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15 Authentic Reasons for Your Knee Pain

Chronic knee pain is a long term pain, sensitivity or abnormal swelling, in one or both of the knees. The symptoms associated with the knee pain are directly associated to the causes of the knee pain, and the cause of your knee pain, in particular. There are many situations that may lead to chronic knee pain. The good news is that there are many treatments available for managing chronic knee pain. All patients have a different experience when experiencing chronic knee pain.

ACL Injury

An ACL injury is related to the anterior cruciate ligament also known as ACL. Damage to this ligament is called ACL injury. These are one of those ligaments that connect our shin bone to the thigh bone. ACL injuries are caused by the sudden change in direction. This is the reason why they are exceptionally popular among basketball and football players. Though the damage occurs in the ligaments, this causes considerable pain in the knees and has to be treated immediately.
Fractures

The knee consists of a number of bones including the knee cap which is scientifically called the patella. The patella can be broken during road accidents or even when a person simply falls. These fractures in the knee cause severe pain in the knee. Some people, who have weak bones due to osteoporosis, can have a fractured kneecap simply by stepping wrong.
Torn Meniscus ¹

The meniscus is basically shock absorber pad that lies between the shin bone and the thigh bone. They are made up of tough and rubbery cartilage which is apt for this job. The meniscus can tear when the knee is twisted suddenly while already putting pressure on the knee.
Knee Bursitis

The bursae are tiny sacs of fluid that provide prevention against mechanical shock. These tiny sacs are filled with a fluid which is the reason why they have a cushiony effect all around the knee joint so that the ligaments and the tendons can glide over the joint smoothly. Inflammation in these bursae that are caused by some other injuries may also lead to knee pain.
Patellar Tendinitis

As already stated, the kneecap is called the patella. Tendinitis occurs when there are inflammations or an irritating sensation on one or all the tendons. Tendons are basically thick, fibrous tissues that are used to link the muscles to the bones. Sportsmen, such as those who are runners, skiers and cyclists, as well as those people who are involved in jumping sports and other such activities are more prone to develop an inflammation in the patellar tendon. The patellar tendon joins the quadriceps muscles in front of the thigh to the shin bones.
Loose Body ²

During some injury, or due to the degeneration of certain bones and cartilage, a loose part of a bone or cartilage may break apart and float in the body system till it comes and interferes with the smooth functioning of the knee joint. This loose body part shall create no other hazards of it is not involved with the knee joint neither will it create any pain or trouble unless it actively interferes with the knee joint in that area. This effect, in simple words, can be described as what happens when a pencil is left at the hinge of a door.
liotibial Band Syndrome

The iliotibial band is a tough band of tissue that extends from the outer side of the hip to the outside of the knees. Iliotibial band syndrome takes place when this band becomes so tight that it actually starts rubbing against the outside of the femur bone. Since the knee structures are involved, this causes excessive pain in the knee. Distance runners are actually quite prone to this syndrome.
Dislocated Kneecap

The triangular bone of the patella, which covers the front part of the knee may due to some mechanical hassle, slip out of its place. They usually slip out to the outside of the knees. It is in fact, sometimes visible to see the dislocation if the patella remains dislocated. Since the patella is dislocated, it makes it impossible for the person to work or function properly. The patella, being a very important part of the knee this hence causes severe pain in the knee area.
Hip or Foot Pain

When there is a pain in the hip or foot region, we alter the way we walk in order to avoid painful circumstances. But what we do not understand is that, while we spare ourselves from a painful joint pain, we invoke another one. This change in your gait has adverse effect on your knees as it gets very little time to adjust to the sudden change. This leads to knee pain. Pain in the hip or foot can cause severe future pain in the knees.
Osteoarthritis ³

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and in today’s day and age, it has affected all aged people. This arthritis is of the degenerative form and causes wear and tear in the cartilage. As this cartilage deteriorates, it causes immense pain in the knee. As there remains no protective covering that might help in the smooth movement of the knees, there begins a cruciating pain in the knees, which is called osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis has affected almost all aged people. Very few people have been spared from its evil hands. Although treatment are available, they can only manage or lessen the pain, very few of such arthritis can be absolutely cured.
Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an aggressive condition that only makes functioning harder and harder. This is an autoimmune disorder that can affect all the joints of the body, including the knee joint. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disorder, but it is variable when it comes to its severity and may even come and go from time to time. Rheumatoid arthritis is a deadly disease that may potentially lead to death but it is varies in its fluctuations. Although they are very deadly, treatment have been made available against this disorder.
Gout or Pseudogout

This is a form of arthritis that occurs when crystals of uric acids accumulate in the joints. Gout is most prevalent in the big toe but it may also take place in the knee joint. Pseudogout, on the other hand is often considered to be gout, but they are not. Pseudo gout is a condition that occurs when crystals of calcium gets accumulated in the joint fluid which is also known as cerebrospinal fluid. The basic difference between gout and pseudogout is hence that in gout, the crystals are of uric acid, whereas in pseudogout, these crystals are made up of calcium. Knees are the most common joints that are affected by pseudogout, whereas, gout rarely occurs in the knee joint.
Septic Arthritis

The knee joint, at times gets infected, at this point, the knee joint appears to be red, swollen and there is intense pain. Before the onset of the pain, people hardly feel any trauma. Once the pain begins, the feeling is almost cruciating. The most common time, when septic arthritis occurs is during fever.
Patellofemoral Pain

This is the scientific term associated with the pain that takes place between the patella of the knees and the underlying thigh bone called the femur. This is exceedingly common among athletes. Besides athletes, this pain may also arouse in young adults who have a slight or mild maltracking in their patella. This may also take place in adult, who develop this pain usually due to arthritis in the kneecap.
Being Overweight

Being overweight or obese poses immense pressure on the knee joint even while performing simple, day to day activities like walking and running. Climbing the stairs or going down the stairs also becomes troublesome. When you are obese or overweight, you are also at a higher risk of developing osteoarthritis which will lead to the degeneration of the kneecap and later, cause immense pain and pressure in the kneecaps.

Besides the above listed reasons, the lack of muscle strength or muscle flexibility can also be associated with an increased pain in the knee joint. If the muscles are too tight or too loose they do not exert ample support to the knee, for them to support everyday activities. This is also another leading problem that leads to pain on the knee or knee injuries. If you play sports when you are not in shape to play the sports it also poses immense stress on the knee.

Some sports activities are especially demanding, and if your body is not trained to move that way, knee pain may occur. Also, if you have had any injury in the knee during the past, this may also lead to further injuries and subsequent pain in the future. But, fret not, due to the advances in the medical field; there are many medicines and non-invasive techniques that will help you to rid the pain. Even if the pain is not completely gone, you will be able to function normally and lead your life happily.

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15 Authentic Reasons for Your Knee Pain