Table of contents:
- Causes of severe knee pain
- 1. Knee injury
- 2. Arthritis
- 3. Mechanical problems
- 4. Uric acid
- 5. Osgood-Schlatter disease
Everyone may experience knee problems at least once in their life, but they are usually only mild pain. What if your knee pain is unbearable? Check out the various causes of severe knee pain, so that you can control it better.
Causes of severe knee pain
1. Knee injury
Knee injury can happen at any time in your life. This can affect the ligaments and tendons around the knee joint, and the bones and ligaments that make up the knee joint. Some of the injuries that cause severe knee pain include:
ACL injury
ACL stands for Anterior Cruciate Ligament , which is one of the four ligaments that connect the shinbone to the femur. An ACL injury is a tear in this ligament. ACL injuries usually occur in people who play sports that require sudden changes in direction, such as basketball, soccer, or volleyball. Women are more likely to experience ACL injuries than men.
Fracture
When you have an accident, such as falling from a tree or ladder, or a traffic accident, you can break a bone. People who have osteoporosis are more likely to have fractures than people in general.
Knee bursitis
Some repetitive knee movements cause fluid to build up over the knee joint. This makes the pain worse when you bend your knee completely. Knee bursitis affects people in certain occupations such as footballers.
Patellar tendinitis
Patellar tendinitis is a problem in the patellar tendon. The patellar tendon is a group of fibrous tissue that connects the quadriceps muscle at the front of the femur to the shin. People who play jumping sports such as basketball and volleyball are more at risk for this condition.
2. Arthritis
Arthritis is a common cause of severe knee pain. Here are some of the types of arthritis:
Osteoarthritis
With increasing age or overuse, the knee becomes less flexible, stiff and painful. This pain can get worse when you place weight on the knee. Osteoarthritis can also cause fluid-filled swelling at the back of the knee, which can be very painful.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the body's immune system attacks its own tissues. This condition can occur in any joint of the body. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease but can be severe.
Arthritis due to infection
This happens when your knee becomes infected. You may have a fever, and then your knees will become swollen, hot, and painful. You may have to drain the fluid that has built up in your knee before taking antibiotics. In some cases, surgery is required.
3. Mechanical problems
Saggy body
Over time and age, bone and cartilage can degenerate. Some of the bone or cartilage may break and float in the joint. Pain can occur when you move your knee.
Dislocation
The bone called the patella moves out of position, and there is a dislocation of the kneecap. This condition usually occurs on the front of the foot and is more likely to be experienced by women than men. Your knees will become swollen and you will feel pain and may not be able to walk.
Hip or foot pain
Sometimes when you have hip or foot pain, you will change your gait to avoid the pain. This can impact the knee joint.
4. Uric acid
When you have gout, your knee can become red, hot, and you can have severe pain.
When the body produces too much uric acid and forms crystals in the joints, the knee can become inflamed and painful. You may not be able to walk normally, you may not even be able to move your knees. To treat gout, you may be advised to use cold compresses and medications.
5. Osgood-Schlatter disease
This is a disease that is common in adolescents and young people. If you experience pain, swelling, and pain in the area under the kneecap, then you may have Osgood-Schlatter disease.
Osgood-Schlatter disease occurs when the bone at the top of the lower leg breaks. Playing sports can cause this disease. You may be advised to use painkillers and reduce activity to relieve pain due to this disease.
The problems listed above are common causes of severe knee pain. Once you have knee pain, you should see a doctor. Your doctor can explain the cause of your pain and find ways to treat and avoid the condition so that you don't experience it again.
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.