Knee pain can occur due to a torn meniscus or cartilage, a knee injury, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, repetitive use of the knee joint, bursitis, or, less commonly, a knee infection.

What Causes Knee Pain?

Being the biggest joint in your body, your knee supports your weight during movement. Since it handles a lot of your body’s weight and is constantly used, it’s highly vulnerable to injuries and gradual wear and tear.

Knee pain is often a common sign of an underlying medical condition, thus almost always requiring a consultation with an orthopedic doctor in Dibrugarh. The question is, what exactly causes knee pain?

Common Causes of Knee Pain

Here are the common causes of knee pain you should know.

Knee Injuries

It’s the most obvious cause. Sudden twisting of the knee, jumps, changes in direction, or awkward landing during sports or routine activities can all cause knee injuries.

For example, a sudden twisting movement can tear the meniscus or the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Many people hear the “popping” sound at the time of injury and experience intense pain followed by swelling, redness, difficulty moving the knee, or the feeling that their knee might give way.

Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis

With age, the cartilage cushioning your knee joint may start to wear away. Osteoarthritis isn’t just about damaged cartilage. But the condition affects your underlying bones, joint lining, and surrounding tissues. Osteoarthritis can cause aching pain, swelling, stiffness, and reduced mobility.

Rheumatoid arthritis is another condition that can cause knee stiffness and severe pain. However, unlike osteoarthritis, that develops usually in older people, RA is an autoimmune disorder that can affect people of any age.

Bursitis and Tendinitis

The tiny fluid-filled sacs in your knee are called bursae. Inflammation, irritation, or injury in the bursae can all cause pain and swelling. Bursitis happens due to joint overuse, direct pressure, or an injury.

Tendons connect your muscles to the bones. They can also get inflamed, irritated, or injured from repeated movements or excessive pressure on the joint, causing pain, especially during movement.

Knee Infection

Knee infections are less common, but can cause long-term complications, and almost always require immediate knee pain treatment in Dibrugarh.

Septic arthritis can cause sudden, unbearable knee pain, often accompanied by fever and swelling of the knee joint. If not treated promptly, it can cause permanent damage to the joint.

Repetitive Stress

Knee pain can also occur from repetitive use of the joint rather than a serious underlying condition. For example, climbing stairs frequently, starting a high-intensity workout, or putting excessive load on your knee joint can all cause knee pain. Your knee takes time to adapt to the new activity. So, sudden changes in activity levels, duration, and frequency can cause overuse pain.

When to Consult an Orthopedic Specialist for Knee Pain

Not all cases of mild knee pain that gets better with rest require medical attention. Visit an orthopedic doctor if you have:

• Persistent or worsening knee pain
• Swelling
• Redness and tenderness
• Difficulty bending, straightening, or moving the joint
• Pain accompanied by fever, swelling, and warmth

Some have short-term knee pain that improves with rest or resolves on its own over time. Others experience excruciating pain that makes daily activities challenging. The intensity, location, and pattern of the pain can suggest the underlying cause, but only a proper diagnosis can tell the exact issue.