Mia
Aching knees can be a debilitating and painful problem for many people. It’s estimated that more than 50 million Americans experience knee pain on a regular basis, with the most common complaints being knee swelling, difficulty walking, a feeling of instability or giving way, and pain in the kneecaps. The knee joint is one of the largest joints in your body, and it’s also one of the most used because it bears weight during every step you take. Unfortunately, this means that it’s more susceptible to injury – especially if you have arthritis or an old sports injury! If you’re struggling with chronic knee pain there are several things you can do.
1. What is chronic knee pain
Chronic knee pain is defined as a dull, throbbing, or aching pain in the knee that lasts more than 12 weeks. Knee pain can be caused by injuries, such as an ACL tear or damage to the cartilage in your knee, alongside problems like arthritis and improper alignment of the kneecap. With so many different causes and triggers for knee pain, it can be difficult to figure out what’s causing yours. A few things you should consider:
- Severity: Pain may increase in severity with activity and worsen at night
- Number of Activities that Trigger Pain: Knee pain may come and go throughout the day with certain activities
- Duration: If your knees hurt when you’re running but not when you’re walking, it’s likely not an issue with your knee joint
- Location of Pain: Is the pain on the front or back of the kneecap? Or does it feel like there is pressure all-around your knee cap?
- Does It Get Worse Over Time? If so, you should schedule a doctor’s appointment as soon as possible. Treating knee pain often depends on what’s causing it. In some cases, rest and ice packs can help alleviate pain. Patients often compare knee brace vs knee immobilizer to see which method is best for their needs. Others find relief through physical therapy, weight management, and over-the-counter pain medication.
2. The Causes of Chronic Knee Pain
Injuries can cause chronic knee pain, but so can being overweight or being an older adult. Arthritis can also be a contributor to chronic knee pain, especially when it’s in the large joints, such as the knees and hips. Osteoarthritis is another form of arthritis that causes a buildup of cartilage within the joints which leads to pain and swelling. That said, there are many ways to treat chronic knee pain as well as prevent it from happening in the first place.
3. Treatment Options for Chronic Knee Pain
There are a number of treatments available for chronic knee pain, depending on the person’s symptoms and cause of pain. If you have injuries, such as an ACL tear or damage to the cartilage in your knee, your doctor may recommend wearing braces, physical therapy, and medication to help manage pain and swelling. Braces and other support gear can help reduce the pain greatly, and on this link, you can see what are some of the options available today. In other cases, treatment may include injections into the joints to reduce inflammation. In all cases, however, it’s important for sufferers to find out what is causing their chronic knee pain before they start treatment to make sure that they don’t miss a more serious problem. It’s also important for sufferers to find a treatment that will work with their lifestyle and help them get back to living a healthy life!
4. Preventing the Development of Chronic Knee Pain
In order to prevent the development of chronic knee pain, you’ll want to take steps that alleviate your symptoms. If you have a mild injury, this may mean avoiding any activities that worsen the pain and swelling. Injuries such as an ACL tear or damage to the cartilage in your knee will require more intense treatment – but it’s worth it to find relief from the pain! There are also ways that you can prevent knee pain from happening in the first place, including eating a balanced diet, staying hydrated, and avoiding injuries. If you’re overweight, losing just 5% of your body weight can help reduce chronic knee pain and can help halt the progression of pain.
5. Tips for living with chronic knee pain
Living with chronic knee pain can be incredibly difficult – but there are ways to manage it and get back to living a normal life. One thing that can help is using an ice pack, taking anti-inflammatory medication, and using compression stockings during activities. These three things have helped to reduce inflammation and relieve symptoms. Make sure you find the right doctor for you that is able to help you find the best treatment for your symptoms.
6. How to find a doctor who specializes in treating people with chronic knee pain
Talk with your primary care physician to find out what they think the best course of treatment is. If you keep your doctor up-to-date on what’s going on with your knee, they can refer you to someone who will be able to better help. You may also want to visit a sports medicine clinic or orthopedic urgent care specialist if you know there is an underlying issue causing the pain.
Chronic knee pain is a common problem that can be caused by many different things, such as injuries or arthritis. It’s important to find the underlying cause of your chronic knee pain because it could be something more serious and require intensive treatment! Luckily there are lots of ways you can treat chronic knee pain depending on what has caused it, like physical therapy and medication. You may also want to try some lifestyle changes in order to prevent developing chronic knee pain. We hope this article answered some of your questions. Don’t hesitate to seek professional help if you feel it is required!
