Why Knees Hurt

The knee is a complicated joint with lots of movable parts for different uses. It gives the leg room for bending and provides stability to carry the weight of the body. It’s also responsible for motions such as walking, jumping, turning, squatting and running.

For the knee to do all these jobs, it has to be supported by several parts including cartilage, bones, ligaments, muscles, and tendons. Too much of any kind of motion can lead to injuries or possibly diseases and severe knee pain. Even simple wear and tear can cause your knees to hurt and is normal as you age. However, the health of your knees can definitely be supported by preventive exercise to strengthen the muscles around your knees, a healthy weight and a brand-new product called ASEA Redox Supplement, that helps the body to do an effective healing from within.

(NOTE: The information offered in this article is solely meant as an overview on the subject and does not replace proper medical diagnosis. If you suffer from chronic knee pain you should always consult a medical physician.)
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There are quite a number of different types of knee injuries that will cause your knees to hurt. We have listed the most common ones:

• Fractures and Dislocations of the Kneecap

Trauma that occurs due to a fall or collision can cause serious fractures in the bones of the knee. The most common broken bone that is affected is the kneecap or patella.

People who have osteoporosis including other degenerative disorders that weaken the bones may fracture their knees by just stepping the wrong way or even tripping. Some fractures start as tiny cracks and slowly develop into serious infections. In such cases, you need to go for surgery, but for minor knee fractures, physical therapy will help.

There are some injuries that may lead to a dislocated kneecap. This occurs when the bone of the knees moves out of place. When a knee gets dislocated, oftentimes one or more bones fall out of place. It may occur due to car accidents, traumas, falls or contact sports. Often, a doctor will replace the kneecap without complication. An X- ray can help identify any fractures in the area. Occasionally, an individual may require surgery to prevent further dislocations.

• Osteoarthritis

If it becomes hard to bend or stretch your leg, or your knee feels sore and stiff and may even swell after too much motion, it could be because of worn out cartilage. This condition may be caused by osteoarthritis, a degenerative disease that is commonly referred to as ‘wear and tear arthritis.’ It’s a common type of arthritis that causes the joint bones to grind together.

This disease is more common in adults from the age of 55 and older. It may also occur due to joint malformations that can happen during birth. Similarly, injuries that happen due to frequent movements during sports or while working can lead to this illness. People with osteoarthritis experience frequent pain that increases when they are active, but becomes better with rest. Sometimes you may notice some creaking or crackly sound when the knee moves. The condition can get severe as time moves on.

• Bursitis

Bursitis is an injury that inflames the bursae. They are small fluid-filled sacs that provide a cushion to the outside of the knee joint and allow the tendons and ligaments to glide easily over the joints.

A rapid blow to the front of your knee causes serious injuries to the bursae. Alternatively, an injury can occur if you spend much time on your knees without protection. In most cases, bursitis can result in swelling, pain, warmth, and stiffness of the knee.

Most people will treat the symptoms of bursitis with oral medications such as non- steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and common sense therapy, if it ́s not too serious. Therapy includes icing, resting, splinting, and elevation of the limb.

For serious cases, steroid injections are recommended. Surgery may not be necessary for these individuals to attain full recovery, but they need proper treatment to cure these symptoms. 
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Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries

When you hear a pop and unexpectedly cannot move your feet after a sudden change of direction, especially when playing football, soccer, basketball, or any other sport, it may be because of a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). It runs behind your kneecap to offer extra stability to the joint. The result is a swollen knee and a feeling of instability.

Serious injuries to the ACL may require immediate surgery. But this depends on the scale of injury which is usually graded between one and three. Grade one pain is known as a mild injury, while grade three is described as a complete tear. People who do a lot of sports such as soccer or football, often injure their anterior cruciate ligaments. But sports is not the only cause of injury. Improper landing on the ground from a jump can also lead to a serious tear in the ACL.


Meniscus Tears

When you make a sudden twist with your full weight on your knee, you may tear the meniscus, a rubbery and thin cartilage that acts as a cushion between your shinbone and thigh bone. These pieces of cartilage can tear when subjected to 
intense sporting activities. Alternatively, they may tear away slowly as you age. 
A damaged meniscus is one of the most common knee injuries in adults. Any intense activity that forces you to twist or rotate your knee can lead to a torn meniscus. Similarly, when you place too much strain on the knees, your meniscus can tear and you may experience pain, stiffness, and swelling. All of this will obviously interfere with the proper functioning of your knees. 
When a meniscus tear occurs as a result of aging, it is known as a degenerative meniscus tear. You might feel a blockage or pain when trying to extend your knee fully. The type of tear will determine the treatment the doctor will recommend. 


Infections

A direct injury to the knee joints can make it more vulnerable to diseases and possible infections. Skin Cellulitis, for example, is a bacterial infection of the skin, that can affect the knee and it ́s surrounding area. 
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A tiny scrap or injury to the knee can be the source of this type of infection. It may get worse if the person doesn’t seek treatment. Some of the common symptoms that you’re likely to see are redness, hotness and tenderness in the infected part.

Similarly, if the patient doesn’t receive attention, the infection may spread to other parts of the body, including the bloodstream and lymph nodes. If there are delays in seeking treatment, cellulitis can lead to serious knee problems. Pay close attention to bruises and scrapes that fail to heal faster. 
Treatment for cellulitis include taking antibiotics. The symptoms will disappear after a few days.

Furthermore such infections as septic arthritis can affect the joints causing pain, redness, and swelling. Treatment includes immediate care for the patient, but if left untreated, it can lead to permanent infection and damage of the cartilage of the knee. 


Inflammatory Arthritis
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Aside from swelling and frequent pain, some illnesses can make you feel sick, tired, or feverish. When you have a condition affecting your immune system and your body’s defense system starts attacking your knees, it can lead to pain, stiffness and joint damage. These are known as autoimmune diseases. For instance, Rheumatoid arthritis affects the hands and other joints and you may experience loss of appetite, fatigue, and fever. It may also affect other organs and body systems. Psoriatic arthritis is characterized by itchy rashes and crumbling nails, along with joint pain. Lupus ​affects the joints, kidneys, and other parts of the body.


Treatment Options

Treatment of knee pain may vary depending on the cause and nature of the injury.

For injuries and strains to the knees, rest and ice can help in the healing process.

Trauma and tears from injuries may require over-the-counter NSAID drugs such as naproxen as well as popping the knee back in position, bracing, or surgery. 
In some case, physical therapy is important to help the person regain movement and also strengthen the knee joint.

When to See a Doctor

If the knee problem is severe, seek immediate medical attention from a doctor. In case of trauma or blunt force, you should see a doctor immediately after the injury has occurred. For diagnosis, the doctor might take X-rays or other knee images to determine the nature of the damage. Treatment may include braces, special exercises, medication, or sometimes surgery.


Conclusion

When your knees hurt, it is important to take caution and seek the right treatment to ensure the problem doesn’t get out of hand. Mauricio Munoz, a consultant for ASEA’s redoxed based technology, has had amazing success with ASEA Redox after being involved in a car accident that left him with a ripped ligament in his shoulder. Being an ASEA Diamond Executive, he would highly recommend trying an alternative way to deal with your knee pain by allowing the body to rebuild and repair damaged cells using cutting-edge technology on cellular health. For more information on his miraculous journey with ASEA Redox, visit his website or give him a call.