Knee joint pain is one of the most common orthopedic conditions for which people seek medical help. Though athletes and arthritis patients are the ones to suffer knee pain most, it can happen to anyone. Ultimately, it affects mobility and impacts the quality of life. As guided by Dr. Tushar Ubale, this blog discusses various knee pain causes in young adults and various surgeries that can treat this condition.
What are the knee pain causes in young adults?
Given below are the various knee pain causes in young adults:
Ligament Injuries
The knee is mainly stabilized by four ligaments. When any of these ligaments are injured, you may encounter knee instability issues. Therefore, the ligament injuries are also to be mentioned while listing the Joint pain causes in young adults:
ACL Injury
ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) injuries occur because of a wrong jump or awkward pivoting or twisting in the knee. An ACL injury involves a tear in which the shin bone (tibia) can slide in front of the thigh bone (femur). Such injuries result in swelling and severe pain.
PCL injury
The PCL (posterior cruciate ligament) injuries occur during sports or as a result of motor vehicle accidents. In a PCL injury, the shin bone slides backward under the thigh bone. This ligament injury causes swelling and a feeling of looseness in the entire knee.
MCL/LCL injury
MCL (Medial Collateral Ligament) and LCL (lateral collateral ligaments) are structures that extend down either side of the knee and help to provide stability along the sides of the knee. As described by the patients of MCL or LCL injury, in this condition, the knee gives the sensation of collapsing sideways.
Patellofemoral Syndrome
Patellofemoral Syndrome is a term to describe pain in the front of the knee and around the patella (kneecap). It is generally common in people who are involved in sports activities such as jumping and running.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that leads to swelling, stiffness, and inflammation in the knee joint, which, if not controlled, can cause permanent and irreversible joint damage.
Tendinitis
Tendinitis is a general term for inflammation of the tendons, the connective tissue that supports the joint. Tendinitis often results in knee pain and swelling. The most common cause of tendonitis is overuse or repetitive use, injury, poor blood circulation, and a change in activity level.
Osgood-Schlatter disease
Osgood-Schlatter disease is a prevalent cause of knee pain in children. The condition causes the growth plate on the top and front of a child’s tibia to inflate.
When should you see the doctor?
Early intervention can help in speedy recovery. So if you observe the following signs, you should not delay in seeing your doctor:
- Inability to bend the knee
- Frequent episodes of pain, swelling, or fever
- Some kind of deformation in the knee
- Pain behind the knee when walking
- A popping sensation during twisting movements
How can knee pain be treated?
Non-Surgical Treatment
Physiotherapy
Physical therapy sessions are recommended for young patients with knee pain to improve their muscle movements. These therapies strengthen the ligaments around the affected area and provide flexibility as well as relief from pain. In addition, following the exercises demonstrated by a physiotherapist not may help you in overcoming the knee distress, but also prevents any further damage to the injured bone or tissue.
Braces
A knee brace works by shifting your weight off the most damaged part of the knee. Brace materials are combinations of metal, plastic, foam, elastic material, and straps. Wearing a knee brace can help in managing the discomfort caused due to knee pain. It also improves the ability to get around and helps you walk farther without any discomfort.
Surgical Treatment
Surgeries correct the knee instability by addressing the root knee pain causes in young adults. Some such surgical treatments are discussed below:
Arthroscopic Knee Surgery
Arthroscopic knee surgery is a method where a small incision is made in the knee, and a camera is inserted, permitting the surgeon to have an internal view of the knee. If he detects a problem, he may rectify it on the spot with small arthroscopy tools. This is probably the least invasive surgical procedure, and the recovery is substantially quicker.
Osteotomy
Osteotomy is another surgery performed to correct the alignment of the bones of the knee joint. This technique involves making an incision in front of the knee and removing a piece of bone or bone fragments, which is then replaced with a metal implant.
Dr. Tushar Ubale is an orthopedic surgeon with strong expertise in knee pain management. To this date, he has helped thousands of people recover from knee injuries, including surgery to fix torn ligaments, meniscus tears, and ACLs. His patient reviews are the tributes to his great treatment techniques and his discreet and comforting approach.