Knee pain can affect people of all ages and from all walks of life. From athletes dealing with sports injuries to laborers dealing with wear and tear on their joints from work, there are many causes of knee pain. We offer regenerative medicine in Orlando to help people who are affected by joint pain get back to the activities they enjoy. In this article, we discuss some of the causes of knee pain and ways to manage it more effectively.
What Causes Knee Pain?
Understanding the root causes of knee pain is crucial in implementing effective prevention strategies. Here are common factors that contribute to knee discomfort:
- Osteoarthritis: A degenerative joint disease, osteoarthritis can lead to the breakdown of cartilage and cause chronic knee pain, especially in older adults.
- Sprains and strains: These often result from sudden movements or overexertion, leading to stretched or torn ligaments.
- Tendonitis: This condition occurs when tendons become inflamed due to repetitive movements or overuse, commonly seen in athletes and those with active lifestyles.
- Torn Ligament or Meniscus: These injuries often result from sudden twists or impacts, leading to severe knee pain and impaired mobility.
- Dislocated Kneecap: Traumatic incidents can force the kneecap out of its normal position, causing intense pain and potential structural damage.
- Gout: A form of arthritis, gout can cause severe pain and swelling in the knee joint due to the accumulation of uric acid crystals.
- Osgood-Schlatter’s disease (in adolescents): Common among young athletes, this condition results in painful inflammation below the knee due to excessive stress on the growth plate during periods of rapid growth. Understanding these diverse causes can aid in the adoption of proactive measures for preventing knee pain and maintaining optimal joint health.
Sprains, strains and other acute injuries are relatively easy to diagnose. However, it can be more difficult to identify and treat the cause of chronic knee pain with no obvious associated injury. Pain, stiffness and swelling in those who are older and who do not regularly engage in intense physical activity could be caused by osteoarthritis, or gout, for example.
How to Prevent Knee Pain
To preserve the longevity of your knees and minimize the risk of pain or injury, it’s crucial to adopt a holistic approach to knee care. Here are some practical strategies that can contribute to maintaining healthy knees and promoting overall joint well-being:
- Weight Management: Try to maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight can increase the strain on your knees.
- Exercise Routine: Get regular exercise. If you’re worried about your knees, consider low-impact exercise such as swimming.
- Nutritious Diet: Eat a healthy diet including calcium-rich foods to promote bone health.
- Alcohol Moderation: Avoid excessive alcohol consumption, as this can aggravate gout.
Getting Relief From Knee Pain
Acute knee injuries may heal given time and attentive physical therapy. However, pain caused by osteoarthritis, or scar tissues from previous injuries may require regenerative therapy medicine. The ViscoGen® regenerative treatment helps reduce pain and swelling. It also lubricates the knee joint, helping reduce pain and restore mobility. Regenerative medicine is a minimally invasive treatment that can be performed as an outpatient service, so you can take advantage of it without having to take a significant amount of time off work.
If you’d like to know more about our regenerative therapy medicine, contact us today to book a consultation. Our Lake Nona, Orlando clinic offers a variety of programs for knee pain relief. Get in touch today to see how we can help you get healthy knees again.
