Knee Pain

                                                                                                        

Knee Pain

Knee pain is a common health problem that affects individuals of all ages. Knee pain is also the results of an injury, like a damaged ligament or torn cartilage. Medical conditions arthritis, gout, and infections — can also cause knee pain. In some cases, however, your knee might need surgical treatment.

Structure of the Knee

The knee joint's main job is to bend, straighten, and bear the load of the body, together with the ankles and hips. The knee is not a simple joint, it also twists and rotates. The performance of all those actions and to support the whole body depends upon various structures

like bones, ligaments, tendons, and cartilage.

Chronic knee pain

Chronic knee pain is long-run pain, swelling, or sensitivity in one or both knees. The reason behind your knee pain can verify the symptoms you face. Several conditions can cause or contribute to chronic knee pain, and lots of treatments are available in the medical field. Each person’s experience with chronic knee pain may be completely different.
 Physical therapy and knee braces can also facilitate relieve knee pain. In some cases, however, your knee might need surgical treatment.

Types of Knee Pain

1.     Anterior (Front of the knee)

Among the common causes of pain on the surface of your knee are lateral cartilage injuries, as well as an injury to your lateral collateral ligament (LCL). An LCL injury usually leads to lateral knee pain, swelling, bruising, stiffness, and instability of your knee.

    2.   Posterior (Back of the knee)   

Posterior knee pain may be a common problem. The differential diagnoses for posterior knee pain are pathology to the bones, musculotendinous(medical term) structures, ligaments, or to the bursas.

1.            3.  Medial knee pain (Inside of the knee)
   

Medial knee injuries are inside of the knee and this type of pain is the most common.

                          4. Lateral Knee Pain(Sides of the knee)

     The most common cause of lateral knee pain is inflammation of the distal portion of the iliotibial band. Iliotibial band syndrome may be an injury and due to this injury patient is not able to do exercise. Although iliotibial band syndrome is diagnosed clinically, it may be very difficult to treat.

Knee pain while bending

Overuse falls, or repeated bending and motion may irritate the bursa on top of your kneecap. That results in pain and swelling. Doctors call this condition a disjointed kneecap, it means that your kneecap slides out of position, inflicting knee pain and swelling.

    Knee pain while walking

This can be because of a serious injury or overuse of the knee joint. The pain of bursitis is also felt on the inner knee, around two to three inches below the knee joint. Inner knee pain is also caused by a sprain or tears in the medial collateral ligament.T his injury sometimes ends up in nearly immediate swelling or pain.


Therapies and food for knee pain relief

Therapies and supplements which will facilitate ease your knee pain.

v Use RICE for stretches and twists
If you’ve twisted your leg, taken a fall, or otherwise strained your knee, first aid at home is useful. The acronym “RICE” is helpful for treating strains and sprain.

v Elevation
Get off your feet and apply a bag of ice to the knee. Frozen vegetables, like peas, will work if you've got no ice handy. Wrap your knee with a compression bandage to stop swelling, however not so tight it cuts off circulation. While you’re resting, keep your foot raised up.

v Taichi
Tai chi is an ancient Chinese sort of mind-body exercise that improves balance and flexibility. According to a study revealed in Arthritis and Rheumatism, researchers found that practicing tai chi is very useful for those with osteoarthritis. It reduces pain and improves range of motion. 

v Exercise and weight management
Daily exercise for the joint moving reduces knee pain in some individuals. For those with arthritis, keeping motionless or reducing the range of motion to avoid pain can stiffen the joint and make it worse. Being overweight can worsen the problem in addition, therefore weight management is very important.

v Heat and cold medical care
Using a hot pad to rest your knee and it may facilitate to stay the joint from stiffening up. Wrapping a gel-style cold pack or cool compress around it can decrease pain and swelling. 

v Herbal ointment
In a study published in the Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences, researchers investigated a salve made from cinnamon, ginger, mastic, and sesame oil. They found the salve was even as effective as over-the-counter arthritis creams containing salicylate, a topical pain relief treatment.

v Willow Bark
According to a study, published in 2001, some people with arthritis got relief from pain by using willow bark. The extract is utilized by herbalists to treat fever, pain, and inflammation.

Warning!

 Don't take willow bark if you've got allergies to painkiller or you’re taking blood thinners. Don't provide willow bark to kids below  4 years old.

v Ginger extract
Ginger is accessible in several forms. It is purchased in pre-packaged supplement form at food or vitamin stores. Ginger root or tea are often found in the food market. The spice is used in several cuisines. Health advantages embody relief from upset stomach and nausea yet as pain relief for several conditions. A study of people with arthritis found that ginger helped to cut back pain when used in combination with a prescription treatment for arthritis.

v Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate
 These two supplements are widely popular over the past decade because of business advertisements claiming they promote joint health. Analysis has shown that the mixture had the lowest impact on pain for those with gentle to moderate osteoarthritis. However, both are known as beneficial supplements for severe pain.

Finding care
Before you are trying any home remedy, whether a dietary supplement or different medical care, you must discuss with your doctor. Some supplements may interact with different medications or have unwanted effects.
It’s also vital to search out the cause behind the pain. You may need blood work and X-rays to diagnose many serious aspects. As you find a cause of the problem, it will be easier to get recovery.

Medication for knee pain

Over-the-counter pain medicine is normally used as pain relievers, like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like naproxen and ibuprofen, play a role in the treatment of knee pain.

• These medications directly control pain and, at higher doses, act as anti-inflammatory drug agents, and to interrupt the inflammatory cycle. But like other medicines, these have bad effects too.

• You mustn't use NSAIDs if you've got a problem with bleeding or stomach ulcers or some kinds of kidney disease.

• Acetaminophen (Tylenol) may be used to control knee pain however doesn't have the anti-inflammatory drug properties. Still, this treatment is remarkably helpful knee pain, like osteoarthritis.

List of over-the-counter arthritis creams

• Bengay pain relieving cream. Bengay arthritis cream is employed to alleviate muscle and bone pain.

• Icy Hot vanishing gel

• Aspercreme odor-free topical analgesic cream.

• Myoflex scentless pain-relieving cream.

• Capzasin-HP arthritis cream.

• Sportscreme deep strong pain-relieving rub.

Foods for Knee Pain Relief

Fortunately, there are several foods that may ease inflammation and may facilitate relieve some of the joint pain related to arthritis.

1            1. Fatty Fish
Fatty fish is high in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D, it may be useful for reducing inflammation and also the severity of arthritis symptoms.

                2.Garlic
Human and test-tube studies have found garlic might possess anti-inflammatory drug properties, and its consumption reduces the risk of osteoarthritis

               

         3. Ginger

   Ginger has been shown decreased symptoms of arthritis. Test-tube and animal studies have found it to reduce inflammation, however, more research in humans is required.

               4. Broccoli
Broccoli has been related to reduced inflammation. It contains sulforaphane, which has anti-inflammatory drug properties, in keeping with test-tube studies. More research is required to look at the consequences of broccoli in humans.

               5.  Walnuts
Walnuts are high in omega-3 fatty acids, that may alleviate inflammatory disease symptoms yet as inflammation.

                 6.   Berries
Berries contain antioxidants that are shown to decrease arthritis-related inflammatory markers in test-tube and animal studies.

                         7.  Spinach
Spinach is wealthy in antioxidants as well as kaempferol. Test-tube studies have found that kaempferol may decrease inflammation and makes slow the progression of osteoarthritis.

                       8.    Grapes
Grapes have medicinal drug properties and contain compounds that will facilitate inflammation. However, further studies in humans are required

              9. Olive Oil
Olive oil has been shown to cut back inflammation and may be related to a lower risk of arthritis. One animal study found that it slows down arthritis progression and ease symptoms.

1                  10.       Tart Cherry Juice
Studies show that tart cherry juice may lower inflammation and alleviate some symptoms of arthritis.

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