Knee injuries can be simple or complex. Without a major injury knee pain is generally simple...

In general most knee pain can be directly related to the muscles that insert into the knee. Muscles that insert into the knee area include hamstrings, quadriceps, hip flexors, adductors, calves, and the muscles at the front of your leg below the knee. If any of these muscles have shortened due to long periods of sitting or from exercise or any other reason (and there are many), then as a result of the muscles shortening from one end of a joint to another, there will be an element of pain! So for example, if the quad muscles or hip flexors that attach from the pelvis into the knee are shortened for some reason, they will naturally pull on the knee because they insert into the knee via the patella tendon (the knee cap) ...

Knee pain is an extremely common complaint, and there are many causes. It is important to make an accurate diagnosis of the cause of your symptoms so that appropriate treatment can be directed at the cause. Common causes of knee pain include ligament injuries, patellar tendinitis, arthritis, bursitis, illiotibial band syndrome, dislocation of the knee cap and gout.. to mention a few ...  and the worst of these ... being a meniscus tear.

Trauma can cause injury to the ligaments on the inner portion of the knee (medial collateral ligament), the outer portion of the knee (lateral collateral ligament) or within the knee itself, (cruciate ligament). Injuries to these areas are noticed as immediate pain but are sometimes difficult to localize. A ligament injury to the knee is usually painful at rest and may be swollen and warm.  The pain is usually worsened by bending the knee, putting weight on the knee, or walking. Ligament injuries are initially treated with ice packs, immobilization, rest and elevation.  

Other areas of inflammation in the knee can be caused by tendinitis... Tendinitis of the knee occurs in the front of the knee below the kneecap at the patellar tendon or in the back of the knee at the popliteal tendon. Tendinitis is an inflammation of the tendon, which is often produced by a strain event, such as jumping! Once again tendinitis is treated with a combination of ice packs, immobilization with a knee brace if needed, rest and anti inflammatory medications.

A meniscus tear is a common knee injury, and one of the worst kind..The meniscus is a rubbery, C Shaped disc that cushions the knee. The menisci keep your knee steady by balancing your weight across the knee. A torn menisci can prevent your knee from working right. A minor tear in the menisci will cause slight pain and swelling and will generally go away within 2 to 3 weeks. A moderate tear can cause pain at the side or the centre of the knee and generally causes alot of swelling around the knee area.  After 3 days the swelling will generally get worse which will cause the knee to become very stiff and painful to bend. You might feel a sharp pain when you twist your knee or squat. These symptoms will usually go away after 2 – 3 weeks but can come back if you twist or overuse the knee. The pain may come and go for years if not treated. A severe menisci tear will cause alot of pain and swelling at the knee joint and you will find it very difficult to put any weight onto the knee... If I suspected any of the above, I would refer you on for a MRI Scan to identify the problem in the knee joint...

If you think this article applies to you then please do not hesitate to contact Amanda on 07789 810752 ... For a FREE 20 minute assessment

Remember to 'like' our facebook page as well to keep up to date with all of our latest news!

Written by Bournemouth based remedial massage therapist Amanda Burger