Our knees are our most important joints that keep us standing and allow us to move. Our knees, which often have to carry a load 5-6 times our body weight, can become painful over time for many different reasons. Knee pain can be the biggest problem that directly affects our quality of life.
Our knees play very important roles not only in activities such as walking and running, but also in many other activities such as bending, standing, squatting and balancing. It has a very complex structure that is open to damage at any time.
The causes of knee pain may vary depending on age
Knee pain may be due to structural problems or sports injuries in young people, while as age progresses, wear and tear and muscle weakness may occur. Reasons appear as the causes of knee pain. If you want, let's take a brief look at the diseases that cause knee pain the most...
1-Chondromalacia Patella
Chondromalacia patella occurs due to the incompatibility of the kneecap cartilage and the knee joint. It is very common at young ages, especially in those with weak upper leg muscles called quadriceps, in those with long legs, and in women due to hormonal reasons. The most common cause of knee pain in this age group is chondromalacia patella.
Since the kneecap does not fit properly into its socket in the knee joint, the pain is triggered by keeping the knee bent or standing in a fixed position for a long time. The patient feels severe pain at the first knee movement after a long period of inactivity. As the knee moves, the pain eases but does not go away completely. Patients also complain of difficulty in going up and down stairs and a sudden feeling of emptying in the knees.
Treatment should be planned in multiple aspects. In order to place the kneecap in its socket in the knee joint, the knee and upper leg muscles should be strengthened, the kneecap should be supported with a knee brace or special taping methods, cartilage nourishing glucosamine and collagen supplements should be made to eliminate the damage that causes pain in the kneecap cartilage, and the person should comply with the requirements in daily life and working environment. Training should be given regarding ergonomics.
In chondromalacia patella disease, the pain is in the front of the knee.
Knee calcification occurs at an early age in untreated patients.
2-Meniscus Tear.
Menisci are auricle-shaped structures that distribute the load within the knee, prevent the knee cartilages from rubbing against each other, and enable us to maintain balance while walking. There are two menisci in each knee, inner and outer.
Meniscus tears can be seen especially in young ages due to sudden impacts to the knee, and in older ages due to water loss and wear. Being overweight paves the way for a meniscus tear.
Patients with a meniscus tear complain of a sudden feeling of emptying in the knee, difficulty in going up and down stairs, periodic tripping in the knee, and severe pain.
Patients with a meniscus tear experience pain. It is often felt in the back of the knee. Difficulty in going up and down stairs and a feeling of emptying in the knee are quite typical complaints.
Meniscus tears appear to be quite common in society. Not every meniscus tear is treated. If there are complaints mentioned above, it is necessary to treat the meniscus tear.
In the treatment, if the tear is small, muscle strengthening around the knee and PRP or STEM CELL applications inside the knee are preferred. In larger tears, the torn meniscus must be cleaned with arthroscopy surgery. Untreated tears can cause serious locking and pain.
3-Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury
The anterior cruciate ligament is the most important knee ligament that holds the knee in place. It is used to control the knee, like a horse's bridle, and to prevent excessive load on the knee during sudden movements. The anterior cruciate ligament can tear, especially in people who do active sports, as a result of direct blows to the knee or uncontrolled falling to the ground.
In people with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament, knee pain occurs over time due to excessive movement in the knee and wear of other structures of the knee. may occur. This feeling of pain or discomfort is more evident during sudden movements or when the person runs or jumps uncontrollably. A frequent feeling of discharge may occur in the knee. Excessive swelling may occur in the knee from time to time.
MRI image of the ruptured anterior cruciate ligament
Untreated anterior cruciate ligament ruptures almost always cause knee calcification at an early age in later ages. It must be treated especially in people under the age of 45, people who are active in sports and professional athletes. For patients diagnosed after the age of 45-50, conservative treatment, weight loss and exercise may be recommended depending on the degree of their complaints.
4-Cartilage Wear (Calcification) in the Knee Joint
Knee calcification is the cause of many knee problems. It occurs as a result of the disease and is the reason why almost half of the patients over the age of 50 consult a doctor.
Being overweight, not doing sports, female gender, and constantly working on the knee are the reasons that increase the possibility of knee arthritis. Knee injuries at a young age, knee surgeries, and congenital abnormal knee anatomy also cause cartilage wear in the knee joint.
Obesity has begun to emerge as the most common cause of knee arthritis in recent years.
Patients. He complains about not being able to walk for long distances, not being able to bend his knees comfortably, and periodic swelling and pain in his knees. Most of the time, these complaints are severe enough to cause the patient to be unable to perform daily tasks.
The primary aim in patients with cartilage erosion or calcification in the knee joint is to change the factors that can be changed for the patient. Patients are advised to lose weight. Physical therapy aims to reduce the load on the patient's knee by strengthening the upper leg muscles and the muscles around the knee. In addition, the treatment is supported with glucosamine, collagen and hyaluronic acid supplements that will increase cartilage production and function. Again, painkillers can be given to the patient at regular intervals during periods when the patient's pain worsens. Painkiller use must be controlled in these patients, otherwise it may cause kidney failure, osteoporosis and stomach bleeding!
5-Quadriceps Weakness
The quadriceps muscle is located in the upper leg, just above the kneecap. Weakness in the quadriceps muscle causes pain, especially in the kneecap.
The quadriceps muscle group is one of the most important structures that holds the kneecap in place. When it is weak, pain in the front of the knee appears.
The quadriceps muscle may be weak, especially in people who do not do sports. Weakness in this muscle predisposes to knee injuries. In addition, damage to the nerves feeding this muscle causes muscle weakness and knee pain. Patients with polio sequelae This muscle is weak here. Patients with a herniated disc may sometimes complain of knee pain due to muscle weakness, without having back pain.
In its treatment, it is recommended to first correctly identify the cause of muscle weakness and then exercise or treat the underlying disease to eliminate the cause.
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