Knee pain is a common problem among people of all ages, and can be incredibly debilitating. Although most people put it down to general wear and tear from everyday activities and don’t take it too seriously, knee pain can be a real nuisance to live with. Here are a few common causes of knee pain and how to treat it.
1. Change of Routine
Sometimes a change of routine can have a surprising effect on the body. For example, doing the odd home repair job at the weekend might involve a lot of time on your knees, which can cause your joints to stiffen up and ache. As a result, you could develop a condition called bursitis. There is a protective sac near the knee that helps cushion pressure points and reduces friction. When this sac swells up and becomes irritated it can reduce mobility and cause knee pain. Among other reasons, bursitis can be caused by kneeling, strenuous activity and trauma to the knee. You can avoid it by donning knee pads while you kneel, taking regular breaks, squatting less, and also by maintaining a healthy body weight.
2. Sports Injury
Sports injuries often go hand-in-hand with knee pain, and they can result in swollen, painful knees. From meniscus tears and sprains to fractures and broken bones, many injuries sustained from playing sports can lead to bad knee pain. Tendonitis is when a tendon becomes inflamed after it is overused or is injured. Inflammation can occur due to high intensity exercise and repetitive exercise. You can treat tendonitis by applying an ice pack on the knee every couple of hours for up to 20 minutes or by using a knee support. Novamed Knee Supports are great for reducing pain and helping it heal as they prevent the knee from making harmful movements. In addition, you should avoid placing pressure on the knee until it has fully recovered.
3. Old Age
The natural aging process is a common reason for knee pain, with the main cause being osteoarthritis. This is a type of arthritis that specifically affects the knee, and it is a degenerative condition whereby the cartilage in the knee joint wears away over time. It usually appears in people who are middle-aged and older, and people who are overweight, have existing knee injuries or have a family history of osteoarthritis are more prone to this condition.
4. Gout
Gout is another type of arthritis. However, gout occurs when there is a buildup of uric acid in the body. The buildup in the fluids, tissues and joints in the body can cause severe pain. Gout is more common among men, in those who are obese and also in those who have certain health conditions, such as diabetes, congestive heart failure and poor kidney function. This type of inflammatory arthritis usually affects the big toe, but it also affects the knee joint too. Unfortunately, there is no cure for gout. However, you can treat the condition with medication, and manage the symptoms with a medical treatment plan devised by a healthcare professional.
