What Helps Knee Pain? How to Relieve Knee Pain?

Knee pain is a problem that can occur in individuals of all ages, but in some cases, it can significantly hinder daily life. Initially, there are methods that can be applied at home for knee pain. If knee pain persists for a long time, it is recommended to consult a specialist doctor.

What Are the Symptoms of Knee Pain?

Although knee pain can be a symptom on its own, it may sometimes be accompanied by other symptoms:

• Swelling and stiffness
• Pain, warmth, and redness upon touch
• Inability to fully straighten the knee
• Clicking sounds from the knee
• Weakness in the knees

What Are the Causes of Knee Pain?

There are many causes of knee pain. These can include mechanical problems, types of arthritis, injuries, or other issues. Knee injuries include:

• ACL Injury: This type of injury refers to the tearing of the anterior cruciate ligament, one of four ligaments that connect the shinbone to the thighbone. It usually occurs during sports like basketball or football, or when making sudden changes in direction.
• Fracture: The kneecap can break from a fall onto it. In individuals with osteoporosis, simply taking a wrong step can lead to knee fractures.
• Meniscus Tear: The meniscus is a tough cartilage located between the shinbone and thighbone. If the knee suddenly bends while bearing weight, the meniscus can tear.
• Bursitis: As a result of a knee injury, small fluid-filled sacs called bursae can become inflamed over tendons and ligaments. Inflammation of these sacs is referred to as bursitis.
• Tendinitis: This refers to the inflammation of one or more tendons. The inflammation can extend from the kneecap to the shinbone and can occur during activities such as running, jumping, or kicking.

There are also various mechanical problems in the knee that can be explained as follows:

• Loose Body: Sometimes, as a result of a bone or cartilage injury, a piece may break off and float in the joint space. This is called a loose body and may go unnoticed unless it obstructs movement.
• Iliotibial Band Syndrome: This occurs when the iliotibial band, which runs from the outside of the hip to the outside of the knee, rubs against the outer part of the thigh bone. It can often happen to long-distance runners and cyclists.
• Patellar Dislocation: This refers to the displacement of the patella, the bone that covers the front of the knee, from its position to one side.
• Hip and Foot Pain: If there is pain in the hips and feet, a person may change their walking style to feel more comfortable. This alteration in walking can put pressure on the knee and cause pain.

There are over 100 different types of arthritis that can cause knee pain. The most common types of arthritis that lead to knee pain include:

• Osteoarthritis: This is one of the most common types of arthritis. The cartilage in the knee deteriorates and wears down over time.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis: This can affect most joints in the body and cause pain.
• Gout: This can occur if uric acid crystals accumulate in the joint. Although it most commonly affects the big toe, it can also manifest in the knee.
• Pseudogout: This condition is often confused with gout. It is caused by calcium crystals present in joint fluid. The knees are most affected by pseudogout.
• Septic Arthritis: This is an infection of the knee joint. The infection causes pain, redness, and swelling.

What Helps Knee Pain and How to Prevent It?

Depending on the cause of knee pain, the methods that may help can vary. If it's a mild issue, it may heal on its own. There are methods to accelerate self-healing.

• Take a break from intense activities and rest your knee.
• Apply a cold compress to reduce pain and any swelling. This can be done for 15-20 minutes every 3-4 hours. Continue for 2-3 days until the pain subsides.
• Wrap your knee with a bandage or similar material. Wrapping reduces swelling and provides support to the knee.
• To reduce swelling while lying down or sitting, place a pillow under your heel to keep the knee elevated.
• You may take medications that help alleviate pain and swelling. Using these medications without consulting a doctor may be risky. Stretching exercises can also be performed with a doctor's advice.
• To prevent knee pain, you can warm up before starting exercise instead of jumping straight into activity. Avoiding downhill running is a good option. If going downhill is necessary, walk slowly and take careful steps. Individuals who run a lot may prefer cycling or swimming instead of running. If one does not want to give up running, they should ensure that their running shoes fit well and provide good support.

For overweight individuals, extra pressure is applied to the kneecap, which can increase pain severity over time. Those who complain about this can look for ways to lose weight healthily. Flat feet can also lead to knee pain, so specially designed shoes for flat feet can be chosen.

If knee pain persists for 2 weeks after trying these home methods, or if there is a feeling of warmth and swelling in the knee, it is recommended to see a specialist doctor. If there is a serious problem, it should be addressed with medical treatment methods.

How is Knee Pain Treated?

To treat knee pain, it is essential to first determine the cause of the pain. Different treatment methods are used for various reasons. Medications can be used to help alleviate pain. Medications to treat conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or gout can be prescribed by your doctor.

Another treatment method, physical therapy, may be preferred to strengthen the muscles around the knee. Depending on the condition, the exercises an individual can perform may vary. If the individual is physically active in daily life or regularly exercises, they should consider movements that could affect their knees and try to adjust their exercise accordingly.

In some cases, your doctor may recommend injections. This involves injecting medications or other substances into the joints. For example:

• Corticosteroids: Injecting a corticosteroid into the knee joint can help reduce symptoms by preventing arthritis flare-ups and providing several months of pain relief. These injections may not work for every situation.
• Hyaluronic acid: This acid lubricates the joints and helps improve mobility. It can also be injected to relieve pain. Relief in symptoms may be observed for up to six months.
• PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma): Used in various fields, PRP reduces inflammation and contains growth factors that speed up healing.

Some types of knee pain can also be treated with surgery. If surgery is necessary, it may not be urgent. You can first discuss with your doctor to learn the pros and cons of surgery. If the individual wishes to undergo surgery, various types of surgeries are available depending on the issue.

With arthroscopic surgery, joint damage can be examined and repaired with the help of a fiber optic camera. This method is typically used to treat loose bodies caused by bone or cartilage tears. It can reconstruct torn ligaments. In partial knee replacement surgery, the damaged part of the knee is replaced with metal and plastic parts. In partial surgeries, small incisions are usually made. There is a higher likelihood of recovery in this type of surgery.

In total knee replacement surgery, metal alloys and high-quality polymer artificial joints are placed to replace the damaged bone and cartilage from the thigh bone to the shin bone and kneecap.

Osteotomy is a surgery performed to better align the knee and prevent curvature of the leg bones. This surgery can help delay total knee replacement surgery or allow the individual to avoid it altogether.

Individuals with long-lasting knee pain can consult a specialist doctor to intervene in the underlying cause before it’s too late and continue their lives in a better way.