Understanding knee pain
Knee pain is a common complaint that affects people of all ages. Knee pain may be the result of an injury, such as a ruptured ligament or torn cartilage. Medical conditions — including arthritis, gout and infections — also can cause knee pain.
Many types of minor knee pain respond well to self-care measures. Physical therapy and knee braces also can help relieve pain. In some cases, however, your knee may require surgical repair.
Symptoms
The location and severity of knee pain may vary, depending on the cause of the problem. Signs and symptoms that sometimes accompany knee pain include:
- Swelling and stiffness
- Redness and warmth to the touch
- Weakness or instability
- Popping or crunching noises
- Inability to fully straighten the knee
When to see a doctor
Call your doctor if you:
- Can’t bear weight on your knee or feel as if your knee is unstable or gives out
- Have marked knee swelling
- Are unable to fully extend or flex your knee
- See an obvious deformity in your leg or knee
- Have a fever, in addition to redness, pain and swelling in your knee
- Have severe knee pain that is associated with an injury
Causes
Knee pain can be caused by injuries, mechanical problems, types of arthritis and other problems.
1. Injuries
A knee injury can affect any of the ligaments, tendons or fluid-filled sacs (bursae) that surround your knee joint as well as the bones, cartilage and ligaments that form the joint itself. Some of the more common knee injuries include:
- ACL injury. An ACL injury is a tear of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) — one of four ligaments that connect your shinbone to your thighbone. An ACL injury is particularly common in people who play basketball, soccer or other sports that require sudden changes in direction.
- Fractures. The bones of the knee, including the kneecap (patella), can be broken during falls or auto accidents. Also, people whose bones have been weakened by osteoporosis can sometimes sustain a knee fracture simply by stepping wrong.
- Torn meniscus. The meniscus is the tough, rubbery cartilage that acts as a shock absorber between your shinbone and thighbone. It can be torn if you suddenly twist your knee while bearing weight on it.
- Knee bursitis. Some knee injuries cause inflammation in the bursae, the small sacs of fluid that cushion the outside of your knee joint so that tendons and ligaments glide smoothly over the joint.
- Patellar tendinitis. Tendinitis causes irritation and inflammation of one or more tendons — the thick, fibrous tissues that attach muscles to bones. This inflammation can happen when there’s an injury to the patellar tendon, which runs from the kneecap (patella) to the shinbone and allows you to kick, run and jump. Runners, skiers, cyclists, and those involved in jumping sports and activities may develop patellar tendinitis.
2. Mechanical problems
Some examples of mechanical problems that can cause knee pain include:
- Loose body. Sometimes injury or degeneration of bone or cartilage can cause a piece of bone or cartilage to break off and float in the joint space. This may not create any problems unless the loose body interferes with knee joint movement, in which case the effect is something like a pencil caught in a door hinge.
- Iliotibial band syndrome. This occurs when the tough band of tissue that extends from the outside of your hip to the outside of your knee (iliotibial band) becomes so tight that it rubs against the outer portion of your thighbone. Distance runners and cyclists are especially susceptible to iliotibial band syndrome.
- Dislocated kneecap. This occurs when the triangular bone that covers the front of your knee (patella) slips out of place, usually to the outside of your knee. In some cases, the kneecap may stay displaced and you’ll be able to see the dislocation.
- Hip or foot pain. If you have hip or foot pain, you may change the way you walk to spare your painful joint. But this altered gait can place more stress on your knee joint and cause knee pain.
3. Types of arthritis
More than 100 different types of arthritis exist. The varieties most likely to affect the knee include:
- Osteoarthritis. Sometimes called degenerative arthritis, osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. It’s a wear-and-tear condition that occurs when the cartilage in your knee deteriorates with use and age.
- Rheumatoid arthritis. The most debilitating form of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition that can affect almost any joint in your body, including your knees. Although rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease, it tends to vary in severity and may even come and go.
- Gout. This type of arthritis occurs when uric acid crystals build up in the joint. While gout most commonly affects the big toe, it can also occur in the knee.
- Pseudogout. Often mistaken for gout, pseudogout is caused by calcium-containing crystals that develop in the joint fluid. Knees are the most common joint affected by pseudogout.
- Septic arthritis. Sometimes your knee joint can become infected, leading to swelling, pain and redness. Septic arthritis often occurs with a fever, and there’s usually no trauma before the onset of pain. Septic arthritis can quickly cause extensive damage to the knee cartilage. If you have knee pain with any of the symptoms of septic arthritis, see your doctor right away.
4. Other problems
Patellofemoral pain syndrome is a general term that refers to pain arising between the kneecap and the underlying thighbone. It’s common in athletes; in young adults, especially those whose kneecap doesn’t track properly in its groove; and in older adults, who usually develop the condition as a result of arthritis of the kneecap.
Risk factors
A number of factors can increase your risk of having knee problems, including:
- Excess weight. Being overweight or obese increases stress on your knee joints, even during ordinary activities such as walking or going up and down stairs. It also puts you at increased risk of osteoarthritis by accelerating the breakdown of joint cartilage.
- Lack of muscle flexibility or strength. A lack of strength and flexibility can increase the risk of knee injuries. Strong muscles help stabilize and protect your joints, and muscle flexibility can help you achieve full range of motion.
- Certain sports or occupations. Some sports put greater stress on your knees than do others. Alpine skiing with its rigid ski boots and potential for falls, basketball’s jumps and pivots, and the repeated pounding your knees take when you run or jog all increase your risk of knee injury. Jobs that require repetitive stress on the knees such as construction or farming also can increase your risk.
- Previous injury. Having a previous knee injury makes it more likely that you’ll injure your knee again.
Not all knee pain is serious. But some knee injuries and medical conditions, such as osteoarthritis, can lead to increasing pain, joint damage and disability if left untreated. And having a knee injury — even a minor one — makes it more likely that you’ll have similar injuries in the future.
Prevention
Although it’s not always possible to prevent knee pain, the following suggestions may help ward off injuries and joint deterioration:
- Keep extra pounds off. Maintain a healthy weight; it’s one of the best things you can do for your knees. Every extra pound puts additional strain on your joints, increasing the risk of injuries and osteoarthritis.
- Be in shape to play your sport. To prepare your muscles for the demands of sports participation, take time for conditioning.
- Practice perfectly. Make sure the technique and movement patterns you use in your sports or activity are the best they can be. Lessons from a professional can be very helpful.
- Get strong, stay flexible. Weak muscles are a leading cause of knee injuries. You’ll benefit from building up your quadriceps and hamstrings, the muscles on the front and back of your thighs that help support your knees. Balance and stability training helps the muscles around your knees work together more effectively.
And because tight muscles also can contribute to injury, stretching is important. Try to include flexibility exercises in your workouts.
- Be smart about exercise. If you have osteoarthritis, chronic knee pain or recurring injuries, you may need to change the way you exercise. Consider switching to swimming, water aerobics or other low-impact activities — at least for a few days a week. Sometimes simply limiting high-impact activities will provide relief.
How to get rid of knee pain fast
A common treatment for knee pain is acupuncture, a form of traditional oriental medicine that involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body. Acupuncture has gained popularity in Western medicine due to its effectiveness in treating various conditions and its minimal side effects.
In physiological terms, acupuncture stimulates the nervous system, triggering the release of various biochemicals, including endorphins and other neurotransmitters. The release of these chemicals helps to reduce inflammation, decrease pain perception, and improve overall blood circulation.
Dry needling is a specific technique that involves inserting acupuncture needles into trigger points in muscles to relieve pain and improve muscle function.
Studies have shown that acupuncture and dry needling can be effective in treating knee pain caused by a variety of conditions, including osteoarthritis and injuries related to physical activity, like running. These techniques can help reduce inflammation, improve muscle function, and decrease pain perception, making acupuncture a valuable stand alone treatment or as an addition to traditional treatment methods.
Knee pain acupuncture and dry needling can address the root cause of the issue which can help get rid of knee pain in certain cases in as little as 1-5 visits. If there are no structural issues and the cause of pain is a myofascial trigger point, then there is a higher likelihood that the treatment will work more quickly.
Can acupuncture help knee pain?
Acupuncture and dry needling can help relieve knee pain by targeting the muscles and trigger points that are causing the pain. By inserting fine needles into specific points in the affected muscles and tissues, acupuncture and dry needling can stimulate the body’s natural healing response, reduce inflammation, improve blood flow, and promote muscle relaxation.
Moreover, studies have shown that acupuncture and dry needling can effectively reduce knee pain and improve physical function in individuals with knee osteoarthritis and running injuries. The treatment is safe, minimally invasive, and can be used as a complementary therapy alongside conventional medical treatments.
Several randomized controlled trials have been conducted to investigate the effectiveness of acupuncture and dry needling for knee pain. One review of 10 such trials found that acupuncture can help reduce knee pain and improve physical function in patients with knee osteoarthritis. The review also noted that in some cases, acupuncture was found to be more effective than prescribed pain medication.
Another study compared the effectiveness of acupuncture and dry needling for patellofemoral pain syndrome, which is a common knee problem among runners. The study found that both acupuncture and dry needling were effective in reducing pain and improving knee function.
Acupuncture and dry needling work by stimulating specific points on the body, which can help to reduce inflammation and promote healing. When needles are inserted into these points, it can cause a release of endorphins, which are natural painkillers. Acupuncture and dry needling can also help to increase blood flow and loosen tight muscles, which can reduce pain and improve mobility.
Benefits of acupuncture for knee pain
- Reduction of Inflammation: Acupuncture and dry needling can help to reduce inflammation in the knee joint, which can help to reduce pain and improve mobility.
- Release of Pain-Relieving Endorphins: The release of endorphins can help to reduce pain and promote a sense of well-being.
- Promotion of Blood Circulation: Acupuncture and dry needling can help to improve blood flow to the knee joint, which can aid in the healing process.
- Loosening of Tight Muscles: Tight muscles around the knee joint can cause pain and limit mobility. Acupuncture and dry needling can help to loosen these muscles and release trigger points, which can reduce pain and improve mobility.
Knee pain trigger points
Trigger points are areas of hyperirritability in muscles that can cause pain and other symptoms in different areas of the body. Trigger points can develop due to a variety of factors, including muscle overuse, injury, or stress.
Knee pain location chart
This knee pain location chart summarizes common causes of knee pain from trigger points and their referral patterns.
- Anterior Knee Pain: Trigger points in the rectus femoris, vastus medialis, adductor brevis & longus muscles can cause pain in the front of the knee.
- Lateral Knee Pain: Trigger points in the vastus lateralis and tensor fasciae latae muscles can cause pain on the outside of the knee.
- Medial Knee Pain: Trigger points in the vastus medialis, graclilis, rectus femoris, sartorius, adductor brevis & longus muscles can cause pain on the inside of the knee.
- Posterior Knee Pain: Trigger points in the gastrocnemius, biceps femoris, popliteus, semitendinosus & semimembranosus, soleus muscles can cause pain in the back of the knee.
- Buckling Knee: A trigger point in the vastus medialis muscle can cause the knee to buckle or give out.
Acupuncture and dry needling can be used to release trigger points and alleviate pain. By inserting needles into the affected muscles, acupuncture and dry needling can help to reduce tension and promote relaxation in the muscles. This can help to release trigger points and reduce pain.
When it comes to knee pain, both traditional acupuncture and dry needling can be effective treatments. Traditional acupuncture targets specific acupuncture points that correspond to the knee joint, which can help to reduce inflammation, release pain-relieving endorphins, promote blood circulation, and loosen tight muscles. Dry needling directly targets trigger points in the muscles surrounding the knee joint, which can help to alleviate pain and improve joint function.
In conclusion, acupuncture and dry needling are effective treatments for knee pain. It is important to seek out a qualified practitioner who can provide a proper diagnosis and treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. If you are experiencing knee pain, consider scheduling an appointment for acupuncture or dry needling treatment to help alleviate your symptoms and improve your quality of life.
At Fuji Wellness, we specialize in combining traditional acupuncture with dry needling, so you get a more holistic and effective treatment for your knee pain.
Contact Us:
- Address: 132-0031 Matsushima 1-chome, 21-14, Tokyo, Japan
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- Email: sunnyphamsensei@gmail.com
