Knee pain is a frequent affliction, affecting individuals of all ages. Various injuries – including ruptured ligaments and torn cartilage – can be the cause of this discomfort, as well as medical conditions like arthritis, gout & infections. Fortunately, many minor knee pains are treatable with self-care measures such as physiotherapy or braces but in more serious cases surgical intervention may be needed to fully restore its functionality.
Symptoms
Commonly a culprit of discomfort, knee pain can range from mild to severe and may be accompanied by other symptoms. These include swelling, stiffness or instability around the joint; inflammation with associated redness and warmth when touched; popping or crunching noises while moving your leg; as well as problems straightening it out completely.
When to see a doctor
If your knee isn’t feeling quite right, it could be time to give the doctor a call. You should look for signs like an inability to bear weight or instability in your knee, swelling, impaired ability to extend and flex properly and visible deformity of the leg/knee. Additionally, if you have redness, pain or fever with severe joint pain due to injury – this is another reason why medical advice becomes necessary!
Causes
Knee pain can be caused by anything from a twist and turn to underlying arthritis, making it difficult for many individuals to go about their day without discomfort. To alleviate this common ache, understanding the source of your knee pain is key – whether due to injury or other medical issues such as mechanical problems and various types of arthritis.
Injuries
Knee injuries can be anything from minor to severe, and affect a variety of areas in your joint! From ligaments and tendons to bursae – the sacs filled with fluid that protect the area – they all play an important role. Some of the most common examples include strained muscles or torn ligaments; tendonitis; dislocated kneecap (patella); fractures/bone breaks around the knee region…and more.
- ACL injuries are a frequent source of pain for those who play sports requiring rapid turns and movements. These tears to the anterior cruciate ligament occur when the shinbone and thighbone become disconnected, resulting in excruciating discomfort that often sidelines athletes from their favourite activities.
- Falls and auto accidents can cause painful fractures to the knee’s fragile bones, including the kneecap. In addition, those affected by osteoporosis may be vulnerable to sustaining a bone fracture from an innocuous misstep.
- A torn meniscus can occur when you rapidly twist your knee while bearing weight on it. This rubbery cartilage acts as a cushion by absorbing the shock that is created between leg bones, protecting them from the daily wear and tear of movement.
- Knee bursitis can be caused by certain injuries, leading to inflammation in the fluid-filled sacs that surround your knee joint. So if you’re feeling pain and stiffness during movement due to an injury – it might just be time for a checkup!
- Patellar tendinitis is a condition resulting from an injury to the tendon that connects your kneecap (patella) and shinbone, enabling you to engage in activities such as running, skiing, cycling and jumping. Commonly found among runners and those who participate in sports with plenty of leaping involved like basketball or volleyball players; this inflammation may make it difficult for them to take part in certain tasks due to their painful symptoms.
Mechanical problems
Some examples of mechanical problems that can cause knee pain include:
When age or injury causes a fragment of bone or cartilage to separate and move freely within the knee joint it can be very disruptive. This ‘loose body’ acts like an irritating intruder, blocking regular motion much as if you were trying to open a door with something jammed in its hinges!
Iliotibial band syndrome is a common condition experienced by athletes who push their bodies to the limit, like distance runners and cyclists. This happens when an essential part of the anatomy—a tough layer of tissue connecting the hip to the knee (iliotibial band)—becomes so tight it rubs against your thighbone.
The kneecap is a small, triangular bone that forms the front of your knee joint – and it can sometimes slip out of place. A dislocated patella moves to the outside or edge of your leg and may be easily visible in certain cases.
Pain in your hip or foot can cause you to walk differently, putting extra stress on the knee and leading to additional discomfort. Be sure to address all areas of pain for full relief!
Types of arthritis
More than 100 different types of arthritis exist. The varieties most likely to affect the knee include:
- Osteoarthritis is a common form of joint degeneration that occurs when the protective cartilage in knee joints begins to wear thin due to age and overuse. Also referred to as ‘degenerative arthritis’, this debilitating condition affects millions worldwide, making it necessary for individuals suffering from osteoarthritis pain to take proactive steps towards managing their discomfort.
- Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition that can affect a wide range of joints and cause serious disability. While this chronic disease may ebb and flow in severity, it can have long-lasting impacts on knee health if left untreated.
- A gout is a form of arthritis that can cause intense pain and inflammation when uric acid crystals accumulate in the joint. While many associates this condition with affecting the big toe, it can also occur in other joints such as knees!
- Pseudogout is an often overlooked condition that should not be mistaken for gout. It occurs when calcium-based crystals form in the joint fluid and usually affect the knees, although it can affect any other joints too.
Your knee joint can become infected, leading to a painful battle with septic arthritis. This condition causes swelling and redness around the area of pain, along with an accompanying fever – but there’s often no obvious cause for it. Without quick treatment, septic arthritis has the potential to wreak havoc on your knee cartilage. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms in regard to your knees be sure to seek medical attention right away!
Risk factors
A number of factors can increase your risk of having knee problems, including:
- If you’re carrying a bit of extra weight around, it’s not only affecting your health – it can also be taking its toll on your joints. When overweight or obese, stress increases in the knee joint during mundane activities like walking and climbing stairs. Unfortunately, this can lead to the accelerated breakdown of cartilage and an increased risk of developing osteoarthritis down the line.
- Having adequate muscle strength and flexibility can be essential to your joint’s health and overall wellness. Without these two attributes, it is more likely you may experience knee injuries due to lack of support. Strengthening muscles provide stability for joints while improved flexibility allows one the full range of motion (ROM). Investing in both qualities will help protect your knees!
- Participating in certain sports or occupations increases your risk of a knee injury. Alpine skiing, basketball and other forms of exercise that involve a lot of running can put excess strain on the joint. Other activities like construction work or farming which require repetitive motions also significantly increase the chances for damage to occur. Keeping an eye on how much stress you place on your knees is recommended in order to reduce any potential harm from these activities!
- If you’ve experienced a knee injury before, it may be more likely that such an incident recurs. Take extra care to ensure proper precautions are taken when engaging in activities which could impact your knees – prevention is far better than cure!
Prevention
Although it’s not always possible to prevent knee pain, the following suggestions may help ward off injuries and joint deterioration:
- Get your active lifestyle back on track! Reducing extra pounds is one of the best ways to protect your knees. Every additional pound adds more stress on joints, making you prone to injuries and arthritic pain. So start shedding those few or many extra pounds now for a healthier life later!
- Take your performance to the next level by preparing for sports participation with a conditioning routine that strengthens muscles and gets you in shape! Make sure your body is ready to show what it can do on the field or court.
- To achieve greatness in one’s sport or activity, a commitment to perfect practice is key. Every action counts and having expert advice from a professional can make the difference between winning and losing. With persistence, dedication, and honing your technique you will be well on your way to mastering any undertaking!
- Strengthening your lower body is essential for knee health! Having strong quadriceps and hamstrings helps to protect against injury, while balance training increases overall stability. Strengthen up those thighs, and stay flexible – it’s a win-win situation for keeping your knees in top shape!
And because tight muscles also can contribute to injury, stretching is important. Try to include flexibility exercises in your workouts.
- Exercise is important for everyone’s health, but those with osteoarthritis or chronic knee pain should be particularly mindful of the type and intensity. Swapping out high-impact activities a few days per week can provide relief while allowing you to stay active — consider water aerobics as an enjoyable alternative that’s still beneficial!
CBD for knee osteoarthritis pain
CBD for knee pain has been found to be effective in managing chronic pain, reducing inflammation, and even preventing knee problems in some cases. When looking into options for knee pain relief, CBD can provide a natural alternative to traditional treatments such as ice packs and surgery.
Broad-spectrum and full-spectrum CBD products are available that contain cannabinoids from the cannabis plant, which can help with pain relief in areas like the knee joint. Many people have seen positive results from using topical CBD balms, creams and oils for their knee injuries or osteoarthritis pains.
There are several ways to apply CBD topically for knee pain relief, including directly massaging it onto the affected area or using a wrap or bandage after application. It is always important to check with your doctor before beginning any kind of treatment, especially when it comes to applying topical solutions around the knee joint due to potential side effects.
The Arthritis Foundation recommends talking with your doctor if you are considering taking oral CBD supplements or any other type of cannabis product for long-term use.
When it comes to choosing the right kind of CBD product for managing knee pain, there are many different types on the market. Most people find that full-spectrum CBD offers the most benefits because it contains all of the active compounds present in the cannabis plant, not just cannabidiol (CBD).
However, broad-spectrum products are also available that do not contain THC but still offer similar therapeutic effects. Ultimately, it will be up to you and your doctor’s discretion which type of product would be best suited for your particular needs when it comes to managing chronic pain due to a knee injury or arthritis condition
