bones begin to break down and calcium absorption slows, causing bone weakness. This is especially true in older women, and usually shows up in the form of osteoporosis. Fortunately, there are a number of prescription medications that are available through your doctor that can help your body to absorb more calcium, thereby allowing your bones to remain strong and healthy.
Upon visiting your physician, you will probably need to give a full medical history, as well as describe any physical injuries you may have recently suffered. Your doctor will then perform some imaging and flexibility tests. These may include taking x-rays, CAT scans or MRIs. You will probably be given a physical examination in which your doctor will move your limbs and torso in order to discover if movement is causing your knee pain.
Pain - knee
Common CausesKnee pain usually results from:
Simple causes of knee pain often clear up on their own with self care. Being overweight can put you at greater risk for knee problems.
Knee pain can be caused by:
Less common conditions that can lead to knee pain includebone tumors.
Home CareFor knee pain that has just started:
For knee pain related to overuse or physical activity:
Tips to relieve knee bursitis pain:
Call your doctor if:
Your health care provider will perform a physical examination, with careful attention to your knees, hips, legs, and other joints.
To help diagnose the cause of the problem, your health care provider will ask medical history questions, such as:
The following tests may be done:
Your health care provider may prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that are stronger than those available over-the-counter. If those don't help, your doctor may inject a steroid into the knee to reduce pain and inflammation.
You may need referrals to a physical therapist (to learn stretching and strengthening exercises) and podiatrist (to be fitted for orthotics).
In some cases, surgery is needed. For example, if arthritis is severe, a joint replacement may be recommended. A minor ligament strain will heal with home care and torn ligaments may recover with use of a knee brace. However, for big tears or ruptures, as well as a torn meniscus, arthroscopic knee surgeryis often needed.
Recovery from ligament and meniscus problems is slow. You may need crutches and long-term physical therapy.
PreventionFrontera WR, Silver JK, eds. Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2008:section 7.
Honkamp NJ, Shen W, Okeke N, Ferretti M, Fu FH. Knee: Anterior cruciate ligament injuries in the adult. In: DeLee JC, Drez D Jr, Miller MD, eds. DeLee and Drez's Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2009:chap 23, section D.
Huddleston JI, Goodman SB. Hip and knee pain. In: Firestein GS, Budd RC, Harris ED Jr, et al, eds. Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2008:chap 42.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 06/04/2011
Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; and C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Assistant Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Dept. of Orthopaedic Surgery. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
Some of the possible causes of knee pain with running include poor footwear, not stretching before the run, and not taking adequate precautions if there is knee pain. Swelling is a common symptom associated with knee pain and can be reduced using pain medications.
According to one expert the most common causes of minor knee pain are: strains, ligament tear, cartilage tear or osteoarthritis. If you have persistent knee pain you should get it properly diagnosed.
The best way to find out what the most common causes of knee pain are would be to research it on WebMD or talk to your family doctor.
Misalignment of the foot and overpronation are the leading causes of knee pain. These can lead to osteoarthritis or torn ligaments.
Most commonly, feeling a pain behind the knee is related directly to the Popliteus muscle. The Popliteus muscle is a very small muscle located behind the knee and should be checked by a doctor.
There are lot of resources available online which have information on knee pain causes, treatments and how to manage knee pain in long term. There are websites like ehow.com or coolrunning.com which are good resources for information on knee pain with running.
Pain behind the knee is usually caused by 1) Bakers Cyst: inflammation of the bursa (fluid filled sac) behind the knee 2) Cartilage tear 3) Arthritis 4) A hamstring injury 5) A knee sprain
There is a wide variety of symptoms and causes of severe knee pain. Besides a sudden injury or overuse of the injured knee, the pain can be attributed to bursitis, gout, and arthritis. Regardless of the condition, medical attention should be sought with knee pain.
Knee pain is fairly common. Some of the most common causes for knee pain are torn ligaments and runner's knee. If you pain is consistent, or if you also have swelling or feel that your knee might "give out", consult your doctor right away.
Several health conditions can cause knee pain, including repetitive movement or disease of the knee joint. In addition, injuries such as fractures, ligament tears, and arthritis also result in knee pain. The most common form of knee pain. is called primary osteoarthritis. Dr. Tushar Ubale is an Orthopedic doctor in Mumbai with strong expertise in knee pain management
Runners knee is a result of overuse, direct trauma to the knee, misalignment, problems with feet, and weak thigh muscles. Symptoms include pain behind or around the knee cap, pain when one bends their knee, pain that worsens when walking downstairs, swelling, and popping or grinding sensations in the knee.
Most causes of knee pain respond well to conservative treatments and resolve within 4-6 weeks. Knee pain caused by injury or disease may require surgery and lengthy rehabilitation.