Knee pain is a frequently reported problem in adults, primarily linked to the natural deterioration caused by everyday movements such as walking, bending, standing, and lifting.
Additionally, athletes engaged in high-impact activities like running or sports involving jumping and quick changes in direction are more prone to knee pain. Regardless of whether knee pain results from ageing or injury, it can cause significant inconvenience and even hinder daily activities in severe cases.
Knowing the causes and symptoms with the proper diagnosis helps to determine the right knee pain treatment without surgery.
What should you know about knee pain?
The knee joint comprises bones, ligaments, tendons, cartilage, and a bursal sac, making it the most intricate joint in the human body. All these components must work harmoniously to carry out activities like walking, running, jumping, and bending.
The knee joint has the femur (thigh bone), tibia (shin bone), and patella (kneecap). It connects the thigh and shin bones, enabling the proper functioning of various body parts. A lubricant that is present in the bursa acts as a cushion, preventing friction between the knee bones.
Injuries to the knee area often result in knee pain. Knee pain can either resolve on its own or worsen over time. However, consider additional knee pain symptoms like swelling, restricted range of motion, popping sound, stiffness, and redness, and don’t ignore these symptoms. Contact a medical professional for a timely and precise diagnosis and treatment, as it is best to rule out severe knee pain conditions early on to access a timely treatment and prevent further damage to the knee joint.
What are some common knee problems?
Below are several factors that commonly contribute to knee pain:
MEDICAL CONDITIONS
- Various forms of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, lupus, and gout
- Baker cyst
- Cancers that either metastasize to the bones or originate in the bones
- Osgood-Schlatter disease
- Bone infections around the knee
- Infections in the knee joint.
INJURIES AND OVERUSE
- Bursitis
- Tendinitis
- Dislocation of the kneecap
- Fractures of the kneecap or other bones in the knee
- Iliotibial band syndrome
- Patellofemoral syndrome
- Patellar tendonitis
- Torn ligament, such as an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) or medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury.
How are knee problems diagnosed?
Once you undergo a complete physical examination and assessing medical history, doctors may recommend the following imaging tests:
- X-ray test
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Computed tomography scan (CT or CAT scan)
- Arthroscopy
- Radionuclide bone scan
After assessing the results, the doctors recommend the best-suited knee pain treatment without surgery. If non-surgical approaches fail to yield positive results, your doctor may suggest surgery as a final option.
Knee pain treatment without surgery
- The R.I.C.E. Formula, which includes rest, applying ice therapy, compression, and elevating the affected area, can be used at home to limit activities that may worsen knee pain symptoms.
- Pain-reducing medications, such as analgesics, aim to alleviate discomfort, while non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) help decrease pain and inflammation.
- Hyaluronic acid, a lubricating fluid found in the knee joint, may be recommended by a physician to enhance joint flexibility. This is typically done through hyaluronic acid injections.
- Corticosteroid injections into the knee can provide short-term relief by reducing inflammation, but the effects typically last only 1-3 weeks. Doctors typically limit the number of Corticosteroid injections into a joint, usually at most three or four times a year, as there’s concern that repeated Corticosteroid injections might damage the cartilage within a joint.
- Slowing the progression of arthritis can be achieved through activity modification, such as reducing knee bending and climbing stairs. Make lifestyle changes that focus on maintaining a healthy body weight to help prevent the worsening of this condition, as excess weight puts additional pressure on the knee joints.
- Physicians may suggest physical therapy as a treatment option, which can include exercises to strengthen the muscles around the knee joint and the use of assistive devices such as braces or crutches.
- Regenerative treatment for knee pain offers a comprehensive solution that includes Enhanced Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, BMAC (Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate), and SVF (Stromal Vascular Fraction) therapy. With Enhanced PRP therapy, you can restore normal structure and function of the joint, leading to significant improvement within 2-4 weeks. This therapy naturally stimulates the body’s healing mechanism to repair injured tissue and tackles the joint’s inflammation, providing pain relief. Similarly, BMAC and SVF therapy is a safe, rapid, and effective option that significantly improves the quality of life.
CONCLUSION
Don’t allow your knee pain to hinder your progress! Address your knee pain promptly to prevent it from escalating and further damage to the joint. Remember, you only have two knees, and both may be restored to the original joint condition in many cases, or in more severe cases, further damage can be prevented using regenerative treatment. There are better approaches to knee pain treatment than relying on knee replacement as a last resort. Are you ready to explore regenerative treatment for knee pain? Reach out to Medica Stem Cells Clinic, where a pain-free future is within your grasp.
OTHER FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESIONS
The major causes of knee pain include ligament injuries, osteoarthritis, meniscus tears, patellofemoral pain syndrome, bursitis, and tendonitis.
In the case of knee pain, osteoarthritis can play a significant role. The gradual deterioration of cartilage in the knee joint can cause the bones to rub against each other, resulting in pain and discomfort. Osteoarthritis can also lead to the formation of bone spurs, which further contribute to knee pain and limited mobility.
Furthermore, osteoarthritis can affect the synovium (the joint lining), causing it to produce excess fluid. This can lead to swelling and increased pressure within the knee joint, adding to the pain and stiffness.
Yes, poor posture can indeed affect knee pain. Poor posture can lead to spine, hip, and knee misalignment. Hence, it will put additional stress on the knee joints leading to knee pain and discomfort. Further, it contributes to the development of conditions like patellofemoral pain syndrome or osteoarthritis.
Yes. Here is the list of Non-surgical knee pain treatment:
- I.C.E (rest, ice, compression, and elevation)
- Medications
- Physical therapy
- Steroid injection
- Hyaluronic acid injection
- Regenerative medicine (prolotherapy, platelet-rich plasma therapy, and cell therapy)
