Overview
Medically reviewed by Dr. Rabeya Afroz Shomi
What is Knee Pain?
Knee pain is a situation which can commonly affect to the people of all ages. An injury, such as a ruptured ligament or torn cartilage may also cause knee pain. Certain medical conditions such as arthritis, gout and infections can also result in knee pain. Minor knee pain can be cured with some physical therapy. However, in some cases your knee may require surgical repair.
How do you get knee pain to go away?
Adequate rest and some light exercise along with prescribed medication can help to get rid of knee pain. Here are some tips to reduce or get rid of knee pain.
- Give your knee sufficient rest
- Ice it to curb pain and swelling
- Compress your knee through an elastic bandage, straps, or sleeves to wrap the joint
- Take anti-inflammatory medications
- Practice stretching and strengthening exercises (Only when doctor recommends).
What can cause knee pain without injury?
Though, knee pain caused by an injury is understood but there are several factor which causes knee pain. Some mechanical problems such as Loose body, Iliotibial band syndrome, Dislocated kneecap, Hip or foot pain, etc may also result in knee pain. When a loose body interferes with knee joint movement, the problem of knee pain starts. Iliotibial band syndrome is more likely to influence distance runners. When the Patella that covers the front of your knee slips out of place, usually to the outside of your knee, it is called Dislocated kneecap.
How Serious knee paincan be?
Lack of attention towards strong knee pain may end up causing you a lot of problems in the future. A chronic knee pain that is affecting your life is a sign that something is wrong. A serious condition will not heal itself automatically, and if left unheeded, can cause severe pain and irreversible damage.
With the passage of age, knee joints become more vulnerable and we do not bounce back from injury easily. In case, your knee is very swollen, or you cannot put weight on it, you must seek for professional help, as this could be a sign of tendon or ligament damage.
If you can feel something moving around in your knee, it could be that a piece of bone or cartilage has come loose. Apart from that the knee pain can also be a sign of osteoarthritis, a degenerative disease of the joint. It needs to be cured as early as possible. With osteoarthritis, a person must chalk out a plan to manage the pain and help to protect the knee from getting worse. Some other signs and symptoms that may occur during the situation of knee pain are as follows:
- Pain during bending or straightening the knee
- Swelling and stiffness
- Weakness or instability
- Crunching noises
- Inability to fully straighten the knee.
How do I relieve knee pain?
One can't prevent knee pain caused by injuries because that may happen anytime, but for other factors causing knee pain, a person can adopt some habits to prevent it.
Stop exercising if it causes you knee pain
Legs stretching before and after physical activity.
Always Use knee pads to prevent bursitis especially while kneeling
Wear well fitting shoes for enough support.
Regular stretching and strengthening to keep your thigh muscles strong
Work to drop some pounds of your weight, if you're overweight
If the knee pain further persists then you can opt for ayurvedic treatment for knee pain. Ayurveda Doctors can prescribe ayurvedic remedies and can also give lifestyle advice in order to restore the health and well-being of the patient.
Is walking good for knee pain?
Although, running and jogging may put stress on knees, but walking (in speed) has low influences on your knees. Speed walking is also a great exercise for the whole body. It is noteworthy that beginners should stick to flat and smooth surfaces. until their walking muscles gets strengthened. Walking can help easing up your knee pain in several ways.
- Rebuilds joints: Regular walking and exercise can help rebuild the joints, reduce pain, stiffness. Also when you walk, the cartilage gets nutrients from the compression and decompression of your body weight.
- Builds muscles: Walking builds your muscles so they can take the pressure off your joints and handle more of the weight themselves hence lessening the knee pain.
- Helps in losing weight: There's four times less pressure and stress on your knees with every pound you lose. Less pressure on your knee also reduces pain. Hence, walking is a great way to help you lose extra weight.
- Although some people get so excited that they overdo it and get sore the next day. According to experts, you should try a little bit one day and see how you do. There are also some warning signs that you should stop when swelling increases suddenly, severe pain, feeling unstable.
What's the best exercise for bad knees?
Here are a few exercises which are generally recommended to the people suffering with knee pain.
- Step-Ups
- Partial Squats
- Calf Raises
- Straight-Leg Raises
- Side-Lying Leg Lifts
- Short-Arc Knee Extensions
- Hamstring Stretch
- Inner-Thigh Leg Lifts
- Hamstring Curls
- Prone Straight Leg Raises
- Wall Squats
- Calf Raises
- Step-Ups
- Side Leg Raises
- Leg Presses