We rarely stop to think about how often we bend, straighten, or put weight on our knees throughout the day. It’s easy to take our knees health for granted, but the truth is, we rely on them constantly.
Engaging in high-impact sports like football, basketball or tennis can put even more stress on our knees, increasing the risk of developing knee related pain and injuries. The repeated jumping, pivoting, and sudden directional changes these activities demand can take a toll on the complex structure of our knee joints.
It’s no surprise then that knee pain ranks among the most common orthopedic complaints.
Five Causes of Knee Pain
The list of knee conditions that can cause knee pain is quite long and extensive, but among the most common causes, we can cite:
Osteoarthritis
Your knee represents the most common site of osteoarthritis. This degenerative condition occurs when the cartilage that cushions your knee joint breaks down over time, leading to inflammation, pain, and stiffness in the knee. Some risk factors for knee osteoarthritis include: age, obesity, previous knee injuries, and genetics.
Meniscus Tears
Your meniscus is a C-shaped piece of cartilage that acts as a shock absorber between your thighbone and shinbone. Twisting or rotating your knee suddenly can cause a meniscus tear, resulting in pain, swelling, and difficulty moving your knee. Athletes and older adults are more prone to this type of injury.
Patellar Tendinitis
Also known as "jumper's knee," patellar tendinitis occurs when the tendon connecting your kneecap to your shinbone becomes inflamed due to overuse. This condition is most common among athletes who engage in jumping sports like basketball and volleyball. Symptoms of this condition include pain and tenderness below the kneecap, especially during physical activity.
Bursitis
Bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs that reduce friction between bones, tendons, and muscles. When these sacs become inflamed, a condition called bursitis develops. In the knee, bursitis can cause pain, swelling, and warmth around the joint. Repetitive motions, prolonged kneeling, and direct trauma to the knee can all contribute to bursitis.
Ligament Injuries
Your knee joint is stabilized by four main ligaments: the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), medial collateral ligament (MCL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), and lateral collateral ligament (LCL). Injuries to these ligaments can occur due to sudden twisting motions, direct blows to the knee, or landing awkwardly from a jump. ACL injury is considered to be the most common type of ligament injury in the knee due to its vulnerability during high-impact sports that involve sudden stops, changes in direction, as well as jumping and landing.
Injuries to any of these ligaments often cause severe pain, swelling, and instability in the knee.
Three Therapeutic Injections to relieve Knee Pain
At our practice, we always start with conservative treatments to manage your pain and reduce your symptoms. Among the conservative options, therapeutic joint injections are often recommended to relieve the pain and promote healing.
When treating knee pain, your orthopedic doctor may recommend one of the following joint injections:
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections
PRP injections harness the power of your body's own healing properties. We draw a small sample of your blood, process it to concentrate the platelets, and then inject this platelet-rich plasma into your knee. Platelets contain growth factors that promote tissue repair and reduce inflammation, helping your knee heal naturally.
Corticosteroid Injections
Corticosteroids injections are effective anti-inflammatory medications that can quickly reduce pain and swelling in the knee. Such injections are often used to manage inflammatory conditions like bursitis. While corticosteroids provide rapid relief, they are typically used as a short-term solution, and often limited to only 4 injections per year in the same site to prevent side effects.
Hyaluronic Acid (HA) Injections
Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance in your knee joint that helps lubricate and cushion the joint. In conditions like osteoarthritis, the concentration of hyaluronic acid decreases overtime, leading to pain and stiffness. Hyaluronic acid injections mitigate the symptoms of osteoarthritis by replenishing the hyaluronic acid in your knee, providing it with an improved lubrication and shock absorption.
Don't let knee pain affects the quality of your life any longer. If you're experiencing persistent knee pain or have suffered a recent injury, we encourage you to contact us and schedule an appointment with your orthopedic doctor. Dr. Errachid will thoroughly evaluate your condition, discuss your treatment options, and help you get back to the activities you love.
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