Knees absorb lots of pressure every day. If you have a sore knee, it’s possible that you might just need more rest. However, some patients may continue to have issues with their knees after reducing their daily physical activity levels. Individuals with sedentary lifestyles might be more likely than other patients to develop problems with knee pain, since they may not have very much muscle mass.
Getting more information about knee pain can help you. An underlying medical condition might be causing your chronic knee pain. If the problem has been going on for a while, it’s often a good idea to discuss the situation with a physician. It’s important to be specific about your symptoms in these situations. If you’re experiencing aching below knee cap, the doctor should know. Medical experts can offer suggestions for aching knee pain relief.
You might be able to get the primary cause of your knee problem addressed. That said, many patients with consistent knee issues have to get the symptoms themselves treated regularly. Ice can be used to decrease the swelling that can occur in the knee area. Elevating the knee for a certain amount of time every day can also help.
The knees are important, yet fragile parts of the body. Your knees are necessary for walking, running, jumping, and even sitting. When pains in the knee persist, it can be especially painful and frustrating. The cause of the knee pain is often important in choosing a treatment plan that will effectively reduce the amount of pain. Whether the pain came on from overuse, injury, or age, the treatment will usually vary.
Knee pain from overuse
Pain that is associated with overuse is usually a temporary type of pain. It is usually caused by an overextension or overuse of the knee and its surrounding areas. This pain, although usually short lived, should be monitored closely. If you further injury your knee during this time of pain, it could easily make the damage much worse.
Additionally, it is important to monitor the type and length of the pain. Waiting too long for a diagnosis or treatment can lead to chronic pain, including osteoarthritis. Every year, 50% of U.S. adults develop a musculoskeletal injury that persists longer than three months. If your knee pain is not going away after a day or two, it might be time to consult with a physician.
Knee pain from injury
Knee pain can also occur from injuries. This is usually done by landing too hard or falling onto the knees. Because the knees are so fragile, it is important to be careful with them. When an injury does occur, physician consultation should be sought. Traditional treatments like physical therapy have the best results when they are started early. When patients go through physical therapy in a timely manner, they also tend to have lower medical bills and lower treatment needs. In a study, total medical costs for low back pain were $2,736.23 lower for patients receiving early physical therapy. Many injuries are caused during sports, so it can also be helpful to learn proper protection methods during sports. The National Center for Health Statistics reports that over 5 million sports related injuries occur annually in the United States. Physical therapy is also an effective treatment method for these types of sports related injuries.
Physical therapy works on strengthening the surrounding muscles to better support the injured one, in this case, the knee. Even muscles and joints that are in other parts of the body entirely, like the hip, can be strengthened to prevent further injury. If a person is dealing with knee pain, for example, they tend to use other parts of the body more frequently, sometimes leading to problems in these areas, like the hip. Physical therapy can also teach athletes proper stretching and warming up routines to prevent a repeat injury.
Knee pain from age
Unfortunately, there is not much you can do to prevent knee pain from age. As we age, the body?s ligaments break down and become weaker. This puts us in danger of increased injuries and pains. Some medical professionals believe that over the counter supplements, exercise, and good eating can protect these parts of the body. However, if the pain is already beginning, it is best to receive treatment as soon as possible. Physical therapy can be helpful and prevent the need for full knee replacements.
If a chronic knee pain or injury was already present prior to aging, the patient may need treatment options for arthritis, including both osteoarthritis and degenerative arthritis. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the number one most common form of arthritis. Sometimes it is referred to as a degenerative joint disease or wear and tear arthritis. This condition most frequently occurs in the hips, knees, and hands.
Knee pain affects millions of people, all over the world. It can severely affect your day to day life. The cause and onset type of your knee pain will be important in deciding on your treatment options. The most common causes of knee pain are injury, overuse, and age. The most effective treatment is physical therapy, especially when it is combined with other types of pain treatment.
