Struggling with Knee Pain? Know its Causes and Possible Treatment

Having stiff knees has now become an issue synonymous with people of all ages. While, at times, the pain may not seem as serious as it can be, it does impact your life. Not only does a stiff knee restrict our knee movement, but it also affects our daily activities.

But have you ever wondered what can be the reason behind knee stiffness and how it can be treated? If yes, then you have landed at the right place. The stiffness can formulate for a number of reasons. You may have an issue in the joint, restricting movement, swelling, weakness or tightness in the surrounding muscles.

In this blog, we will look at the most common causes of stiffness in knees and how you can treat them. Read below to find out.

Common Causes of a Stiff Knee:

1. Meniscus Injuries: One of the most common causes of a stiff knee, a meniscus injury takes place when the special cartilage which lines your knee joint is damaged. This can lead to knee stiffness through the prevention of the smooth motion of the joint.
2. Knee Ligament Injuries: Knee sprain, aka Knee ligament injury, is another reason for a stiff knee. Ligaments are tough and fibrous bands that extend stability to the knee. In case one or more of the ligaments get overstretched, then some (or all) of the fibres can tear, leading to swelling and bleeding in the knee joint. If the ligament does not get the right treatment, it may not heal properly, which will result in the persistence of knee stiffness even when swelling settles down.
3. Bone fractures: A fracture or a break in a knee bone is also a cause associated with knee stiffness due to instability, pain and misalignment. A knee or patella fracture limits your knee movement immediately. Furthermore, stiffness in the knee also persists even after the fracture has healed or is surgically fixed. This makes it really important for you to work hard at your rehab program to reduce the risk of being required to live with a stiff knee for the long term.
4. Knee Tendonitis: Knee tendonitis, which includes inflammation or degeneration of knee tendons, is also a cause of knee stiffness. Tendon damage, due to weakness and inefficiency, affects the ability of our knee joint to move normally. The tendon may swell or tighten, limiting the range of motion and resulting in a stiff knee.

 

Treatment for Stiff Knee Pain

Treatment for stiff knee pain focuses on the reduction of pain and inflammation and bringing back knee flexibility and mobility. Following PRICE principles can assist in the early stages of stiffness in the knee, particularly after a knee injury:

Protection of joints from further damage.
Rest from activities that are painful but keep the leg gently moving to prevent cramping.
Ice treatment on a regular basis to reduce swelling and, therefore, knee stiffness.
Compression via specially designed bandages to support the knee and reduce swelling.
Elevation of the leg to drain the excess fluid in the joint.

Further treatment for a stiff knee will include exercises, medication, dietary changes and physical therapy. You can connect with the best specialist in India for your treatment.

Suggested Read: How Is Bone Marrow Transplant Changing Lives?

If you experience intense knee pain and require proper treatment, then we at Med Tour Advisors can assist. If you are a resident of Nigeria, Ghana, Zambia, Tanzania or any other country looking forward to getting treatment for knee stiffness or joint replacement surgery, we have the best joint replacement surgeon in India in our team to assist you. Connect with us to book an appointment for your treatment.