About Knee Pain
Knee joint or knee pain is a very common cause of debility in patients over 60 years of age as well as patients who are involved in trauma or sports.
Injury to ligaments, tendons, muscles, and cartilage can all cause knee joint pain. Tearing of the stabilizing cruciate ligaments from sports can cause pain and instability,
The most common cause of knee joint pain in the elderly is osteoarthritis. Just as any other true synovial joint can become arthritic due to degeneration of the cartilage and excess bony growth either due to age or degeneration, and can become inflamed causing pain. The pain from inflamed affected facet joints can cause radiation of symptoms and pain to an area distant from the actual pathology.
This is called referred pain as opposed to radicular pain which is caused by the irritation of a large spinal nerve.
Injury to ligaments, tendons, muscles, and cartilage can all cause knee joint pain. Tearing of the stabilizing cruciate ligaments from sports can cause pain and instability,
Conditions affecting the joint itself are often referred into the front or back of the knee area. Meniscal injuries are often noted along the sides.
The pain is usually worsened with extension and lateral motion of the joint, sitting cross-legged, descending or ascending stairs, and during cold weather.
Pain that is often described on the outside of the knee above or below the joint is usually due to the soft tissues including muscles ligaments tendons and connective tissues.
Certain medical conditions can present as knee pain though they are unrelated to that joint. This is what we call referred pain.
Diagnoses involve a thorough history and physical as well as proper imaging including CAT scans, x-rays, MRI, and bloodwork in certain cases.
Treatment options include analgesics for temporary pain relief, low-dose antidepressants which are helpful in both sleep and chronic pain, as well as opioid use for worsening chronic pain.
Physical therapy includes home exercises to help strengthen and improve the flexibility and range of motion of the joint and associated muscles.
Diagnostic / Therapeutic joint injections with or without supplemental steroids may also be effective and augment the effects of oral medication and physical therapy.
Regenerative treatments including PRP and Amniotic Fluid have also been successful.
If these fail one can be evaluated for their candidacy for reconstructive or joint replacement surgery.
