Knee Pain: Causes, Signs, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment, When To See Your Doctor?
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis – Thelifetoday.com
Osteoarthritis is one of the commonest causes of knee pain. It usually occurs in the elderly and overweight individuals. The cartilage lining our knee joint becomes eroded either as a result of aging or constant stress. Overweight individuals tend to have worn-out cartilage at a younger age because of the constant stress that weight puts on the knees. Osteoarthritis is a chronic condition, but it is treatable.
Sprained ligaments: Our knees are surrounded by ligaments for support, some of the ligaments are located within the knee joint cavity and are called the cruciate ligaments. Others surround the knee from the outside and are called the collateral ligaments. Ligaments can be strained by sudden extreme movements of the leg. They are usually mild and resolve rapidly.
Torn ligaments: Torn ligaments can occur if a more severe stress is applied to ligaments. The most common ligaments to be torn in the knee are the cruciate ligaments. This can occur when you overextend your knee or fall with your knee fully extended. It is one of the commonest injuries in football.
Tendonitis: The muscles moving our knee joint are very sturdy, yet over exertion can cause inflammation in their tendons, a condition known as tendonitis. It is a self-limited condition.
Bursitis: Bursa are small fluid-filled sacs surrounding our tendons and joints. They act as shock absorbers and cushions for muscles to slide over and reduce friction. Yet they can get inflamed and cause severe pain. It is also a self-limited condition that gets better with rest.
Torn cartilage (menisci): The crescent-shaped menisci can be torn if severe stress is exerted on them, mostly in excessive sports or in direct trauma to the knee. This is usually a treatable condition, but if the stress persists or if adequate treatment is not given, the condition can become chronic.
