There are quite a lot of factors that could trigger pain in the knees but before getting into the details let us begin with a clear understanding of the anatomy of the knee. Its main function is to bend and straighten so the body can move. Of course, it isn’t just a hinge, it also rotates and twists, providing our bodies with necessary flexibility. The major components that build up the structure of the knee are

• Bones – The knee joint involves three bones the femur for the top portion, the tibia for the lower portion and the patella.
• Ligaments – Apart from the most commonly known ACL and PCL ligaments that are more commonly prone to injuries there’s also the MCL (medial collateral ligament) and LCL (lateral collateral ligament) which both provide medial and lateral stability.
• Tendons – These are the muscles that connect to the bone. The most important tendons are the quadriceps and the patellar tendon. These tendons together with the patella help facilitate leg extension.
• Cartilage – The major purpose of Cartilage is to provide space and cushion for the knee joints
• Bursae – Apart from Cartilage, there are three other fluid-filled sacs called Bursae whose purpose is to cushion the knee further.

Conditions That Causes Knee Pain:

• Knee Ligament Injuries-

The function of ligaments is mainly to connect thigh bone to your lower leg bones. They are very much essential in keeping the Knees stable by holding the bones together. Knee ligament sprains and tears are very common sports injuries, and can occur to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), and medial collateral ligament (MCL). These injuries might sometime cause excruciating pain & could require surgery.

• Knee Cartilage Tears

Wear & tear of Cartilage can tend to trigger a sharp pain in the knee. The semi hard (usually tough yet flexible) tissue that covers the end of your bones is nothing but Cartilage. Knee cartilage comprises the two menisci on either side of the joint one being the medial meniscus, located on the inside of the knee and the lateral meniscus, positioned on the outside of the knee. Everyone might have come across the word “meniscus tear”. A tear in the knee cartilage is a common injury, and typically requires surgery.

• Arthritis Of The Knee

Arthritis is a common condition which is commonly seen among the aged people. Arthritis can cause of severe knee pain and disability. Rheumatoid Arthritis, Post-Traumatic Arthritis, and Osteoarthritis are some of the most commonly experienced Arthritis conditions. In the case of any of these three, you may experience stiffness and swelling thus making it tough to bend your knee.

• Post-Traumatic Arthritis

Post-Traumatic Arthritis can be seen as a result of repeated serious knee injuries which includes bone fractures and ligament tears. Severe pain, swelling, and stiffness conditions can be seen in this condition as the cartilage of the knee also gets damaged.

• Rheumatoid Arthritis Of The Knee

Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes the tissue around the joint to become inflamed and thickened. Chronic inflammation is a major case which can lead to damage and loss of cartilage. Rheumatoid arthritis represents only about 10 percent to 15 percent of all arthritis cases.

• Osteoarthritis Of The Knee

Osteoarthritis is one among the most common type of Arthritis conditions which is a progressive wearing of the cartilage in the knee joint. It is commonly seen among the people who are above 50years of age. Osteoarthritis can worsen with the growing age due to accumulated use and the wearing down of cartilage that occurs with age. Osteoarthritis of the knee causes pain, limited range of motion, stiffness of the knee, swelling of the joint, tenderness, deformity and weakness.

In case if are experiencing any of the above mentioned conditions then please feel to contact our Landmark Hospitals medical healthcare experts.