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Why do my knees hurt when I climb stairs?
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Why does my knee pain on bending? How can it be treated?

by Health Fitness Galore

Knee pain on bending

why do I have pain in knees while using stairs

 
Celebrity fitness trainer Jane Fonda, World-class golf player Tiger Wood, and actor-turned-producer Michael Douglas have severe knee pain.
 
If you are active and always on the go it is good for your overall health, but sometimes you would be having knee pain on bending and it will make you wonder that why is it so? 
We are here with the answer to exactly this question.
 
According to a survey, knee pain on bending is the leading cause of orthopedic clinic visits every year.
 

What is a knee?

 
It is one of the most complex and largest joints in the body. It connects the tibia (shin bone) to the femur (thigh bone).
 

What is the function of the knee?

 
Do you easily sit on a chair or sofa, climb stairs, hills, any trail? It is because of the knee.
 
Knee functions as a hinge joint. It rotates slightly when it moves.
 
When the muscles contract at the front of the thigh the leg straightens. The front of the thigh is the quadriceps.
 
When the muscles contract at the back of the thigh the leg contracts. The back of the thigh is the hamstring.
 
Knee joints help in the extension, flexion, medial and lateral rotation of the legs.
 

Chondromalacia

 
The dull pain in the knee while bending or straightening the knee is chondromalacia patella.
 
It is the breakdown and softening of the cartilage under the knee cap or patella.
 
Pain generates when thigh bone and knee rub together and the noise thus generates is that of grinding and gnashing.
 

Treatment of Chondromalacia

 
Physiotherapy and moderate use of knees help in treating the pain.
 
For instant relief from pain, use panadol or any other painkiller.
 
Applying adhesive tape on the patella can be useful.
 
It is more common in teenagers and women.
 
In older aged people, it is because of old age wear and tear of tendons.
 

Misalignment of the knee cap

 
Sometimes the knee cap is misaligned, resulting in cartilage rubbing.
 
It happens most likely in athletes.
 
With every pound of our body weight, around 7 pounds of weight exerts on the knees while bending or during lifting any heavy object.
 

Causes of Knee pain on bending

 
It can be because of a number of reasons:
 

Sports injuries

 
The most common sports injuries which result in knee pain on bending include kneecap fracture, knee dislocation, Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries (ACLI), Posterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries, and Collateral Ligament Injuries, Meniscal Tears, and Tendon Tears.
 
Among these sports injuries to the knees, ACLI is the most common.
 

Traumatic injuries

 
These occur right away or within a day of onset of the injury. The injury can be because of falls, sports, road, or work-related accidents.
 
They are of various degrees from mild, moderate to severe (which may lead to everlasting injury).
 
Traumatic injury is characterized by swelling, knee pain, and the inability to straighten the legs.
 

Overuse injuries

 
Repetitive knee movements lead to overuse injuries. These are chronic in nature. They include patellar tendonitis, IT band syndrome, and Runner’s knees or patellofemoral pain syndrome.
 
Overuse injury consists of swelling, knee pain, numbness, loss of sensation, and tingling.
 

Patellar Tendonitis

 
Patellar tendonitis or Jumper’s Knee is the inflammation of a patellar tendon. The patellar tendon is the tendon that connects the knee cap (patella) to the shin bone (tibia).
 
Treatment of Patellar Tendonitis
 
Stretching and strengthening exercises, iontophoresis, and patellar tendon strap prove to be the useful line of action.
 

IT band syndrome

 
Iliotibial band syndrome or ITBS is one of the most common lateral knee injuries because of constant flexion and extension of the knees.
 
The iliotibial bands tighten which results in friction on the outer side of the knee while bending.
 
Poor training and poor muscle flexibility aggravate this condition.
 
IT band syndrome Treatment
 
Pain-killing medications, Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation, as well as physiotherapy, prove effective in its treatment.
 

Patellofemoral pain syndrome or Runner’s Knees

 
It is characterized by nerve pain around the knee cap in the soft tissues and the bone.
 
This pain increases with running, walking, jumping, sedentary lifestyle, during squats, or while climbing stairs.
 
Runner’s Knees Treatment
 
Rest, Ice, and Physical therapy is an effective way to treat it. Other than that shedding extra weight, warming up, cooling down, and strength training has also proved to be useful.
 

Arthritis

 
It is the inflammation of joints. If not treated properly, the condition may worsen.
 
Walking is beneficial for knee arthritis pain as it is low impact.
 
Those suffering from arthritis, feel pain and stiffness as soon as they wake up and after sitting for a long time in one position.
 
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. It remains latent in the early stages but as the cartilage wears off, the bones rub together causing immense pain.
 

Food that must be avoided during arthritis is:

 
  • Red meat
  • Alcohol
  • Salt
  • Fried Food
  • Canned Food
  • Sugary drinks
  • Omega-6 fatty acid containing food
 

Sprained Knee

 
The knee sprains, when the knee ligaments tear or overstretch.
 
With time it may lead to other complications like arthritis.
 
During a sprained knee pain, swelling, bruising, weakness, and muscle spasms may happen.
 

Treatment of Sprained Knee

 
Taking proper rest, physiotherapy, ice technique, compression, and immobilization are some of the possible treatments. Surgery is the last resort.
 

Meniscus Tears

 
The meniscus is the shock-absorbing C-shaped cartilage that connects the thighbone and shinbone.
 
It is tough and rubbery.
 
Meniscus tear is the most common type among knee injuries.
 
It occurs as a result of bearing weight or due to a sudden twist of the knee.
 

Treatment of Meniscus Tears

 
Meniscus tears can be treated with physiotherapy through strength training.
 
If the problem persists then cartilage repair or replacement through surgery is an option.
 

Take away

 
Knee pain on bending can happen because of a number of reasons but it can be treated through R.I.C.E (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Prevention). Proper exercise and physiotherapy are also beneficial for it.
 
If the problem persists then you can also opt for surgery for either replacement or removal of the kneecap, tendon, or ligaments.
 
Do not ignore the knee pain even when it is very dull and feeble. Consult an orthopedic doctor immediately.
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