Causes of Pain While Bending the Knee- by Dr Markandaiya Acharya

 When it comes to knee pain, there can be a number of different reasons, especially when the knee is bent. This article will look at knee pain from the point of view of an orthopedician and explain in detail three typical causes: osteoarthritis, a torn meniscus, and patellofemoral pain syndrome.

Introduction

The knee is a complicated joint that helps you move around and supports a lot of weight as you go about your daily life. Any pain that comes from moving the knee can make a person's life very hard. It's important to find out what's causing the pain so that you can treat it correctly and help the person feel better.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease in which the cartilage in the knee joint slowly breaks down. As the cartilage goes away, the bones can rub against each other and cause pain, stiffness, and swelling. Most of the time, these sensations are worse when the knee is bent.

The goal of treatment for osteoarthritis is to reduce pain, improve joint function, and slow the disease's growth. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help ease pain and lessen swelling. Physical treatment can help strengthen and support the muscles around the knee. Changes to your lifestyle, like losing weight and staying away from things that make the pain worse, are also suggested. In serious cases, surgery may be a possibility.

Meniscus Tear: 

The meniscus is a piece of cartilage that keeps the bones of the knee joint from rubbing against each other. A tear in the meniscus can be caused by a quick twist or putting too much pressure on the knee, which can make it hurt to bend.

How a torn meniscus is treated depends on how bad it is and where it is. Rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE) treatment and painkillers can help reduce pain and swelling in mild cases. Physical therapy routines may also be suggested to help the knee work better and strengthen the muscles around it. But if the pain lasts or gets worse, or if there are other signs like the knee locking up or becoming unstable, you should see a doctor. A doctor or nurse may offer more tests, like an MRI, to find out what's wrong and decide if surgery, like arthroscopic surgery, is needed.

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFS)

Runner's knee, or patellofemoral pain syndrome, is a disease that causes pain around or behind the kneecap. It's often caused by overuse, bad placement of the kneecap, or an imbalance in the muscles. People with this problem may feel aching pain or a grinding sensation when they bend their knee.

Patellofemoral pain syndrome can be treated at home by resting the knee, putting ice packs on it, and taking over-the-counter painkillers. It can also help to do exercises to strengthen the thigh and hip muscles and to wear shoes with good arch support. But if the pain lasts longer than a few days or makes it hard to do everyday things, you should see a doctor. They can give a more accurate diagnosis, suggest special exercises or physical therapy, and think about other treatment choices like orthotics or corticosteroid injections.

Conclusion

Pain when bending the knee can be caused by osteoarthritis, a torn meniscus, or patellofemoral pain syndrome, among other things. Finding the exact reason is very important for figuring out how to treat the problem. It's always best to talk to a doctor or nurse to get a correct evaluation and a personalised treatment plan.

FAQs

Q1: Is it possible to avoid knee pain?

A1: Not all knee pain can be prevented, but keeping a healthy weight, doing regular low-impact exercise, and avoiding things that put too much stress on the knees can help lower the risk.

Q2: Are there any ways to treat knee pain at home?

A2: Yes, you can get brief relief from knee pain at home with things like ice packs, resting the knee, and taking over-the-counter painkillers. But it's important to talk to a doctor or nurse to get a full diagnosis and the right treatment.

Q3: Could knee pain be a sign of something more serious?

A3: Yes, knee pain can sometimes be a sign of something worse going on underneath. It is important to see a doctor if the pain is severe, lasts for a long time, or is followed by other symptoms that worry you.

Q4: How long does it take to get better after a torn meniscus?

A4: The length of time it takes for a torn meniscus to heal relies on many things, such as how bad the tear is and what kind of treatment is chosen. In some cases, a few weeks of careful treatment may be enough to get better, but in more complicated cases or after surgery, it may take several months to get better.

Q5: Can knee pain be helped by physical therapy?

A5: Yes, physical therapy can be very helpful for dealing with knee pain. A physical therapist can make a custom exercise plan to strengthen the muscles around the knee, make the joint more stable, and improve the knee's general function.