Three Reasons You're Experiencing Severe Knee Pain
Posted on: 13 January 2016
When you're exercising, walking up a flight of stairs or even standing, you are using your knees. For this reason, knee problems are common. While slight discomfort might be a sign of overexertion, serious knee concerns can lead to serious knee pain. If you are experiencing significant pain and don't have a clue of the cause, here are just some of the reasons you might be experiencing this pain.
Ligament Injury
Ligaments are important because they connect your lower leg bones and upper leg bones together to keep your knees stable. A common injury is a torn anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL. A torn ligament can produce pain that is near debilitating, making it difficult to walk or perform everyday activities like standing.
While ligament injuries are common for athletes, this injury can come about in a number of ways. Twisting your knee when your foot is planted, quickly shifting your weight from one leg to the other, and forcefully hitting your knee on a hard object are just some of the ways this type of injury can occur. In mild cases, rest and icing can resolve the issue. In more serious cases, ligament reconstruction may be necessary.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition that causes the body to fight itself. When it impacts the knee, the tissue around the knee increases in its thickness and becomes inflamed. Over time, this inflammation can cause the knee cartilage to deteriorate.
In addition to pain, this form of arthritis can also lead to warmth and stiffness around your knee. There are medications you can take to treat this condition. Knee replacement surgery is an option in severe cases. Unfortunately, medical research has been unable to come up with a clear cause for this disease.
Cartilage Tear
Another condition that can cause pain is a cartilage tear. Cartilage is the flexible but hard tissue that overlays the ends of the bones. When there is a tear in this material, this is known as a meniscus tear. The meniscus is the part of the cartilage that provides both stability and cushion for the knee. When you damage this tissue, it causes pain.
A cartilage tear can come about when practicing poor posture during physically grueling activities like running or simply because of age, with close to half of all cases occurring in people over the age of 65. In addition to pain, swelling around the knee is also common.
For more information, contact Family Medical Clinic or a similar location.
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