Knee pain is a common problem affecting people of different age groups. Your knee could be hurting as a result of an injury or medical conditions such as osteoarthritis. Pain in the knee can affect your quality of life as activities you once enjoy, such as morning jogs, driving, cycling, swimming, and cleaning, can become overwhelming. Depending on the cause of your knee pain in Jacksonville, the discomfort can be mild or severe. Fortunately, minor knee pain can improve with self-care measures, including cold compresses.
Why Does My Knee Hurt?
You may experience knee pain due to different causes that include:
Injuries
Examples of common knee injuries that you may suffer include:
- Fractures- You can obtain a knee fracture from high-impact falls or a car crash when the bones of the knee break. Old age puts you at risk of getting fractures since your bones become brittle. The elderly can easily fracture the knee cap when they step wrong.
- Torn meniscus- The meniscus is a cartilage between your shinbone and thigh bone that absorbs shock from impact. It is tough and rubbery-like. The meniscus can tear when you suddenly twist your knee while bearing weight.
- ACL injury- The anterior cruciate ligament is among the four ligaments between the shinbone and thighbone. The ligament can tear upon forceful, sudden changes in direction. People who engage in sporting activities like soccer and basketball have higher chances of an ACL injury.
- Patellar tendinitis- Tendons are tough, fibrous tissues that attach muscles to your bones. They can become irritated and inflamed as a result of an injury to the patellar tendon. This tendon facilitates various activities like running, kicking, and jumping. This problem is common in cyclists, runners, and people that engage in jumping sports and activities.
Risk Factors for Knee Pain
While anyone can develop knee pain, various factors put you at risk for this problem, for example:
- Previous injury- Your chances of obtaining a knee injury are higher if you have had the same problem before.
- Obesity- Having a body mass index that is higher than usual puts strains on your knee joints and ligaments while engaging in everyday activities like walking up and down the stairs. With excess weight, you are at risk of developing osteoarthritis due to the acceleration of the breakdown of joint cartilage.
- Lack of physical activity- Engaging in regular physical exercise makes your muscles strong and increases flexibility. Strong and flexible muscles protect your joints while allowing you to achieve a full range of motion. People who do not exercise have stiff muscles and are likely to obtain knee injuries compared to those who exercise.
- Particular occupations- Jobs like farming and working at a construction site require repetitive stress on the knees and put you at risk for injuries. Sporting activities like alpine skiing and basketball involve much knee movement and increases one’s risk of knee injuries like anterior cruciate ligament injury and torn meniscus.
Do not let your knee limit your day’s achievements. Book a session with your doctor at Florida Regional Pain Management, P.A. for treatment to improve your quality of life.
