Common Causes of Knee Pain

Whether mild or severe, knee pain can be debilitating. Most people wrongly assume that knee pain is something only runners will experience, but there are several things that can lead to pain in this important part of the body. Some of the most common causes of knee pain include:

Knee Bursitis

Some injuries cause inflammation in the knee bursae. These are tiny fluid sacs that cushion the exterior of your knee joint, and allow ligaments and tendons to move smoothly over the joint. When these sacs become inflamed, it can lead to pain in the knees.

ACL Injury

A tear in the anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, can lead to severe knee pain. These ligaments connect your thighbone and shinbone. ACL injuries are most common in athletes who play soccer, basketball and other similar sports.

Patellar Tendonitis

When tendons become inflamed or irritated, the condition is referred to as tendonitis. The patellar tendon connects the shinbone to the front of the thigh. Inflammation of this tendon is common with skiers, runners and cyclists.

Torn Meniscus

Acting as a shock absorber, the meniscus is the tough, flexible cartilage between your thigh bone and shinbone. If you twist your knee suddenly while putting your weight on it, you can easily tear your meniscus.

Arthritis

There are numerous types of arthritis (over 100), and many can affect the knee. These include:

• Gout
• Osteoarthritis
• Septic arthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Pseudogout

Pain in the Foot or Hip

When we experience pain in the hips or feet, we often compensate by changing the way walk or stand. However, a change in gait can add more stress to the knee joint. Sometimes, pain felt in the hips or feet are actually caused by pain in the knees.

A Dislocated Kneecap

If the patella, the bone that covers the front of your knee, moves out of place (typically to the outside of the knee), it can cause severe pain. This condition can sometimes be so severe that you can physically see the dislocation.

Loose Cartilage or Bone

An injury or degeneration can sometimes cause a piece of cartilage or bone to break off. When this occurs, the loose pieces float around in the joint area, and can cause pain.

No matter the cause of your knee pain, a chiropractor can provide you with a treatment program that will not only alleviate discomfort, but also improve your posture and alignment to prevent future pain.

Relieve Knee Pain With A Chiropractor

At Family Chiropractic Care, we can provide a plan to help alleviate your knee pain. Call our Longview Chiropractor today.