The knee joint is one of the most important joints in the body, as it is essential for almost every activity we perform. As a result, the knee becomes more painful with age. Knee pain is common at all ages, especially in the elderly....CONTINUE READING
Knee pain is often accompanied by cracking (sounds or popping in the joint), swelling, joint instability, or a combination of these.
Regardless of the symptoms, you should seek medical attention if you have difficulty walking or notice any deformity or instability in the joint. Redness, swelling, and fever may also be present in cases of infection.
Causes of knee pain, according to healthline:
Bursitis
The bursa is a small, fluid-filled sac around the knee joint. They support the joint, relieve pressure, lubricate the joint and reduce friction during movement.
Inflammation causes the sac to swell and increases friction in the surrounding tissues, resulting in pain. The main causes of bursitis include trauma, repeated blows, and certain infections.
Tendinitis
A very active lifestyle can sometimes compromise the knee joint. Athletes who cycle, run, play tennis or basketball are more at risk of developing tendonitis. Tendinitis can cause pain in the patella and lead to inflammation of the patellar tendon.
Meniscus injuries
One of the most common knee joint injuries is a meniscus injury. In young people, this can be caused by trauma or aggressive use of the joint (e.g., athletes playing tennis or basketball).
As age increases, the meniscus degenerates, resulting in tenderness at this level.
Arthritis
Osteoarthritis is a common disease of the knee joint. It usually develops around the age of 30, as the joints wear out. Symptoms include stiffness, swelling, and limited joint movement.
