Knee pain is a medical condition that can make walking, bending, or climbing stairs difficult. Numerous conditions can cause knee pain, but arthritis, overuse, and accidents are the most common. Although it can happen at any age, osteoarthritis, a condition caused by joint degeneration, is most prevalent in older people. However, there are methods for treating and managing pain that can eliminate these issues. Here are the causes, symptoms, and treatments for knee pain.

Causes of knee pain
A variety of illnesses and accidents can cause knee pain. Typical problems include:

Knee overuse/wear and tear
Some repetitive motions, such as running, can cause pain, causing soreness beneath or around the kneecap. Overuse can also cause swelling in the shinbone below the kneecap in children. Playing basketball or other repetitive jumping activities can lead to knee pain later in life.

Injury
A knee joint can sustain damage from sudden stress. Typical knee injuries include:

Medial collateral ligament (MCL)
This injury damages the knee’s primary stabilizing ligaments.

Bursitis
This is the swelling and inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs that protect the knee joint.

Kneecap dislocation
Movement of the kneecap out of position (the bone that covers the knee).

Meniscus tear
This refers to cartilage damage in the knee (slippery tissue that helps bones move together smoothly).

Arthritis
Arthritis is a disorder that affects many different joints in the body. It causes knee swelling, which can be excruciatingly painful. The two most common types of this condition, which frequently worsens with age, are:

• Knee degeneration and inflammation are both symptoms of the inflammatory disease rheumatoid arthritis.
• Osteoarthritis is identified by the gradual disintegration of cartilage in the joint. Body weight can have a significant impact on joint health. Therefore, maintaining healthy body weight through regular exercise and a nutritious diet can reduce the likelihood of joint pain.

Diagnosis of knee problems
In addition to a thorough medical history and physical examination, further tests for knee problems may include:

X-ray
This test creates images of inside organs, bones, and tissues on film using invisible electromagnetic energy beams.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
This test can typically identify an injury or condition in an adjacent ligament or muscle by creating comprehensive images of the organs and structures inside the body with huge magnets, radiofrequency technology, and a computer.

CT scan (computed tomography)
In this procedure, X-rays and computer technology produce horizontal or axial images of the body (commonly referred to as “slices”). A CT scan generates high-resolution images of the entire body, including the bones, muscles, fat, and organs. CT scans provide more information than standard X-rays.

Arthroscopy
This procedure involves inserting an arthroscope—a tube with illumination—into the joint through a tiny incision. Images of the joint’s interior are projected onto a screen and used to assess degenerative or arthritic changes, detect bone illnesses and tumors, and pinpoint the source of bone pain and inflammation.

Bone radionuclide scan
This is a nuclear imaging procedure in which a minimal amount of radioactive material is injected into the patient’s circulation and detected by a scanner. This test assesses both blood flow and cell activity within the bone.

Treatment options
Depending on the type of damage and discomfort, different knee conditions require different treatments. Several of the treatments include:

RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation)
This approach treats acute pain and is distinct from chronic pain care. It mainly involves resting, applying ice for compression, and elevating the legs to prevent sore joints. In addition, resting could weaken muscles that need to be strengthened to reduce or eliminate chronic pain.

Physical activity and therapy
While easing discomfort, some forms of exercise can both stretch and strengthen muscles. Unfortunately, few exercises can worsen knee damage, so it is best to discuss these workouts with medical professionals first.

Lifestyle modifications
Pain can be significantly reduced by making small lifestyle changes, like maintaining a healthy weight to prevent knee stress. Avoiding uncomfortable activities like jogging and jumping also helps reduce pain.

Genicular nerve blocks
This treatment stops the genicular nerves from sending pain signals to the brain from the knee joint. The first step is an anesthetic injection, which offers immediate comfort. A non-surgical procedure known as radiofrequency ablation can provide the patient with long-term relief. In this technique, the nerve’s proteins are heated to cause coagulation, which stops the pain signals.

Complementary therapies
Some people find comfort in massage, biofeedback, rest, meditation, acupuncture, yoga, or visualization.

Surgery
This is mainly used to repair structural damage. Surgery is not always the best option, but it is sometimes the only option.

Regeneration techniques
Many studies are being conducted to investigate potential solutions, such as plasma injections and stem cell therapies. However, even though the research on pain signals is still in its early stages and not yet conclusive, it can be very beneficial.

Natural remedies for knee pain

Body mass management
Maintaining weight can aid in feeling lighter, reducing knee strain, and alleviating pain symptoms. A lower body mass can also result in more activity, which is good for knee joints.

Stretching
Stretching can make tight joints more flexible and increase blood flow there. Increasing blood flow helps flush the joint and surrounding tissues by delivering oxygen and nutrients and removing breakdown products. Furthermore, gentle motion through a range of motion may help to alleviate the pain associated with knee osteoarthritis.

Nutritious meals
Choose fruits and vegetables high in phytonutrients, such as the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant selenium, and vitamins C, D, and E. They are also low in calories, which benefits one’s health. Include cold-water fatty fish like salmon, tuna, mackerel, and herring on the menu. They are high in omega-3 fatty acids and are known to have anti-inflammatory properties.

Hot or cold compress
Ice has natural anti-inflammatory properties. Pain can be significantly reduced by applying a cold compress to the knee. Wrap the ice in a cloth and place it on the knee instead of directly on the skin. Before beginning any activity, apply a hot compress to reduce potential pain.