18 Surprising Reasons Your Knees Are Bothering You
5. Sprained Ligaments
Ligaments connect two bones together. Sprained ligaments may develop after an injury or accident. The knee is supported by four main ligaments: the anterior cruciate ligament, posterior cruciate ligament, medial collateral ligament, and lateral collateral ligament. In addition to these ligaments, many smaller ligaments are also routinely injured. Individuals with sprained ligaments often experience swelling, pain, stiffness, and instability or buckling of the knee. Sports injuries, falls, and car accidents are common causes of this type of injury. If imaging studies confirm the presence of one or more sprained ligaments, treatment will be tailored to the specific ligament that is injured. Some types of ligament sprains respond well to bracing, physical therapy, and other conservative treatments. More serious sprains may need surgery.
6. Knee Bursitis
Another significant cause of pain in the knees is a condition called knee bursitis. This condition involves the inflammation of the bursae, which are fluid-filled sacs located near the knees. Their function is to reduce the friction between the bones and the muscles, tendons, and skin around the joints. They cushion the pressure points. In most cases, knee bursitis occurs on the inner part of the knee below the joint, or over the kneecap. Knee bursitis can cause a few different symptoms. Aside from knee pain, patients often experience warmth, tenderness, and swelling around their knee. The symptoms, including pain, can worsen due to pressure. Unfortunately, knee bursitis can limit a patient’s mobility. Causes of this condition include overuse, trauma to the knee, frequent kneeling, a bacterial infection of the bursae, as well as a complication of arthritis. In many cases, this condition heals over time, and patients only require symptom relief, such as cool compresses and over-the-counter pain medication. However, other treatments include antibiotics, corticosteroid injections, and surgery for severe cases.
