Knee pain is a common complaint that affects people of all ages. Knee pain may be the result of an injury, such as a ruptured ligament or torn cartilage. Medical conditions â including arthritis, gout and infections â also can cause knee pain.
Many types of minor knee pain respond well to self-care measures. Physical therapy and knee braces also can help relieve knee pain. In some cases, however, your knee may require surgical repair.
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The location and severity of knee pain may vary, depending on the cause of the problem. Signs and symptoms that sometimes accompany knee pain include:
Call your doctor if you:
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Knee pain can be caused by injuries, mechanical problems, types of arthritis and other problems.
A knee injury can affect any of the ligaments, tendons or fluid-filled sacs (bursae) that surround your knee joint as well as the bones, cartilage and ligaments that form the joint itself. Some of the more common knee injuries include:
Some examples of mechanical problems that can cause knee pain include:
More than 100 different types of arthritis exist. The varieties most likely to affect the knee include:
Patellofemoral pain syndrome is a general term that refers to pain arising between your patella and the underlying thighbone (femur). It's common in athletes; in young adults, especially those who have a slight maltracking of the kneecap; and in older adults, who usually develop the condition as a result of arthritis of the kneecap.
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During the physical exam, your doctor is likely to:
In some cases, your doctor might suggest tests such as:
If your doctor suspects an infection, gout or pseudogout, you're likely to have blood tests and sometimes arthrocentesis, a procedure in which a small amount of fluid is removed from within your knee joint with a needle and sent to a laboratory for analysis.
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Not all knee pain is serious. But some knee injuries and medical conditions, such as osteoarthritis, can lead to increasing pain, joint damage and disability if left untreated. And having a knee injury â even a minor one â makes it more likely that you'll have similar injuries in the future.
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Although it's not always possible to prevent knee pain, the following suggestions may help forestall injuries and joint deterioration:
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Over-the-counter medications â such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen (Aleve, others) â may help ease knee pain. Some people find relief by rubbing their knees with creams containing a numbing agent, such as lidocaine, or capsaicin, the substance that makes chili peppers hot.
Self-care measures for an injured knee include:
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
A number of factors can increase your risk of having knee problems, including:
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