6 common causes of knee pain

Are you suffering from mild to severe knee pain? Find out which of these reasons is causing your pain

Knee pain has become quite common these days. It is not just restricted to the elderly population but is also a common occurrence among teenagers. This is because the knee joint is susceptible to damage as it bears the entire weight of your body. Although it has an immense ability to handle strain, repeated pressure can lead to knee pain. Here are some causes of knee pain you should know.

1. Injury: Sudden trauma to the knee after falls, awkward landing or sudden tripping over is a common cause of knee pain.

2. Sudden jerky movements: Acute knee pain is common with sudden jerky movements of the leg, straining the ligaments in the knees. Sometimes, repeated activities that involve the knees can strain them and cause pain. Such activities may stretch the knee tissues but may not cause permanent damage. A little rest and simple low impact exercises can lower the pain and make you feel better.

3. Tendon inflammation or tendinitis: Tendons are bunch of tissue bands that connect your bones to your muscles. Overuse of these tendons can make them susceptible to inflammation and infection. Knee pain that typically hurts the front of your knees and worsens especially when you walk on an inclination or climb the stairs may indicate tendinitis. People who regularly play football or basketball suffer from a condition called jumper's knee which occurs due to tendinitis.

4. Arthritis: Be it due to osteoarthritis, gout or rheumatoid arthritis, people who are above 60 are most likely to suffer from knee pain. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition that occurs due to overuse of the knee cartilage. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition which causes reddening and swelling of the joints due to inflammation.

5. Bursitis: The bursa is the cushion that protects your joints and is sac filled with fluid that is present around the knee. Bursitis is the inflammation of the bursa, which can be caused with activities like kneeling for a long time, overuse or direct trauma to the bursa.

6. Infection of the joint: Joint infection due to bacteria like Neisseria gonorrhoeae can cause a destructive form of arthritis, called septic arthritis. Although it is a rare cause of knee pain, it can destroy the knee if not treated promptly.

References:

• Chronic Knee pain Guide By V.T.
• Knee pain. A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopaedia

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• 6 yoga asanas to beat arthritis

For more articles on arthritis, check out our arthritis section, respectively. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest updates! For daily free health tips, sign up for our newsletter. And to join discussions on health topics of your choice, visit our forum.