Pain in the knee joint is one of the most common unpleasant sensations that every person has experienced at least once.The progression of diseases that can cause pain is due to the fact that the human knee consists of many structures and they are all subjected to enormous loads every day.Damage can affect any of the ligaments or tendons, or specific fluid-filled sacs, as well as cartilage tissue.This symptom can be a sign of diseases not only related to the knee, but also general diseases of the body or systems.
It is also necessary to distinguish during which pain appears, for example, knee pain when bending is characteristic of people leading an active lifestyle and often indicates a violation of the structure of joints and bones.Such spasms appear mainly in the later stages of the disease, when surgical treatment is inevitable.Knees often hurt and crack when squatting, this may indicate that the cartilage tissue is worn out (mainly seen in athletes due to constant running).Pain inside is caused by various pathologies of the joint or the appearance of neoplasms.The appearance of pain after childbirth is due to the fact that during pregnancy the female body has undergone many changes, due to which certain diseases could develop.
It is important to determine why pain in the knee joint is expressed, because some diseases can only be cured with the help of surgical intervention, and for some it will be enough to use traditional medicine.
Etiology
As mentioned above, there are many reasons why knees hurt, and they are not always directly related to injuries, diseases and bruises of the knee joint.The first group of factors consists of disorders that directly affect the knee joint, including:
- Gonarthrosis is a disease that most often affects people over the age of forty.The pathology generally affects both knees.The main symptom is pain and crunching when extending and squatting.The spasms are sharp and acute.The intensity level decreases when lying down;
- blood entering the joint cavity;
- Meniscus injuries can occur at any age, regardless of gender.Often only one knee is affected.This condition is characterized by severe cracking and pain in the knee when bending or after running.Additionally, the person loses the ability to move because they experience unbearable pain at the slightest movement of their leg;
- arthritis - the disorder develops very quickly, the inflammatory process spreads to the knee joints of both legs.It is best to start treatment as early as possible, as the disease spreads to other joints;
- violation of the integrity of the ligaments due to rupture, most often the internal ligament is sensitive, much less often the lateral ligament.In this case, swelling and limitation of motor functions are observed;
- various inflammations of the tendons - the occurrence of which has many causes, for example, infectious diseases or the influence of bacteria, injuries or bruises, allergies to medications or abnormalities in the structure of the body.With such disorders, knee pain is expressed internally;
- displacement or dislocation of the patella - occurs very rarely and mainly in children or athletes, after strenuous exercise or running;
- inflammatory process in the joint capsule.If treatment is not carried out on time, complications may arise and should only be treated with medical intervention;
- pathological processes in the synovial membrane that covers the joint;
- the appearance of a cyst inside the knee joint leads to pain behind the knee;
- destruction of the integrity of the adipose tissue covering the joint.Outwardly, this manifests itself in the form of swelling of the injured knee;
- osteoarthritis, in which the cartilage tissue becomes thin;
- various infectious diseases whose development can lead to arthritis.Knee pain occurs when walking, as well as after squats;
- bone tuberculosis;
- spinal pathologies cause the feeling that the knee hurts when walking;
- Metabolic disorders or salt deposits in the knee often lead to knee pain when squatting.
The second group of reasons includes other influences that cause pain in the knee joint:
- excessively high body weight;
- external injuries or bruises of the knee joint;
- working conditions that require a person to stand for several hours at a time;
- intense physical activity - this is why this disorder is most often observed in professional athletes, for example, after running;
- poor posture during work;
- wear uncomfortable high-heeled shoes.
There are several reasons why a woman's knees hurt during pregnancy:
- increased body weight (in some cases up to twenty kilograms);
- lack of calcium and other minerals in the body;
- the production of a specific hormone that softens ligament tissue.
After childbirth, all unpleasant sensations should disappear on their own, but if this does not happen, you should consult a doctor, as this may be a sign of the diseases described above.After giving birth, a woman may experience knee pain when squatting, standing, and straightening.This is due to the following reasons:
- intense muscle work during childbirth;
- a sudden involuntary movement during the birth of a baby can cause dislocation;
- if a woman suffered from various conditions of the musculoskeletal system before childbirth;
- When breastfeeding a child, fluid accumulates in the female body, which has a detrimental effect on the joints, which is why pain is felt when getting up and straightening the knees.
Symptoms
In addition to pronounced signs - pain of varying intensity and crunches when squatting, this manifestation has additional symptoms characteristic of the disease that caused knee pain when walking or other leg movements:
- sleep disturbances;
- increased body temperature;
- decreased or complete lack of appetite;
- stiffness of movements;
- increasing pain when walking.There is a noticeable improvement when sitting or lying down;
- noticeable swelling of the injured knee - can be observed from the inside;
- inability to shift weight on the affected limb;
- deformation of the patella;
- change in skin color on the knee;
- fever.
As soon as the first signs appear, you should immediately contact a medical institution for diagnosis and effective treatment.
Diagnosis
Since many disorders are caused by knee pain when walking, after running, while squatting and standing, the diagnosis should consist of:
- a detailed survey of the patient regarding the appearance of the first symptoms, the intensity of the pain, the place of its appearance (from the outside or from the inside), possible causes (for example, when walking, after running or childbirth), which provoke the pain;
- palpation of the knee by the attending physician to obtain a more complete picture of the localization of pain, as well as to identify swelling;
- analysis of the patient's blood for general and biochemical studies;
- x-ray - in which any pathology of the knee structure will be clearly visible;
- collection of fluid by puncture - carried out if the attending physician suspects bone tuberculosis;
- fluid perforation of the knee joint;
- arthroscopy - performed in case of damage to the meniscus, which causes knee pain internally.This method is carried out not only for diagnosis, but also during treatment;
- measurements of bone tissue density;
- Ultrasound of the knee;
- examinations of patients using MRI and CT scans.
Treatment
There is no single way to cure all diseases and disorders.The method of treatment for each patient is prescribed individually and depends on the cause and degree of intensity of spasms, whether the knee hurts when walking, after running, when squatting or getting up.Treatment methods prescribed to all patients without exception, including women after childbirth:
- reduce the load on the lower extremities so that no symptoms appear;
- apply a fixation bandage to the damaged knee;
- warm the knee with ointments or warming compresses.As prescribed by the doctor, use cold compresses, but not more than fifteen minutes a day;
- anti-inflammatory drugs.
If necessary, treatment is carried out by surgical intervention.
In addition, there are folk remedies that can reduce symptoms, but they can only be used after consulting a doctor.These pain treatments include:
- iodine network;
- compress with your own urine;
- a mixture of raw potatoes with kerosene;
- lotions made from apple cider vinegar mixed with egg yolk;
- ointment made from crushed potatoes with horseradish;
- onion compress, for this you need to cut it in half and apply half of it to the outer and inner sides of the knee;
- a solution of cologne and dandelion;
- tinctures of elecampane root and alcohol;
- compress made from black elderberry, chamomile and pine;
- calendula lotion;
- a mixture of mustard and honey.
Folk remedies are not recommended for women during pregnancy and after childbirth, when the baby is breastfeeding.
Prevention
To avoid knee pain while walking, after running or squatting, you should:
- adhere to a healthy lifestyle;
- always watch your posture;
- maintain normal body weight;
- warm up the muscles before training to avoid knee spasms after running and exercising;
- wear only comfortable shoes;
- promptly treat any illnesses that could lead to this disorder;
- undergo a preventive examination at the clinic several times a year;
- practicing gymnastics if a person's lifestyle or working conditions are in a standing or sitting position;
- avoid hypothermia;
- At the first symptoms, especially after childbirth or running, consult a doctor.