Knee pain what does it mean

Purcell Dr. Karl M. Larsen Dr. Kobayashi Dr. Gregg G. Martyak Dr. Chance J. Henderson Dr. Douglas C. Crowther Dr. Ronald F. Hollis Dr. This information might give you an idea of what the cause might be. But do not self-diagnose — see a GP if you're worried. Page last reviewed: 12 January Next review due: 12 January Knee pain. How to ease knee pain and swelling Try these things at first: put as little weight as possible on your knee — for example, avoid standing for a long time use an ice pack or bag of frozen peas wrapped in a tea towel on your knee for up to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours take paracetamol Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:.

These can help with pain, inflammation and swelling. There are many types and brands. This means you can buy them over the counter, at supermarkets and pharmacies. Other types of anti-inflammatory painkillers do need a prescription.

NSAIDs carry a number of potential side effects, so you should ask your doctor or pharmacist if they are suitable for you before taking them. You can also read the patient information leaflet that comes in the packet.

These are also called topical painkillers. Some can be bought over the counter, at pharmacies, while others need a prescription. It is unclear whether rub-on anti-inflammatory painkillers work better than tablets. However, the amount of the medication that gets into your bloodstream is much less with rub-on painkillers, and there is less risk of side effects.

Knee pain will usually go away without further medical treatment, using only a few self-help measures.

If you need help you might first see a physiotherapist or your GP. You might also have the option of paying to see a physiotherapist privately. You might wish to see your GP if the pain is very bad or is not settling.

Your doctor will often be able to diagnose your knee problem from your symptoms along with a physical examination of your knee. Occasionally, they may suggest tests or a scan to help confirm a diagnosis — especially if further, more specialised treatment may be needed.

This may involve trying to make your hip muscles stronger, or help with foot problems, each of which can affect knee pain. If your pain is severe, you may be prescribed stronger painkillers such as codeine. Because this has more side effects than standard painkillers, it may only be prescribed for a short time and your doctor will probably suggest other treatments to tackle the causes of your pain. These might include physiotherapy , talking therapies and pain management programmes, surgery or injections.

Physiotherapy may help your knee pain, depending on what has caused it and what part of your knee hurts. A physiotherapist can give advice tailored to your individual situation. Knee pain can affect your mood, especially if it lasts a long time, and feeling low can make your pain worse. This could be a neighbour, relative, friend, partner, doctor, or someone else in the community. Talking therapies can also be useful for some people. You may be offered counselling on the NHS if you are struggling with long-term pain.

Counselling on the NHS usually consists of 6 to 12 sessions. You can also pay for counselling privately. ESCAPE-pain is a rehabilitation programme for people living with long-term pain that combines building upon your coping strategies, together with a tailored exercise programme for each person. Basically, the knee is 2 long leg bones held together by muscles, ligaments, and tendons. There are 2 groups of muscles involved in the knee, including the quadriceps muscles located on the front of the thighs , which straighten the legs, and the hamstring muscles located on the back of the thighs , which bend the leg at the knee.

Tendons are tough cords of tissue that connect muscles to bones. Ligaments are elastic bands of tissue that connect bone to bone. Some ligaments on the knee provide stability and protection of the joints, while other ligaments limit forward and backward movement of the tibia shin bone.

Many knee problems are a result of the aging process and continual wear and stress on the knee joint such as, arthritis. Other knee problems are a result of an injury or a sudden movement that strains the knee. Common knee problems include the following:. A sprained or strained knee ligament or muscle is usually caused by a blow to the knee or a sudden twist of the knee. Symptoms often include pain, swelling, and difficulty in walking.

Torn cartilage. Trauma to the knee can tear the menisci pads of connective tissue that act as shock absorbers and also enhance stability. Cartilage tears can often occur with sprains.

Treatment may involve wearing a brace during an activity to protect the knee from further injury. Surgery may be needed to repair the tear.