Knee problems tend to flare up as we age; an orthopedic specialist explains available treatment options

Knee injuries are common in athletes 41% of all sports injuries. But knee injuries are not limited to competitive athletes. In our daily lives, an accident or a quick movement in the wrong direction can damage our knee and require medical treatment. One quarter of the adult population worldwide experiences knee pain every year

aspect physical therapist and board-certified orthopedistI help patients of all ages with knee injuries and degenerative conditions.

MORE: Nearly 1 in 4 Americans report suffering from chronic pain that can affect daily life

Your knees have a huge impact on your mobility and overall quality of life, so it’s important to prevent knee problems as much as possible and relieve pain in these joints with appropriate treatments.

healthy knees

knee joint The bones consist of femur, tibia and patella. As in all healthy joints, smooth cartilage covers the surfaces of the bones, forming the joints and allowing controlled movement.

Muscles, ligaments, and tendons further support the knee joint. anterior cruciate ligamentCommonly known as ACL and posterior cruciate ligamentor PCL provides internal stability of the knee. Also two hard parts fibrocartilageIt is located inside the joint called the meniscus and provides greater stability and shock absorption.

All of these structures work together to allow the knee to move smoothly and pain-free during daily movements, whether bending over to pick up the family cat or going for a run.

Causes of knee pain

The two main causes of knee pain are acute injury and osteoarthritis.

Ligaments such as the ACL and PCL can stretch and tear when a shear force occurs between the femur and tibia. ACL injuries often occur when athletes land awkwardly on the knee or turn quickly on upright footing. Depending on the severity of the injury, these patients may receive physical therapy or need surgery for repair or replacement.

PCL injuries are less common. They occur when the tibia encounters a posterior or backward force. These types of injuries are common in car accidents, when the knee hits the dashboard, or when patients fall forward while climbing stairs.

Menisci can also experience degeneration and tear due to shearing and rotational forces, especially during weight-lifting activities. These types of injuries often require rehabilitation through physical therapy or surgery.

knee pain It can also result from injury or overuse of the muscles and tendons surrounding the knee, including the quadriceps, hamstrings, and patellar tendon.

Both injury and overuse of the knee can lead to degenerative changes in the joint surfaces known as osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is a progressive disease This can cause pain, swelling and stiffness. this disease Affects the knees of more than 300 million people worldwide, mostly people aged 50 and over. American adults have a 40% chance development of osteoarthritis This condition affects their daily lives, and the most commonly affected joint is the knee.

Age is also a factor in knee pain. The structure and function of your joints You change as you get older. Cartilage begins to form corruptionyour body produces less synovial fluid It lubricates your joints and muscle strength and flexibility decreases. This can cause painful and restricted movements in the joint.

Risk factors for knee problems

there are some Risk factors for knee osteoarthritis that you can’t control, such as genetics, age, gender and your previous injury history.

Fortunately, there are several risk factors you can control that may make you particularly prone to knee pain and osteoarthritis. The first is excess weight. According to studies between 2017 and 2020, almost 42 percent of adult Americans are obese. This obesity is a major risk factor for diabetes and osteoarthritis and may also play a role in other knee injuries.

Lack of physical activity is another risk. 1 in 5 US adults They report being sedentary outside of work duties. This can lead to: less muscle support More stress on the knee and on the joint itself.

An inflammatory diet also increases the risk of knee pain due to osteoarthritis. Research shows that average American dietFoods that are generally high in sugar and fat and low in fiber can cause changes in the body. gut microbiome HE Contributes to osteoarthritis pain and inflammation.

Preventing knee pain

Increasing physical activity is one of them. essential elements of prevention knee pain. Often physical therapy intervention for patients with knee osteoarthritis focuses on strengthening the knee to reduce pain and support the joint during movement.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends that adults spend at least 150 to 300 minutes per week at moderate intensity or 75 to 150 minutes per week at vigorous intensity. aerobic physical activity. These rules do not change for adults who already have osteoarthritis, but their exercises may require less weight-intensive activities such as swimming, cycling or walking.

The agency also recommends that all adults do some form of resistance training at least two or more days a week. Adults with knee osteoarthritis Take advantage of quadriceps strengthening exercises, especially straight leg raises.

Knee pain treatments

Conservative knee pain treatment It includes anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving medications and physical therapy.

Medical treatment of knee osteoarthritis It may include cortisone injections to reduce inflammation or hyaluronic acid injections to help lubricate the joint. The relief obtained from these interventions is usually temporary as they do not stop the progression of the disease. But they can delay the need for surgery on average between one and three yearsDepending on the number of injections.

Physical therapy is often a longer-term treatment option for knee pain. Physical therapy treatment leads to more permanent pain relief and functional improvements compared to physical therapy treatment. cortisone injection treatment And some meniscus repairs.

Surgical interventions for knee pain include repairing, replacing, or removing the ACL, PCL, meniscus, or cartilage. When more conservative approaches fail, patients with osteoarthritis may benefit from partial or complete treatment. knee replacement to allow more pain-free movement. In these procedures, one or both sides of the knee joint are replaced with plastic or metal components. Patients then participate in physical therapy to help regain range of motion.

Although any surgery has risks, most patients who undergo knee replacement surgery benefit from reduced pain and increased function. 90% of all replacements Lasting more than 15 years. But not all patients are like that Candidates for this type of surgeryA successful outcome depends on the patient’s overall health and well-being.

New treatments on the horizon

New developments for knee osteoarthritis focus on less invasive treatments. Recently the US Food and Drug Administration approved a new implant that acts like an implant. shock absorber. This requires a much simpler procedure than total knee replacement.

Other promising interventions include: knee embolizationA procedure in which small particles are injected into the arteries near the knee to reduce blood flow to the area and reduce inflammation near the joint. Researchers are also investigating injectable solutions derived from the human body. protein and fat cells rich in plasmaTo reduce inflammation and pain caused by osteoarthritis. Human stem cells and their growth factors also show potential in treating knee osteoarthritis. potentially improving muscle atrophy And cartilage repair.

More research is needed on these new interventions. However, any intervention that promises to stop or delay osteoarthritis is certainly encouraging for the millions of people suffering from this disease.