Knee pain can range from a minor annoyance to a major problem that prevents you from taking care of your daily life.  People who don’t experience knee pain, or who may get a little twinge now and again, don’t realize just how painful and fatiguing that pain can be. It can be difficult to get up the stairs or to carry something that’s heavy. Whatever the symptom, you want it to go away whether you live in Highland Village, Texas or not.

To get rid of your knee pain, you first have to discover the cause of your pain. This is where Epic Healthcare can come in. If you call them at (972) 355-0083 they can set up an appointment and evaluate your knee pain, determine what tests, if any, are needed to find the cause, and then they can set up a treatment plan.

What Causes Chronic Knee Pain?

There are a number of reasons why you could be experiencing chronic knee pain. Some reasons are age related, others are related to lifestyle and yet others can be a result of past injuries that have reared their ugly heads. The causes are numerous, but most are treatable.

First are the causes that end with the suffix –itis. These are osteoarthritis, tendonitis, bursitis and rheumatoid arthritis. The –it is suffix refers to the inflammation associated with the conditions.

Osteoarthritis is a degeneration and deterioration of the joint that results in pain, inflammation and eventual destruction of the joint. This condition is typically associated with age-related orthopedic conditions, but can affect younger people.

Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune inflammatory condition. It causes your joints to swell and eventually leads to erosion of the bone and deformity of the joint. This is an extremely painful and debilitating condition in its later stages.

Tendonitis is an inflammation of the tendons and causes pain in the front of the knee made worse when walking up inclines, walking up stairs or climbing.

Bursitis is an inflammation of the bursa and this condition is caused by overuse of the knee or an injury to the knee. Obesity can exacerbate the symptoms of bursitis because of the additional strain the weight puts on the bursa.

Other Causes of Pain in the Knees

The next two most common causes of knee pain are ligament and cartilage related. A torn meniscus is a fairly common injury to one or more of the cartilages of the knee. A torn ligament ranks next as a common cause of knee pain.

Finally, there are some less common causes of knee pain and these are Baker’s cysts, gout, chondromalacia patella, bone tumors and dislocation. A Baker’s cyst is a buildup of the synovial fluid that lubricates the joint behind the knee resulting in what looks like a lump on your knee.

Gout is an arthritis-like condition that is caused by a build-up of uric acid. Gout can frequently be controlled by diet, but sometimes requires intervention.

If you have a bone tumor you will have knee pain. The second most common type of cancer is osteosarcoma and it commonly attacks the knee.

Finally, if you dislocate your knee cap you should have sought medical advice immediately. This is generally the result of trauma and can be fixed. But down the line you may end up with joint pain related to the trauma.

Are There Risk Factors That Make You More Susceptible?

There are conditions that will make you more at risk for chronic knee pain. Being overweight is the number one risk factor for knee pain. For every pound you weigh you add four pounds of pressure to what your knee has to absorb. This is particularly true when you are walking, climbing stairs or running.

Age is another risk factor for chronic knee pain. As you age the structures that support your knee deteriorate and you no longer had the padding that facilitated joint movement. This causes your bones to rub against one another, causing your chronic knee pain.

Previous injuries and traumas will also resurface, particularly as you age. Though you may have corrected the problem at the time it likely caused some permanent damage which will become evident as you age.

Athletic activity and physical exercise can also put you at risk, as there is a greater chance for injury or overuse. Both of these can lead to chronic knee pain if you aren’t careful.

How Do You Know if You Have Chronic Knee Pain?

Well, aside from the obvious, knee pain, there are other signs that your knees need to be looked at. If you notice swelling, redness or tenderness around your knee that would indicate an inflammatory condition that should be taken care of. Sharp, shooting pain and/or a constant ache are also clues to get to a healthcare provider.

If you have knee pain, contact Epic Healthcare at (972) 355-0083 for an appointment and evaluation and let us help you live pain free.