All adults experience knee pain at some point or the other. Sometimes, it could be a mild pain caused by a sprain, whereas other times, it can be excruciating pain caused by a more serious injury. Whatever type of pain you experience in your knee, it will surely affect your day to day activities.
What is knee pain?
Knee pain is pain caused either in the knee joint’s bony structure or the knee cap, ligament, tendons, or cartilage. It is caused by injury, obesity, physical activity, or ageing. People of all age groups can experience this pain. Most goes away on its own with simple home remedies, but some severe cases may require medical intervention.
What are the main causes of knee pain?
Injury
Any direct blow to the knee bone could result in a knee injury. Sometimes, the impact can be so severe that it results in a fracture. People who are into active sports might experience ligament injury caused by a sudden stop and change in direction. Another type of injury is the meniscus injury, which is caused by a sudden twisting of the knee.
A knee injury is not only painful but also affects your day to day functions. All types of knee injuries require immediate medical attention.
Medical condition
Some underlying medical conditions can also result in knee pain. It can be difficult to pinpoint the exact cause and requires an experienced doctor’s help. The most common medical conditions that cause pain in the knees include:
Bursitis, which is an infection in the sac of fluid cushioning the knee bones.
Tendinitis, which is an inflammation of the tendons that connect the muscles with bone.
Baker’s cyst, which is fluid-filled swelling on the back of the knee.
Age
Age and the resulting deterioration of bone can result in knee pain. The most common age-related factors are osteoporosis and osteoarthritis.
Osteoporosis occurs when the bone becomes weak and brittle, often due to age. The weakening of the bone results in pain and breakage. Osteoporosis can affect any part of the body, like the hip, spine, and fingers. When osteoporosis affects the knee, it results in pain in the knees.
Osteoarthritis is a condition in which the cartilage that cushions the bone deteriorates over time. This results in pain, stiffness, and tenderness of your knee. Hear more about osteoarthritis from Dr Sean Leo, orthopaedic surgeon from Orthokinetics:
This writer is part of the Medical Channel Asia editorial team. The Medical Channel Asia editorial team brings together a diverse group of seasoned journalists, pharmacists, and doctor to deliver breaking news, insightful analysis, informed opinions, and thought-provoking perspectives into the world of healthcare.
