Nothing works without our knees, and we don’t realize it until something happens to them. Knee pain can appear suddenly or become more noticeable over time. In addition to acute discomfort, chronic pain severely limits the quality of life. You should not ignore knee pain if you want everything to return to normal as soon as possible.
The knee forms the largest and most complex joint in the human body. This structure comprises a combination of long bones, cartilage, ligaments, and fluids and plays a crucial role in our species’ movement. It supports most of a person’s body weight while standing, allows the leg to bend, extend, rotate, and pivot, and is the protagonist of flexion-extension movements. Without this coordination, sporting activities and even the most basic travel would be unthinkable.
High stress, physiological complications, and physical strain during movement commonly injure the knee. Without further ado, and according to scientific sources, injuries to this joint represent up to 41% of accidents that occur during sports. The following lines describe the main issues related to knee pain and how to recognize it before it becomes a serious problem.
What is knee pain?
Knee pain is medically known as gonalgia. This condition causes pain in any part of the knee. The name changes depending on which knee has the pain: left gonalgia, right gonalgia, or bilateral gonalgia if both knees are affected.
We divide pain into two types based on its duration: if it lasts for a few days or weeks (but less than 3 months), it is acute. If it lasts for more than 3 months, it is called chronic pain.
We can often determine the nature of the problem by locating the exact spot of the knee pain. For example:
1. On the top or back of the knee: This usually indicates a problem with the muscles, tendons, or ligaments.
2. On the inside of the knee: Often a sign of a bone or cartilage injury.
3. In multiple leg and knee areas: This can be serious and requires prompt treatment.
Knee pain can be constant and sometimes get worse. It sometimes increases with walking, running, or lifting heavy objects and decreases with rest. Many people experience more pain in the morning, which eases in the evening.
But remember — symptoms may vary from patient to patient. If you have questions or persistent pain, it’s best to consult a doctor.
Where does your knee pain come from?
Essentially, any part of the joint system can be responsible for knee pain, from irritated tendons to myosclerosis or cartilage damage. Just as the causes of knee pain are diverse, so are their causes.
Symptoms of knee pain
Knee pain becomes noticeable after a day of use. Whether the pain is mild or severe, sudden or gradual in onset, it is one of the most common and noticeable symptoms.
Knee pain usually comes with these signs and symptoms:
1. You may suddenly feel pain or discomfort in your knee
2. Stability and weakness in the knee, or a feeling that the knee is giving way
3. Clicking or cracking in the knee
4. Swelling
5. Redness
6. Stiffness, locking, and inability to straighten the knee joint
Types of knee pain
Knee injuries can occur due to sudden movements, repeated trauma, or constant pressure on the joint. According to the team at our Granada Trauma Medical Center and Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Center in Granada, some common knee problems are:
1. Tendinitis: Inflammation of the tendons can occur during certain activities, such as running or jumping. Patellar tendonitis, also known as ‘jumper’s knee,’ is common in sports such as basketball.
2. Torn cartilage: The meniscus is a cushioning pad that absorbs shock and improves stability. Sometimes, the meniscus can tear as a result of an injury. If you experience pain, swelling, and stiffness, you may have torn your meniscus. Your knee may also buckle when you extend it.
3. Knee ligament or muscle injury: This is common among people who play skiing, basketball, and football. A sudden blow or sprain is usually the most common cause, and symptoms include pain, swelling, and difficulty walking.
4. Osteoarthritis is a rheumatic, chronic, and degenerative disease that causes the breakdown of cartilage in the knee joint and other joints, such as the hands. People with knee osteoarthritis usually experience pain, stiffness, deformity, and loss of function.
How is knee pain diagnosed?
To determine the cause of knee pain, a detailed medical evaluation, which includes a patient’s medical history and a physical examination, is first performed.
First, the doctor wants to know:
- How long has the pain been present
- What part of the knee is the pain located
- When does the pain increase or decrease
- Are there any old injuries, overuse, or joint diseases?
What doctors look for during a physical examination:
- Whether the knee is moving properly
- Whether there is swelling
- Knee alignment, strength, and soft tissue tenderness
- Whether there is any noise or abnormality when bending the knee
The doctor may also conduct specific tests, such as:
- Lachman test (to check the ACL ligament)
- McMurray test (to check for a meniscus injury)
When are imaging tests needed?
Doctors also perform tests to confirm the diagnosis or rule out other serious causes:
- X-ray: To look for fractures in the knee, osteoarthritis, or other bone problems
- MRI: To look for soft tissue conditions such as ligaments, meniscus, and cartilage
- Ultrasound: To look for excess fluid in the knee or inflammation (such as bursitis)
- Joint fluid analysis: If infection, gout, or rheumatoid arthritis is suspected
Knee pain treatment
The cause, severity, and the patient’s age or activity level determine the treatment for knee pain. Doctors generally divide the treatment into three phases: conservative treatment, medication, and surgery.
1. Conservative treatment
Doctors usually don’t recommend surgery in cases of mild to moderate pain. At this stage, doctors recommend taking the following steps:
- Follow the RICE method: Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation.
- Physiotherapy: Special exercises to strengthen knee muscles, increase flexibility, and correct walking posture.
- Training to correct the balance and biomechanics of the joints.
2. Medications and Injections
If the pain is severe, the doctor may prescribe the following types of medications or injections to reduce pain and inflammation:
- Paracetamol or NSAIDs (such as naproxen, ibuprofen)
- Corticosteroid injections – to reduce acute inflammation
- DMARDs – for long-term diseases like rheumatoid arthritis
- Hyaluronic acid injections – to maintain and comfort the joint (in osteoarthritis)
3. Surgery
When medication or therapy does not work or the injury is severe, surgery may be necessary. Some types of knee surgery include:
- Arthroscopy – repair of damaged tissue using a small camera and tools
- Ligament reconstruction – for ACL or other ligament injuries
- Osteotomy – to correct the position of the knee bone
- Partial or total knee replacement – if the knee is severely damaged
Our orthopaedic surgeons and physiotherapists understand the patient’s condition and determine the needed treatment steps. Complete rehabilitation is provided even after the operation.
Not all knee pain requires surgery. In most cases, rest, therapy, and proper medication can provide relief. However, if the pain is chronic or the knee movement is limited, you should contact a doctor immediately.
Conclusion
You should never take knee pain lightly. Because it is not just limited to movement—pain can gradually affect your lifestyle, independence, and even your mental state. But there is nothing to fear. Timely and proper treatment, adequate rest, appropriate exercises, and regular physiotherapy can help you overcome most knee problems. All that is needed is awareness and a little care. If your knees are healthy, you can be much more confident in every step of life. So, if the pain recurs repeatedly or interferes with your normal walking, consult a doctor without delay.