The knee is the largest single ball and socket joint in the body comprising femur and tibia. The cartilage in between these bones acts as a shock absorber and gives a cushion effect. The capsule and four ligaments provide stability. The tendons and muscles surrounding the knee which helps in bending the knee and provides dynamic support.
Chronic knee pain is the long term knee pain due to swelling or sensitivity in one or both the knees. There are many causes for chronic knee pain like Osteoarthritis (pain and due to destruction of joint by deterioration and degeneration), Tendinitis (pain in front of the knee), Bursitis (due to injury or overuse), Chondromalacia patella (damage of the cartilage under the kneecap), gout, Baker’s cyst (build-up of synovial fluid behind the knee), Rheumatoid arthritis (chronic autoimmune inflammatory disorder), Dislocation. Meniscus tear (rupture in the cartilage of the knee), torn ligament and bone tumors, bad posture, overuse, infection, etc.
The risk of chronic knee pain is due to overweight, age, previous injuries or trauma, athletic activity, and exercise. The symptoms of chronic knee pain include continuous nagging pain, sharp shooting pain while moving, and a burning sensation. Diagnosis can be done by doing blood tests, physical examination, X-rays, CT scan or MRI, and other imaging tests.
There are many treatments for chronic knee pain like physiotherapy, medication, injections, and surgery, Application of ice bags to the inflamed region, wearing cushioned flat shoes, keeping pillows on either side while sleeping or keeping pillows in between the knees, losing weight, and not standing for a long time are some of the practices to alleviate knee pain. Knee pain due to osteoarthritis is permanent, hence involves reducing irritation to the knee, preventing flare-ups and managing pain, by doing knee strengthening exercises like stair climbing.
Injections like corticosteroids reduce arthritis flare; Hyaluronic acid lubricate the joints and improves mobility and platelet-rich plasma reduces inflammation and promotes healing. There are different types of surgical procedures for different knee pains. There are surgical procedures like arthroscopic surgery to remove or repair damaged cartilage and for reconstructing torn ligaments. Partial knee replacement surgery in which the damaged part is replaced by metal or plastic, Total knee replacement surgery where the knee joint is completely replaced by an artificial joint made of high-grade polymers, plastics, and metal alloys. Alternative medicines like glucosamine and chondroitin supplements and acupuncture help in relieving the symptoms of knee pain.
For a proper therapy or treatment protocol, proper diagnosis is a must. X-rays help in identifying misalignment in the joints, fractures or dislocation. A CT scan gives detailed information about bones, joint spaces, and soft tissues like muscles and blood vessels. An MRI uses a magnetic field to map the fine details of bones, cartilage, muscles, and blood vessels. Ultrasound is used to map the superficial structures of the knee.
A blood test gives an idea regarding autoimmune disorder responsible for knee pain.
Regenerative medicines like micro=fragmented adipose injections, PRP, and stem cell injections are used to treat a variety of knee ailments. These are derived from the patient’s own body, processed minimally, and injected back into the site of injury.
KRIMS Hospital, Nagpur is the best hospital in Nagpur for all bone-related ailments and others. Dr. Abhijit Fuladi and Dr. Amol Kadu from KRIMS hospital are expert dedicated orthopedic surgeons who specialize in knee replacement, hip replacement, fracture, trauma care, and other ortho related problems. So if anyone is suffering from any of the knee problems, fix an appointment with KRIMS Hospitals, Nagpur and you are safe at the expert hand of orthopedic surgeons there.
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