Overview
Knee pain is a common health problem that can be seen in people of all ages. 25% of adults experience knee pain. It has many causes, ranging from sports injuries to arthritis, from mechanical problems to inflammatory diseases.
The knee is a complex joint consisting of bones, cartilage, ligaments, menisci, and muscles. It is one of the most loaded joints in the body.
Symptoms
Vary by cause:
- Constant or movement-related pain
- Knee swelling, stiffness
- Redness, warmth
- Limited mobility
- Difficulty bending or straightening
- Inability to walk
- Locking sensation
- Cracking, grinding sound
- Knee giving way ("giving way")
- Fluid accumulation in the joint
- Limping
Common Causes
Mechanical / Injuries:
- Ligament injuries (ACL, MCL, PCL)
- Meniscus tear
- Patella (kneecap) fracture / dislocation
- Tendinitis (patellar - jumper's knee)
- Bursitis (joint inflammation)
- Iliotibial band syndrome
- Plica syndrome
- Overuse
Arthritis:
- Osteoarthritis - most common
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Gout
- Septic arthritis (infection)
Other:
- Baker's cyst (popliteal cyst)
- Patellofemoral pain syndrome
- Osgood-Schlatter (child-adolescent)
- Osteochondritis dissecans
- Bone tumors (rare)
Risk Factors
- Age (over 65 - for osteoarthritis)
- Excess weight
- Sports (especially running, football, basketball)
- Previous knee injury
- Genetic predisposition
- Inadequate muscle strength/flexibility
- Structural abnormalities (knock-knees, bow legs)
- Occupational risk (squatting, heavy lifting)
When to See a Doctor
Emergency:
- If you cannot bear weight
- Significant deformity in the knee
- Severe swelling
- Severe pain
- Fever + knee swelling (infection)
Scheduled:
- Pain lasting more than 2 weeks
- Pain that does not improve with rest
- Limited mobility
- Frequently recurring swelling
- Limping
Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis:
- Physical examination
- X-ray
- MRI (for soft tissue)
- Ultrasound
- CT
- Joint fluid analysis
- Blood tests (in case of inflammatory disease)
Treatment:
Conservative (in most cases):
- RICE protocol: Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation
- Pain relievers (paracetamol, NSAIDs)
- Cortisone injection (intra-articular)
- Hyaluronic acid injection
- PRP
- Physical therapy and exercise
- Knee brace, cane use
- Weight loss
- Activity modification
Surgery:
- Arthroscopy (meniscus, ligament repair)
- Ligament reconstruction (ACL repair)
- Knee replacement (in advanced osteoarthritis)
- Osteotomy (in young patients)
Prevention
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Regular exercise (especially thigh muscle strengthening)
- Proper sports technique
- Appropriate footwear
- Warm-up, stretch before sports
- Avoid excessive squatting, bending
- Knee-friendly exercises (swimming, cycling)
- Take injuries seriously
- Follow up on structural problems