- January 22, 2025
If you feel sudden knee pain while performing daily activities, it is unlikely to cause you anxiety and does not require a visit to a doctor. The cause is probably a slight stretching of the joint structures. The knee joint is particularly prone to injuries, as it takes on the weight of the whole body. In addition, it must cushion the forces generated during walking, running or jumping. Knee pain can occur in any of us, although it occurs most often in the elderly, obese or active athletes. Disciplines such as running, football and skiing are particularly associated with injuries to the pond.
The causes of knee pain may be harmless and easy to remove, but may sometimes require professional treatment. Pain in this part of the body often appears after intensive effort involving the knee joint, e.g. after running, mountain climbing or carrying heavy objects. It may also accompany arthritis caused by excessive strain or bacterial infection. Knee pain is also associated with joint injuries such as sprain or dislocation. In more serious cases, metabolic disorders such as uric acid crystal deposition in the knee joint (the bottom of the urethane) or disturbances in the structure of the joint (osteoarthritis) may be at the root of the disease. Then the pain usually occurs in both knees and its intensity is high. In case of lighter pains, in order to reduce discomfort, we can apply treatment typically at home.
In case of knee pain we should first of all reduce or completely suspend physical activity. Continuous strain on this element of the locomotor system will hinder proper tissue regeneration and prolong the process of convalescence. Knee pain, regardless of its cause, is usually accompanied by inflammation, which additionally increases discomfort. In order to soothe it, we should use cold compresses on the painful knee several times a day. We can also reach for anti-inflammatory pharmaceuticals - non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), available without a prescription. They can be applied orally in the form of tablets or as a gel. In case of knee pain, the latter method of administration may be an alternative to tablets. Thanks to direct application at the pain site, gels containing diclofenac (NLPZ) can quickly and effectively relieve pain. Locally, we also apply much smaller doses of the drug than we take orally, which increases their safety. You can find more information about the effects of diclofenac here.
Sometimes knee pain is a symptom of more serious health problems. If knee pain is accompanied by high fever or swelling of the knee, it may indicate a bacterial infection for which antibiotic therapy will be necessary. We should not hesitate to visit a doctor if the pain is very severe, makes it difficult to walk or if we feel stiffness of the joint. After forty years of age, these ailments may indicate osteoarthritis, which, without proper treatment, may significantly reduce our mobility in the future.
