Your knee joints are some of the most important joints in your body. And to keep them in good working order, it’s important to be active. But your knees are also particularly vulnerable to injuries. If you’re experiencing pain in your knees, one of these causes may be to blame:
- An old knee injury. If you have a knee injury that wasn’t properly treated, it’s like to flare up every so often. In other cases, the pain may be constant.
- Kneecap dislocation. Patellar dislocation is when the kneecap slides out of position. This can cause knee pain and swelling.
- Bursitis. Above your knee joint and under your skin is a sac called a bursa. When it’s overused with repeated bending, kneeling or falling, it can irritate the bursa and cause pain and swelling.
- Arthritis. There are three types of arthritis that are the most common for knee pain. They include rheumatoid arthritis (an autoimmune disease that causes the tissue around the joint to become inflamed and thickened), post-traumatic arthritis (which results after a serious knee injury, including bone fractures and ligament tears), and osteoarthritis (a progressive wearing of the cartilage in the knee joint.) When you have arthritis, it can be difficult to bend your knee.
- Loose cartilage. It’s not unusual for cartilage to become loose with a knee injury. When this happen, the pieces get stuck in your joint and lead to pain and swelling.
- Osgood-Schlatter disease. A condition that most commonly happens in teenagers, Osgood-Schlatter disease takes place when parts of the knee are still developing and changing. With overexertion during exercise, the bottom of your knee can become irritated and painful.
- Cartilage tears. This tough, flexible tissue covers the inside and outside of the knee. When it is torn it’s called a “meniscus tear,” a fairly common injury that can be fixed with surgery.
If you’re experiencing knee pain, visit your doctor for an evaluation. Together, you can discuss your level of pain, the flexibility and function of your knee, and your overall mobility.
Would You Like to Learn More about Understanding Knee Pain?
For more information about identifying the cause of your knee pain, or for any other questions regarding our services, schedule an appointment with The Orthopedic Center at 918-582-6800
