Knee Problems: Causes And Treatments

The knee joint is made up a number of structures, which include ligaments, tendon, cartilage and bone. When any of these are affected either due to injury, such as a ruptured ligament or torn cartilage or some medical conditions like arthritis, gout and infections or sometimes some problem in the hip or foot, then it may cause knee pain.

Causes

A knee injury can affect any of the ligaments, tendons or fluid-filled sacs (bursae) that surround your knee joint as well as the bones, cartilage and ligaments that form the joint itself. Some sports put greater stress on your knees than do others, increasing your risk of knee injury. High impact games like soccer and basketball may cause an ACL injury or sudden twisting of the knee could cause a torn meniscus.

Fractures: The bones of the knee, including the kneecap (patella), can be broken during motor accidents or falls. People whose bones have been weakened by osteoporosis are also prone to fractures.

Knee bursitis: Some knee injuries cause inflammation in the bursae, the small sacs of fluid that cushion the outside of your knee joint causing knee pain.

Patellar tendinitis: Tendinitis is irritation and inflammation of one or more tendons.

Medical Conditions

Osteoarthritis: Also called degenerative arthritis, is a wear-and-tear condition that occurs when the cartilage in your knee deteriorates with use and age.

Rheumatoid arthritis: It is the most debilitating form of arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition that can affect almost any joint in your body, including your knees.

Gout: This type of arthritis occurs when uric acid crystals or calcium-containing crystals (pseudogout) build up in the joint. While gout most commonly affects the big toe, it can also occur in the knee.

Septic arthritis: Septic arthritis often occurs with a fever. There’s usually no trauma before the onset of pain. Sometimes your knee joint can become infected, leading to swelling, pain and redness.

Other problems

Excess weight: Being overweight or obese increases stress on your knee joints, even during ordinary activities such as walking or going up and down stairs. It also puts you at increased risk of osteoarthritis by accelerating the breakdown of joint cartilage.

Lack of muscle flexibility or strength: A lack of strength and flexibility are among the leading causes of knee injuries. Tight or weak muscles offer less support for your knee because they don’t absorb enough of the stress exerted on the joint.

Previous injury: Having a previous knee injury makes it more likely that you may injure your knee again.

Iliotibial band syndrome: When the tough band of tissue that extends from the outside of your hip to the outside of your knee (iliotibial band) becomes so tight that it rubs against the outer portion of your femur, it can cause knee pain.

Dislocated kneecap: This occurs when the triangular bone (patella) that covers the front of your knee slips out of place.

Hip or foot pain: In some cases, problems in the hip or foot can cause pain in the knee.

Treatment in India

Not all knee pain is serious. But some knee injuries and medical conditions, such as osteoarthritis, can lead to increasing pain, joint damage and disability if left untreated. In India there are many companies that provide world class health facilities at very affordable cost, Like Orthopaedic Surgery India, Travcure Medical Tourism etc. Travcure Medical Tourism is one of the company that can help you find the best doctors and surgeons in the field for your treatment and at very affordable cost. These companies also takes complete responsibility of making all other arrangements like Visa, accommodation, appointments, e.t.c, and strive to make your medical trip a very relaxed and memorable experience.

Source by Kimmie Rollison