Recipe and Health Articles

It is important to make an accurate diagnosis of the cause of the symptoms so that appropriate treatment can be directed at the cause. Often, knee pain is the result of an injury, such as a ruptured ligament or torn cartilage. But some medical conditions can also bring one to his knees, including arthritis, gout and infections. In general, knee pain is either immediate (acute) or long-term (chronic). Acute knee pains can be caused by an acute injury or infection. Chronic knee pains are often from injuries or inflammation (such as arthritis) but can also be caused by infection.


Symptoms of Knee Pain

1:   Pain or deep ache of the knee usually in the front under, just above or below the knee cap.
2:   Stiffness and cracking of the knee joint.
3:   Locking or buckling of the knee. (this usually indicates a more serious problem and requires medical attention)
4:   Inability to walk comfortably on the affected side.
5:   Injury that causes deformity around the joint.
6:   Knee pain that occurs at night or while resting.
7:   Knee pain that persists beyond a few days.
8:   Swelling of the joint.
9:   Signs of an infection, including fever, redness, warmth.
10:   Fractures may be accompanied by swelling or bruising but are almost always extremely painful and tender. The pain is typically so severe that people are unable to walk or even put weight on the knee.


Causes of Knee Pain

1:   Sports that involve running and jumping and sudden stopping and turning, such as soccer, basketball, volleyball, tennis, and baseball, as well as contact sports such as football, wrestling, and hockey increase the risk of an acute knee injury.

2:   It may develop after an injury to the joint in which the bone and cartilage do not heal properly. The joint is no longer smooth, and these irregularities lead to more wear on the joint surfaces.

3:   Many people lean forward to work with one foot resting on the back of the ankle of the other foot, putting pressure on the Achilles tendon. This restricts the flow of nutrients to a tendon, which even under normal conditions has a poor supply.

4:   Knee pain is generally the consequence of another disease or condition, such as repeated trauma or surgery to the affected joint, or abnormal joint structures from birth.


Role of Exercise

Exercise is very important because it increases lubrication of the joints and strengthens the surrounding muscles, putting less stress on joints. Exercise in heated swimming pools-hydrotherapy-can bring enormous relief from pain and stiffness. It also helps with weight reduction and offers an improved sense of well-being.


Treatment

1:   Rest reduces the repetitive strain placed on the knee by activity. it gives the knee time to heal and helps to prevent further injury.
2:   Icing the knee reduces swelling and can be used for both acute and chronic knee injuries.
3:   Elevation also helps reduce swelling. It works with gravity to help fluid that would otherwise accumulate in the knee flow back to the central circulation.
4:   Gently massage or rub the area to relieve pain and encourage blood flow. Do not massage the injured area if it causes pain.
5:   Avoid high-impact exercise, such as running, skiing, snowboarding, or playing tennis, until your knee is no longer painful or swollen.
6:   Do not smoke. Smoking slows healing because it decreases blood supply and delays tissue repair.