Common causes of severe knee pain

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/310653#talk-to-a-doctor

Severe knee pain can occur in people of all ages for a range of reasons.
Knowing the cause of severe knee pain can help a person seek treatment,
relieve symptoms, and regain mobility.

The knee is the joint between the bones of the upper and lower leg. It allows the
leg to bend and provides stability to support the weight of the body. The knee
supports motions such as walking, running, crouching, jumping, and turning

Several parts help the knee to do its job, including: Bones, Cartilage,
Muscles, Ligaments and Tendon

Any of these parts are susceptible to disease and injury, which can lead to
severe knee pain

This article breaks down the common causes of severe knee pain into five
categories: Trauma, infection, metabolic, degenerative disorders, and
connective tissue disorders.

Trauma

Either direct or gradual trauma can cause knee pain.

The Arthritis Foundation lists the knee as one of the most injury-prone
joints.

The overall structure and components of the knee increase the risk for
certain types of injury, which can cause pain and prevent full function.
Common knee injuries occur because of tears in one of the three main
ligaments of the knee.
These are:

 the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)

 the medial collateral ligament (MCL)
 the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)

Injuries to these ligaments are common in athletes

A sudden twisting motion or change in direction can injure the ACL. This is
one of the most common knee injuries.

People tend to injure the PCL with direct impact to the area, such as a car
crash or football tackle. A direct blow to the knee can lead to MCL damage.

Ligament injuries often require surgery.

Knee trauma can also lead to injuries as a result of overworking or

overstretching a tendon. Inflammation, tendinitis, or ruptures can cause
knee pain. Engaging in activities that involve the tendons can cause tendon
injuries, such as running, jumping, and lifting heavy items.

Patellar tendinitis is the term that describes irritation and inflammation of

the patellar tendon in the knee. A severely ruptured tendon usually requires
surgical repair.
Less severe cases can be treated with a rigid support called a splint that
keeps the knee in a fixed position during the healing process.

Knee bursitis

An injury that inflames the bursae can lead to bursitis. The bursae
are small, fluid-filled sacsTrusted Source that cushion the outside of the
knee joint and make it possible for tendons and ligaments to glide easily
over the joints.
A sudden blow to the front of the knee can injure the bursae. Alternatively,
damage can occur if people spend a lot of time on their knees without
protection. Bursitis can lead to swelling, warmth, pain, and stiffness in the
knee.

Most people can resolve the symptoms of bursitis with therapy and oral
medications, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Therapy can include rest, ice, elevation of the limb, and splinting.

People with serious bursitis might require steroid injections. Individuals will
not normally need surgery to make a full recovery and will normally achieve
full function with proper management and treatment.

Fractures

Trauma from a fall or collision can cause fractures in the bones of the knee.
The knee contains several bones that can break, including the kneecap,
also known as the patella.
Individuals with osteoporosis or other degenerative disorders that weaken
bones can fracture their knee simply by stepping off a curb in the wrong
way. Serious fractures require surgery, but some people with a knee
fracture need only physical therapy.

Dislocated kneecap

Some injuries can cause the kneecap to move out of place.

Often, a doctor can replace the kneecap without issue. An X-ray can
identify any accompanying fractures in the area. The individual may have to
use a splint to allow the soft tissue around the patella to heal and regain
strength. Occasionally, a person will require surgery to prevent further
dislocations.

A dislocated knee is a rare but dangerous injury and differs from a

dislocated kneecap. It takes a highly powerful blow to cause this type of
damage. Though reversible, dislocation of the knee is extremely painful.
The doctor must reduce the dislocation and ensure that there are no further
injuries. Injuries to the blood vessels and nerves around the knee are
common with this injury, and it can be limb-threatening and life-threatening.
A doctor will almost always recommend surgery to repair the damaged
structures in a knee dislocation. It can take about 6 weeks to heal from a
dislocated kneecap.

This a medical emergency and requires immediate clinical attention.

Degenerative tissue disorders

Degenerative tissue disorders are a common knee complaint.

Osteoarthritis causes degeneration in the cartilageTrusted Source and

surrounding tissues of the knee. It can produce pain, stiffness, and joint
dysfunction.

The degenerative condition occurs most commonly as a result of aging. It

occurs in 10 percentTrusted Source of men and 13 percent of women over
the age of 60 years in the United States.

Although there is no cure for this degenerative disease, people can

manage the symptoms with gentle exercise and pain relief medications.

Severe damage may lead to joint replacement or other forms of surgery. A

doctor will initially order an X-ray to assess the extent of the damage and
decide on the best course of treatment.
Connective tissue disorders

Rheumatoid arthritis can be a cause of knee pain.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory autoimmune disorder that

affects the joints.

The immune system attacks the joint tissues instead of harmful elements in

the body.
Unlike degenerative tissue disorders, RA and other connective tissue
disorders affect the lining of the joints. The result is a painful swelling in the
knee joints. If a person does not receive treatment, RA can lead to bone
erosion and even joint deformity.

Even though the pain might only occur in the knee area, RA can damage
other parts of the body. Discuss treatment options with a doctor.

There is no cure for RA, but medication and treatment options are
available. NSAIDs, corticosteroids, and biological agents are a few of the
possible treatments, as well as disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs
(DMARDs).

Metabolic problems

Metabolic causes of knee pain often occur alongside a disease that affects
several parts of the body, such as gout.
A build-up of uric acid crystals in the joints can cause gout, one of the most
common metabolic complaints that can affect the knee.

Gout is a form of arthritis and can be extremely painful. It causes swelling

and inflammation in the knee and can reduce the range of motionTrusted
Source in the area.

A doctor will often recommend anti-inflammatory medications or other

treatments that help break down the chemicals in gout crystals.

Pseudogout is a similar condition. People commonly mistake this for gout,

and it causes calcium-containing crystals to develop in the joint fluid,
leading to swelling in the knee.

Treatment for gout and pseudogout are often similar.

Infection

Cellulitis is a very serious bacterial skin infection that can affect the knee
and surrounding area.

Infection can even occur after a simple scrape on the knee if a person does
not receive treatment for cellulitis. Symptoms often include redness in the
infected area and skin that feels hot and extremely tender to the touch.

The infection can spread to other areas of the body, including the lymph
nodes and bloodstream. Cellulitis can be life-threatening if there are delays
in treatment.

Pay close attention to any scrapes or bruises, especially if they do not

seem to be healing.

In most cases, an individual can treat cellulitis by taking antibiotics. Signs

and symptoms normally disappear within a few days of treatment.
It is also possible for an infection called septic arthritis to occur in the joints
of the knee, causing swelling, pain, and redness. Some individuals also
complain of a fever.

Treatment is simple and effective if a person quickly receives care for

septic arthritis, but leaving the infection untreated can lead to permanent
damage to the cartilage of the knee.

Talk to a doctor

A trained medical professional should perform tests to determine the direct

cause of any knee pain.

They may reach a diagnosis by asking the following questions:

 When and how did the pain start?

 Is the pain linked to an injury?
 How severe is the pain?
 How has the pain changed over time?
 What makes the pain worse and what makes it feel better?
 What treatment has taken place so far?
 Has this ever happened before?

The doctor will be able to recommend a course of treatment appropriate for

the cause of the pain

The doctor will be able to recommend a course of treatment appropriate for

the cause of the pain.

 What is the best way to identify the cause of my knee pain

The best way to manage knee pain is to identify the cause, as follows:
 Metabolic causes: Is there a history of gout or symptoms including
dehydration that could precipitate a gout attack? If you have a
diagnosis of gout, are you managing the condition with medication?
Keeping up your regimen could reduce knee pain.
 Trauma: You will normally be aware of what causes a trauma, unless
it is a repetitive type of trauma, such as a sudden and drastic
increase in running distance.
 Infection: Is the joint red, hot, or swollen? Does the patient have a
history of infections elsewhere or a compromised immune system?
An elevated temperature is also a sign of infection in the knee.
 Osteoarthritis: Was the onset gradual or sudden? With OA, the pain
usually develops gradually. Excessive body weight is one of the more
common findings in people with osteoarthritis of the knee, so if you
are overweight, this could be contributing to knee pain.
 Connective tissue disorders: Do you have a pre-existing diagnosis
of a connective tissue disorder? If so, have you been taking
medications to control it? Are there other joints involved, as with
rheumatoid arthritis? If one knee is involved, a connective tissue
disorder will likely affect the other knee.

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