Knee Pain

Knee Pain, also known as Chondromalacia Patella can be caused by an unexpected injury, overweight, or by an underlying condition, like Arthritis.

The knee joint primary function is to flex, straighten, and support the weight of the body, along with the ankles and hips. The Knee also twists and rotates. The Knee has many structures, including bones, ligaments, tendons, and cartilage.

Common causes of Knee Pain

Some of the most common problems are:

• Sprained ligaments

• Meniscus tears

• Tendinitis

• Runner's Knee

• Old knee injury

• Bursitis

• IT (iliotibial) band syndrome

• Meniscal tear

• Osgood-Schlatter disease

• Osteoarthritis

• Patellar tendinitis

• Patellofemoral pain syndrome

Symptoms of Knee Injury

Of course, it hurts! But the type of pain and the place that you feel it can vary. You may have:

• Pain, when you bend the Knee

• Swelling

• Problems moving your Knee

• A weird sound when you bend the Knee

• Inflammation even when you rest

If you have some of these symptoms, you need to see your Orthopedist. You may also need MRI, X-rays, or a CT Scan to see more detail of the Knee.

Risk Factors

There are several factors that can increase the risk of having knee problems, such as:

• Being overweight 

• Low muscle flexibility or strength

• Practicing some sports or occupations

• Previous injuries 

Diagnosis

During the physical exam, the doctor will do the following: 

• It will look for if the knee suffers from swelling, pain, sensitivity, heating, or visible bruising.

• It will check how much mobility the knee has in various directions

• Pulling or pushing the joint will assess the integrity of the knee structure.

Treatment for Knee Pain

If you have Knee Pain, you need to break the inflammatory cycle. If the inflammation is simple, you can do the PRICE therapy:

• Protection

• Rest

• Ice

• Compression

• Elevation

Do I need Surgery?

Osteoarthritis is the most common reason why people need Knee Replacement Surgery. But also Rheumatoid Arthritis, Deformities and some Knee injuries could guide you to a surgery.

Types of Surgery

There are five principal types of Knee Replacement Surgery:

• Total knee replacement

• Partial knee replacement

• Patellofemoral replacement

• Complex (or revision) knee replacement

• Cartilage restoration

• Knee Arthroscopy

Osteosynthesis is a different alternative the doctor may suggest. It is defined as fixation of a bone. It is a surgical procedure to treat bone fractures in which bone fragments are joined with screws, plates, nails or wires. The fractured bone is fixed with the aforementioned and can knit stably in the correct position

Living with Knee Pain

You can prevent Knee Pain, follow these tips:

• Rest if you feel pain in your Knee

• If you want to make your exercise more intense, find a Fitness Special Program.

• Stretch before and after a workout

• Use knee pads to avoid bursitis

• Wear shoes that offer support to your knees

• Lose weight

When should I visit the Doctor?

If any of the symptoms mentioned above occur, reach out the Orthopedist. He or she will help alleviate the symptoms and to diagnose Chondromalacia Patella properly and its treatment.