Chronic Knee Pain

Three main bones in your knee are the thigh bone, shin bone and knee cap. They are surrounded by ligaments that connect your knee bones together, tendons that connect your knee bones to muscle, and fluid-filled sacs that cushion your knee. There is also cartilage between the thigh and shin bone that provides space and cushion when you move. The constant use of your knees and the fact that the knee is so complex makes it a perfect candidate for injuries and conditions that cause chronic pain.

Function

• The knee is the largest joint in your body and the most likely to be inflicted with arthritis. When you stand or walk, your knee absorbs the weight of your body and allows you to move your leg back and forth and bend it. Your knee can also move from side to side. Your knee depends on the ligaments that surround it for stability; they keep it from slipping out of position. Normal wear and tear on the knee is a major contributor to chronic knee pain.

Causes of Chronic Knee Pain

• According to eMedicine Health, knee pain can arise from the knee itself or result from conditions of the hip, ankle, or lower back. Chronic knee pain results from injuries, inflammation and infection.

  The most common cause of chronic pain comes from arthritis. Osteoarthritis is where your cartilage wears away and the bones rub against each other causing pain. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammation where your membrane thickens and produces fluid that fills the joint space. Traumatic arthritis follows an injury and damages the cartilage over time, resulting in pain and limited knee function.

  In addition, you may experience swelling, bruising, pain and tenderness from fractures. Sprains and tears cause instability in your legs and you notice swelling, along with a tearing sensation on the inner joint of the knee. A popping sound, your knee giving way, and pain bad enough to make you feel nauseated, followed by swelling, comes from tearing a ligament. A tendon rupture results in pain when kicking or bending the knee, and bursitis causes pain and inflammation of the sacs.

Home Remedies

• The National Guideline Clearinghouse suggests that many knee conditions will improve with conservative treatment such as low impact activities and exercises that support muscular strength and flexibility. Eliminating inflammation goes a long way in reducing chronic knee pain. Inflammation can become a vicious cycle with no relief. You can break the cycle by taking precautions. Protect your knees with knee pads or wrap them with an Ace bandage. Limit your activities so you are getting periods of rest in between.

  If your knee is swollen or you have inflammation, use ice on the knee during your rest periods. Elevate your knees to eliminate swelling and inflammation. Elevating the knees also assists with built-up fluid.

Warning

• See a physician if you experience deformity in your legs or knees, the inability to bear weight on your knee, marked knee swelling, excruciating pain, and a high fever in addition to redness, which may indicate an infection. Consult your doctor for recommendations on over-the-counter or prescription medication to manage pain. In some cases, you may need to visit a specialist for X-rays or another relevant test.

Considerations

• Working in a profession that constantly puts stress on the knees may damage cartilage and cause chronic pain. If you walk a lot, lift or squat consistently at your job, it may contribute to chronic knee pain. If you are over 50 or you are overweight, it may contribute to chronic pain in your knees due to wear and tear over time. Being overweight puts pressure on your knees and contributes to cartilage wearing down because the knees carry the weight of the upper torso. Sports also puts a tremendous amount of pressure on your knees, and always use the appropriate knee protection when you play sports.