Knee Pain Surgery for Inflammation, Deformation, Infection, Injury

There are a number of conditions which can cause knee pain. The most common cause of knee pain is arthritis. “Arthritis” means inflammation of a joint, but in general it describes any condition which causes damage to the cartilage.

What are the causes of knee pain?

1. OSTEOARTHRITIS

Osteoarthritis is the most common cause of knee pain if your are over 40 years of age. It is seen in many people as they age, although it may begin when they are younger as a result of injury or overuse. Although any joint may be involved, osteoarthritis is more common in weight-bearing joints such as the knee, hip, and spine than in the wrist, elbow, and shoulder joints.

The bone ends of a joint are covered with a smooth material called cartilage. The cartilage cushions the bone and allows the joint to move easily without pain. The cartilage covering the bone ends gradually wears away. Without it, bones would grind together. Bone growths called "spurs" develop in osteoarthritic joints. The joint inflammation causes pain & swelling. Continued use of the inflamed joint produces pain.

2. PATELLOFEMORAL SYNDROME

This is the most common cause knee pain if you are below 40 years of age. Tracking of patella or knee cap is abnormal in these persons and they experience pain while going up or downstairs and while squatting.


Anthroscopic view of normal Patellofemoral Joint	Anthroscopic view of Patellofemoral Arthritis

3. INFLAMMATORY ARTHRITIS

Knee pain is usually associated with pain and swelling in other joints. There may be constitutional symptoms like fever, body-ache and morning stiffness.

Examples of this type of arthritis are as follows:
* Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune condition that involves inflammation of the joints and joint pain.
* Psoriatic Arthritis is associated with skin disease.
* Ankylosing Spondylitis is arthritis of the spine causing pain around the heels, knees, and hips.
* Acute Rheumatic Fever

4. INFECTIVE ARTHRITIS

Septic Arthritis
Septic Arthritis is the most dangerous type which needs urgent diagnosis and treatment. Otherwise it could lead to septicaemia and a permanently damaged joint.

Tubercular Arthritis
Tuberculous arthritis is infection of one or more joints by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, leading to an ‘aseptic arthritis’. It causes pain and stiffness.

5. TRAUMATIC KNEE PAIN

Knee pain may be due to injuries to the knee which can lead to Meniscal Tears, Cruciate Ligament Tears, Chondral Cartilage Tears or Fractures.

Meniscal tears usually result from a twisting injury and the knee becomes painful and swollen. You can have history of clicking sensation.

Cruciate Ligament Tears result in unstable knees and you have difficulty in running or taking sudden turns.


View of Torn Menicus	Anterior-Cruciate-Ligament

6. NEOPLASM OR TUMORS

Tumors may be the cause of knee pain in any age group but are rare. Benign tumors are more common if you are young whereas malignant tumors are more common in middle age and older age groups. In malignant tumors there may be constitutional symptoms like fever, night sweats and body-aches.

Consult Hip Knee Surgeon for treating Knee Pain