The knee joint is one of the most utilized joints in our bodies, making it one of the most common joints to experience pain. Knee pain can have numerous causes but it is most often due to prolonged wear and tear from everyday activities. Understanding these causes can help you to practice prevention methods and seek treatment so you can relieve your pain.
Let’s discuss some of the top causes of knee pain:
- Arthritis: Arthritis is extremely common in the knee joint, especially as we age. Osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, is a condition characterized by the degradation of the joint tissue due to everyday wear and tear. Because our knee is regularly used to move us from place to place, the knee joint undergoes excessive wear and tear. This degradation of the knee joint contributes to inflammation and pain. Rheumatoid arthritis is another type of arthritis that can affect the knee joint, resulting in autoimmune destruction of the knee joint, inflammation, and pain.
- Tendonitis: Tendonitis is easily defined as inflammation of the tendons in your joints, causing pain and tenderness. Tendonitis of the knee often occurs due to acute overuse or strain in physical activities such as running, jumping, or cycling.
- Injury: Knee injuries are very prevalent among athletes and individuals who regularly engage in physical activities. Some of the most common injuries of the knee are meniscus tears, ligament tears, and dislocations. The meniscus is the cartilage that cushions the knee and can be torn due to sudden twists or blunt force, causing extreme discomfort. Of the ligaments in the knee, the ACL is most commonly torn causing a popping sound, rapid swelling, immobility, and immense pain. Finally, dislocations occur often due to blunt force causing the knee joint to move out of its normal position.
- Bursitis: Bursitis of the knee occurs when the knee is injured or if excessive pressure is placed on the knee. Bursae are small fluid-filled sacs surrounding the knee joint that aid in cushioning the knee. Bursitis is the inflammation of these bursae, causing warmth, swelling, and pain when moving.
Of all these causes of knee pain, arthritis remains the top contributor. To combat arthritic knee pain, knee replacement is an excellent option for patients who are suffering from intense pain, immobility, and loss of function in their knee. If you are struggling with knee pain, don’t wait! Dr. Buchalter is an expert orthopedic surgeon specializing in knee replacement surgery so that you can relieve your pain and regain function in your knee as soon as possible.
David N. Buchalter, MD is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in minimally invasive hip and knee replacement surgery at South Palm Orthopedics. Dr. Buchalter uses the latest cutting-edge surgical and nonsurgical techniques for orthopedic patients across South Florida.
