Knee Pain
Andreas Leonidou
Orthopaedic Surgeon
56 Kifisias Ave. & Delfon St.,
Marousi, 15125
- Symptoms
- Conservative Treatment
- Surgical Treatment
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Knee pain is a very common condition that affects simple daily activities. It can be caused by a sudden injury, excessive strain, or an underlying condition such as arthritis. Treatment varies depending on the cause and affects people of all ages.
The Anatomy of the Knee
The knee is a vulnerable joint that is subjected to significant stress from simple daily activities. The knee is formed by the following structures:
Femur: the largest bone in the human body
Tibia: the bone that supports the thigh
Fibula: plays an important role in the stability of the knee and ankle and in supporting the muscles of the leg
Patella: located in front of the tibia and femur
These bones are connected to each other by four main ligaments, which stabilise the joints and define the limits of movement, preventing movements beyond these limits:
Anterior cruciate ligament and posterior cruciate ligament
Medial collateral ligament and lateral collateral ligament
The bones are covered by articular cartilage. Articular cartilage reduces friction between the bones and distributes loads evenly during movement.
Between the articulating bones are the menisci (medial and lateral), which act as “shock absorbers”, absorbing impacts during movement.
What Are the Most Common Knee Problems?
Many knee conditions are the result of ageing and the natural wear and tear of the articular cartilage. In many cases, knee problems are caused by injuries.
Meniscus tear: is caused during sudden twisting movements or deep squatting. Symptoms include pain, swelling, and difficulty moving the knee. Sometimes, a characteristic “clicking” sound may be heard at the time of injury.
Anterior cruciate ligament tear: is usually caused by a blow to the knee or a sudden twisting movement of the knee. Symptoms include pain, swelling, instability, and difficulty walking.
Knee arthritis: the cartilage of the joints wears down, resulting in pain and difficulty with movement. It affects older individuals and, in some cases, may be caused by an injury.
Tendinitis: inflammation of the tendons around the knee. Commonly affected tendons include the patellar tendon and the hamstring tendons.
Chondropathy: occurs most commonly in the patella and is caused by thinning and degeneration of the cartilage. Patients with patellar chondropathy experience pain in the front of the knee, which worsens when going up and down stairs.
Iliotibial band syndrome: pain on the outer surface of the knee following inflammation of the iliotibial band. It occurs more frequently in runners.
How Is the Diagnosis Made for Knee Problems?
In addition to a complete medical history and physical examination, other tests for knee problems may include an X-ray, ultrasound scan, or MRI scan.
Knee Pain: Prevention – Treatment & Management
There are several ways to relieve knee pain, whether it is caused by a recent injury or arthritis.
Do not rest excessively. Too much rest can weaken your muscles, which may worsen joint pain. Find an exercise programme that is safe and pain-free for your knees.
Proper warm-up and stretching before exercise.
Wear appropriate sports footwear. Avoid running on asphalt or concrete.
Strengthen your knees. Proper exercises strengthen the muscles that support your knee and increase flexibility.
Maintain a healthy body weight.
Avoid smoking. It has been proven that smoking contributes to the development of osteoarthritis and generally to the deterioration of articular cartilage.
Conservative treatment. Rest, ice therapy, and leg elevation help when pain is caused by a minor injury or inflammation due to arthritis.
The Orthopaedic Surgeon can advise you on the usefulness of injections of hyaluronic acid or biological factors.
If conservative treatment fails, the Orthopaedic Surgeon will recommend surgical management of the condition, depending on the extent of the condition and your symptoms. Surgical treatment is performed with knee arthroscopy, which offers a definitive solution with excellent functional outcomes. In cases of advanced knee arthritis, open surgery with minimally invasive knee arthroplasty may be required.
If you suffer from knee pain, contact the specialised Orthopaedic Surgeon for personalised diagnosis and treatment of your condition.
Book your appointment for immediate diagnosis, specialist care, and targeted treatment in just one visit.