People of all ages can be affected by knee pain. A knee injury can affect ligaments, fluid filled sacs or tendons that surround the knee joint. It may also affect the ligaments, bones and cartilage that build the knee joint. Injuries like torn cartilage or ruptured ligament can cause knee pain. Some medical conditions like gout, arthritis and infections may be the reasons behind knee pain. While a minor knee pain may respond well to self care measures acute knee pain may require physical therapy or surgery to provide relieve.
Severity of a knee pain usually varies with the cause and condition of the affected knee. Common signs and symptoms accompanying a knee pain include stiffness and swelling, redness and warmth of the affected place. The affected knee may get “locked” and it becomes difficult to straighten it. When there is a fever accompanying the pain and the affected person is not able to flex the knee, it is time to consult a doctor.
There are several factors that may increase the risk of having a knee pain. Overweight or obese people put on more stress on their knee joints. As such, there is an increased risk for breakdown of cartilages that build up the knee. Knee pain may also arise from structural abnormalities like having one leg longer than other, flat feet or misaligned knees. Lack of flexibility and strength of muscles may also cause knee pain. Weak muscles are not able to absorb the stress exerted on joints resulting in excess stress and knee pain in long run.
Nature of knee pain complications may vary with age. Diseases like Patellar tendonitis, Osgood-Schlatter are common among young people causing severe knee pain. Seniors usually suffer from knee pain because of diseases like gout and osteoarthritis. There are certain sports that put great stress on knees. Skiing, football, cycling, jumps and sprinting are few of them. People participating in such sports are at high risk of complicated knee injuries resulting in severe knee pain. Having an injury in knee makes it more vulnerable to future injuries.
Knee pain can be managed and prevented by avoiding injuries and taking some simple measures. Controlling body weight reduces chances of having a knee pain other in addition to improving your appearance. It is necessary to wear good pair of shoes that provides support and makes you feel comfortable. Such shoes reduce chances of knee injuries. Warming up your muscles is necessary before starting any exercise or game. Stretch muscles at back and front of your legs for lowering tension on your tendons.
Strengthening your leg muscles helps in preventing knee pain. This can be done by weight training. However, all types of weight training should be done under expert guidance. Simple exercises, like walking, jogging and running, helps in increasing flexibility of knee muscles reducing chances of knee injuries and knee pain. It is not desirable to jump start with high intensity and high impact exercises. Gradually build up and maintain a level of intensity under proper guidance to get relieve from knee pain.
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