Is knee pain your ever-present companion? Or maybe you’ve just started experiencing knee pain symptoms? Either way, it’s crucial to consider where the knee hurts. It gives you clues about what’s causing knee pain and what to do about it. Knee pain medial (or medial knee pain if you prefer) should never be ignored.
It not only brings discomfort. Lack of mobility keeps you from doing what you love, which can make the pain worse over time.
Medial knee pain refers to the discomfort felt on the inner side of the knee closest to the other knee.
So, which side is the medial side of knee? Left or right? This can cause some confusion when you Google search “what causes knee pain left side” or “knee pain right side”.
Instead of thinking right or left, realize that the knees mirror each other!
This part of the knee is called “medial” because the medial collateral ligament (MCL) connects the thigh bone to the shin bone on the inner sides of each knee. If you’re experiencing knee pain inside (between your knees), this ligament is what you feel.
On the other hand, if you have knee pain on the outside, that’s lateral knee pain. You’re feeling the Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL).
Anatomy of Medial Knee Pain
Where is medial knee pain? That’s not a trick question.
It often originates as knee pain inside below the kneecap. But it can extend to the upper leg.
The pain might worsen with specific movements. So, you may have knee pain walking up stairs, knee pain on the side when bending, or medial knee pain with flexion (trying to bend your knee as far as it goes).
The inner side of your knee might be tender to touch.
To learn more about the anatomy of knee pain, here are more resources you’ll want to check out.
Sports injuries, like a medial collateral ligament injury
A sudden increase in activity without adequately preparing the body
Chances are one of the above culprits is to blame if this is a new pain.
Ongoing Inner Knee Pain
Knee pain medial can also be an ongoing issue with the musculoskeletal system, like these:
Osteoarthritis is a slow degeneration of joint tissue accompanied by a slowing repair rate as you age. While it’s associated with age, factors like excess weight (muscle or fat), lack of exercise, and poor spinal alignment can significantly hasten the degeneration an individual experiences, if any.
Torn meniscus (cartilage) may occur when the knee is not properly supported by strong leg muscles.
Pes anserine bursitis is inflammation of the fluid-filled bursa that reduces ligament friction, usually caused by improper knee alignment or weak leg muscles.
Medial plica irritation. Media plica are folds in the joint that cover the knee. The constant rubbing can cause them to thicken and become less pliable, usually caused by poor body alignment.
As you can see, it’s all connected. The musculoskeletal system is complex. When something goes wrong in one area, other tissues must overcompensate. This leads to chronic pain throughout the body.
You can learn more about how these misalignments contribute to your pain, and what we can do about it when you Schedule an initial consultation for evaluation and first treatment.
What Are the Symptoms of Knee Pain Medial?
Symptoms of inner knee pain include:
Sudden pain on the inside of the knee (injury-related)
Swelling
Knee pain inside when bending.
Bruising
Instability
Stiffness
Difficulty walking
Locking of knee joint
Feeling like your knee is going to “give out” when you stand up
Cracking in the knee
how to treat medial knee pain
Chiropractic care offers non-invasive, drug-free, and effective options for alleviating medial knee pain. We first perform a thorough examination to identify the root cause of your pain. We then apply manual techniques to adjust and manipulate the affected areas, promoting natural healing.
Treatments for Medial Knee Pain
Each chiropractic treatment plan is unique. We design one specifically to help you achieve your goals. A chiropractic treatment plan for knee pain may include:
You may think of the back when we say “chiropractor”. And we won’t diminish the importance of the back because that’s where the spine is. But chiropractors are trained in “whole body” alignment. When the mechanical issues with the body are fixed, the body can start healing itself.
Learning Proper Form
Posture is more than how you sit or stand upright. You need to move so your posture is dynamic. Every activity you perform requires posture. When you bend, lift, squat, reach, pick something up, turn, and more, you’re applying a posture technique.
If this technique is off-balance, weight is unevenly distributed. Some tissues strengthen more than others, causing misalignment. So, re-learning how to move effectively is essential.
We show you how as part of your knee pain treatment plan! And we send you home with an exercise plan to practice and strengthen supporting tissues.
Ultrasound is a well-established healing practice. We use a device to send sound waves at 800,000 Hz and 2,000,000 Hz through your knee. This can reduce swelling and promote blood flow to oxygen and nutrient-starved tissues.
Stretching for Relief
Stretches targeting the inner side of your knee can help alleviate knee pain medial. Gently stretching the muscles around the knee joint and hip can improve flexibility and reduce tension. Your Truspine chiropractor guides you with specific medial knee pain stretches that suit your condition.
Knee on Trac
Knee on TracTM is a specialized traction device we use in the office to isolate and strengthen knee tissues. It ensures your knee movements use proper form while taking the knee through a set of static and intermittent movements. This helps ensure the knee is not re-injured during exercises, while reducing any discomfort your may feel.
In the short term, our focus is reducing pain and helping your body heal. But we also want to prevent future injuries. Your inner knee pain treatment plan may include developing a training strategy to reduce your risk of future injury. Sports medicine is for everyone. Athletes and weekend warriors alike.
Getting Back to What You Love
With each treatment, you’ll feel less pain. You can move with ease and get back to activities you enjoy. This “getting back to what you love” is vital to the healing process. As you do, you’ll strengthen the surrounding muscles and other tissues to support and maintain alignment. This can provide you with long-term relief from the annoyance of knee pain.
Why Chiropractic Care for Knee Pain Is Different
Chiropractic care stands out due to its emphasis on functional healing without medications. Unlike medications that may have side effects, chiropractic treatments target the root cause of the pain.
This means that as chiropractors, we not only focus on the symptoms. We aim to identify any underlying issues contributing to your medial knee pain. This approach can lead to long-term improvement and prevention of future injuries.
Let’s fix this at the source!
Sometimes, pain in the knee can be referred from the hip. Very often, misalignments in the spine contribute to poor knee alignment.
So, we address all of it to provide whole-body pain relief, increased mobility, and improved function.
What’s more, when you choose Truspine for your chiropractic care, you get an evaluation plus your first treatment on the same day. We want to get you on the path to relief quickly.
Embracing a Life without Knee Pain
Medial knee pain shouldn’t hold you back from living your life to the fullest. With chiropractic care, you can address the pain on the inner side of your knee and regain your mobility.
If you’re struggling with knee pain on the inner side, chiropractic care provides a promising avenue for relief. By targeting the root causes of your pain, chiropractors can help you overcome discomfort and improve your overall quality of life. Say goodbye to persistent knee pain and embrace a pain-free, active lifestyle with chiropractic solutions.
Let our Truspine chiropractors get to the root cause of your knee pain. Schedule an initial consultation and get your first treatment same day!
Are you tired of living with the discomfort of osteoarthritis of the knee? Relief is possible! Chiropractic care offers a holistic approach to managing knees with osteoarthritis. Discover what this condition is and how a chiropractor can help you find relief from osteoarthritis in the knee.
Do you have knee osteoarthritis or something else? See other knee pain causes here.
What Is Osteoarthritis of the Knee?
It’s a degenerative joint disease that causes pain, stiffness, and swelling. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 32.5 million U.S. adults currently suffer from it.
It occurs when the protective cartilage in the knee gradually wears away.
Your cartilage is like a slippery surface that a bone can glide against. You don’t even feel this glide when this surface is healthy and new. It’s that smooth. But one of the first signs you are developing osteoarthritis in the knee is that you do start to feel this movement, even if you wouldn’t yet call it “pain”.
First, the layer gets rough, so your knees don’t move as well as they once did. Then it thins until you have bone-on-bone friction.
Everyone’s knees are constantly in a state of wear and repair. And as we age, the “wear” can start to outpace the “repair” and those wear patterns become uneven, allowing the bone to work through your protective cartilage layer. This wearing away of knee cartilage is known as “knee osteoarthritis”.
Common Arthritis Knee Symptoms
Do you believe you may have arthritis in knee symptoms? Then, chances are you’re experiencing these 2 or more of these knee osteoarthritis symptoms:
Pain
Aching feeling
Stiffness
Decreased knee flexibility. It may feel like it’s getting stuck before fully extending.
Swelling
The pain may come and go. And it’s possible to have it only in one knee. Some people will feel the pain in a specific place on their knee, like the front or one side.
You may notice your knee feels slightly unsteady when you try to go up or down stairs. It usually hurts more going down than when you went up.
This pain may keep you up at night as it throbs for no apparent reason, and you may feel stiff when you get out of bed. Creaking and crunchy sounds are also common symptoms of knee osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis pain is not a certainty as we age, and even after you begin experiencing symptoms, relief is possible.
Each time the cartilage renews itself, it changes shape a little based on factors like how you use it, bodily alignment, weight distribution, and nutrition. Over time, this structure alters to maximize your ability to move with the least effort.
That sounds like a good thing, doesn’t it?
But if your body isn’t correctly aligned, the wear becomes uneven. One or the other side of your knee does more work, and the musculoskeletal system it works within is also off-balance. Since wear is not evenly distributed, the bones work through the protection, and you begin to notice more arthritis knee symptoms.
This isn’t just about having good posture—or not. Alignment is a dynamic, whole-body activity that begins with the spine. If this pillar of your bodily structure is off-balance, everything else will try to adapt, and you have knee osteoarthritis.
This spinal misalignment is the root cause of knee osteoarthritis. The only way to find lasting knee pain relief is by getting to the root of the problem.
The Chiropractor’s Approach to Osteoarthritis in the Knee
When it comes to managing osteoarthritis in knee joints, we take a personalized and comprehensive approach because, as you can see, the location of the osteoarthritis and how it’s impacting you can vary.
Our goal is to help you experience knee pain relief quickly and improve function while we focus on the longer-term solution of stopping that uneven wear so the repair can outpace the wear again. To do that, we must develop a personalized plan to realign your musculoskeletal system and strengthen the muscles and connective tissues around your knee joint.
To get to the root cause of pain and discomfort, schedule an initial consultation, including a comprehensive knee pain evaluation and first Knee on Trac treatment.
What a Knee Pain Treatment Plan Looks Like
Depending on your knee pain causes and other factors, your plan may include:
Manual Adjustments: Chiropractors use gentle, controlled movements to realign the knee joint, reducing stress on affected areas.
Joint Mobilization: The chiropractor employs techniques to improve joint mobility and decrease stiffness in the knee.
Therapeutic Exercises: Weakness in the supportive structures around the joint puts extra strain on the cartilage, amplifying pain and the wear rate. Customized exercise programs in the office and at home can strengthen the knee muscles, providing better support to the joint. This promotes better alignment and creates an environment where the joint can heal.
Nutritional Guidance: A chiropractor may offer dietary recommendations to support joint health and reduce inflammation.
Knee on Trac: A knee pain therapy that involves a specialized machine that gently takes your knee through its range of motion or holds your knee in a specific position over a session to restore function
Acupuncture:A non-invasive ancient Chinese technique that uses tiny single-use needles to reduce pain and inflammation for up to a few days while increasing blood flow to promote healing. This gives you time to perform exercises and treatments to realign and strengthen tissues for longer-term results.
Shockwave Therapy: A therapy that uses a specialized machine to send acoustic waves that target tissue at various depths to compress and manipulate them. Like acupuncture, this can also reduce inflammation and pain while improving blood flow to promote healing.
Ultrasound Therapy: A therapy involving a specialized machine that sends sound waves between 800,000 Hz and 2,000,000 Hz into tissues. This causes tissues to vibrate, increasing blood flow and reducing inflammation.
How Chiropractic Care Helps
It’s non-invasive. Chiropractic care offers a non-surgical and drug-free approach to managing knee osteoarthritis.
You can have pain relief now while we restore function and mobility. Through gentle adjustments and targeted therapies, chiropractic treatments can alleviate knee pain.
Get your mobility back. Chiropractic techniques help restore flexibility and range of motion in knees with osteoarthritis.
Take back your quality of life. By addressing the underlying causes of knee pain, chiropractic care can improve your daily functioning and overall well-being.
To learn more about whether chiropractic therapies may relieve your knee pain, check out other knee pain causes.
To get to the root cause of this pain and find lasting relief, schedule an initial consultation, including a comprehensive knee evaluation, treatment plan, and an initial adjustment and/or knee on Trac treatment.
Prevention and Self-Care Tips for Knee Osteoarthritis
Work Toward and Maintain a Healthy Weight: Excess weight puts additional stress on the knees, contributing to arthritis symptoms. The closer you can get to and stay at a healthy weight, the better your knees will feel and perform.
Stay Active: Engage in low-impact exercises like swimming and walking to keep your knees moving without excessive strain. It may seem counterintuitive, but the worst thing you can do when experiencing knee pain is stop moving. Lack of movement will weaken supportive structures even more.
Use Assistive Devices: Knee braces or orthotics can support and reduce discomfort during daily activities. But it’s important not to think of braces as a long-term solution since your body can become dependent on them, worsening the wear over time.
Living With Osteoarthritis Of The Knee
To say it’s challenging would be an understatement. For most, being able to walk without pain means freedom, independence, and getting the most out of life. But you don’t have to endure the pain alone. With the help of a skilled chiropractor, you can find relief and improve your quality of life. Seek professional chiropractic care, follow self-care tips, and take control of your knees with osteoarthritis today.
Remember, the journey to managing osteoarthritis in the knees starts with a single step toward a chiropractic solution. To get to the root cause of this pain and find lasting relief, schedule an initial consultation, including a comprehensive knee evaluation, treatment plan, and an initial adjustment and/or Knee on Trac treatment.
Meniscus injuries can be painful and limit your mobility. But did you know that a chiropractor can play a significant role in your recovery? Whether you’re dealing with a lateral meniscus tear or any other meniscus injury, working with a chiropractor is a non-invasive and effective approach to alleviate pain and promote healing.
How Do Meniscus Injuries Happen?
Meniscus injuries, including lateral meniscus tears, can occur due to sudden twists or impacts on the knee joint. It’s true that mild to moderate meniscus tears can heal “on their own”. But this rarely happens with without some form of care because you will keep re-injuring it, making it worse.
If left untreated, as it gets injured again and again, it begins to significantly impact your daily activities and overall quality of life.
Types of Meniscus Injuries
A meniscus is a C-shaped pad made of cartilage on either side of your knee. It works as a shock absorber. There are two main types of meniscus injuries: medial and lateral.
The medial meniscus, located on the inner side of the knee joint, is more commonly injured. The lateral meniscus, positioned on the outer side of the knee joint, is less frequently injured.
Both kinds cause similar meniscal injury symptoms:
Pain
Swelling
Stiffness
Limited mobility
Difficulty straightening or bending the knee
Popping or clicking sensations during knee movement
Both types of meniscus injuries can range from minor tears to severe and complex tears. The severity and location of the tear within the meniscus play a significant role in determining the appropriate treatment approach.
For the vast majority of injuries, a therapeutic approach, such as chiropractic care is your best option. Only in severe cases, surgical intervention may be necessary to repair or remove the damaged portion of the meniscus. Either way, prompt diagnosis and treatment are essential for optimal recovery and to prevent further complications.
How a Chiropractor Helps Meniscus Injuries (3 Steps)
Chiropractors utilize a holistic approach to treat meniscus injuries and address their underlying causes.
1. Chiropractic Assessment
A medial or lateral meniscus tear can cause excruciating pain. So, we share your sense of urgency to stop the pain and restore function. Those are our two primary goals.
To this end, a chiropractor will conduct a thorough evaluation to identify the exact nature and extent of your lateral meniscus injury. It involves imaging to look inside and identify where the tear is and how bad it is. It also involves a gentle manual assessment of “where it hurts”. This assessment helps your chiropractor develop a customized treatment plan.
To get to the root cause of this pain and find lasting relief, schedule an initial consultation, including a comprehensive knee evaluation, treatment plan, and an initial adjustment and/or treatment.
2. Relieving Lateral Meniscus Pain
After the assessment, one of the first things your Truspine chiropractor will want to do—and we think you’ll agree—is to take action to reduce pain levels quickly. We’ll develop a plan to provide quick but short-term relief. This short-term relief gives us a window to start working on therapies that, over time, can improve musculoskeletal alignment, restore functionality, and promote healing for long-term results.
When you’re suffering from a meniscus injury, restoring mobility and functionality are crucial. Chiropractors employ various techniques, such as mobilization and soft tissue therapies, to restore joint motion, improve muscle strength, and enhance overall knee function.
Your chiropractor will guide you through corrective exercises during your appointment. We also prescribe specific exercises to strengthen the muscles surrounding the knee joint. These exercises help stabilize the joint, enhance flexibility, and promote long-term recovery.
Be sure to check out other knee pain causes that this comprehensive chiropractic strategy can help.
Natural Healing without Surgery
Chiropractic care provides a non-surgical and drug-free alternative for meniscus injuries. By addressing the underlying causes of the injury and promoting natural healing processes, chiropractors help patients avoid invasive procedures and potential side effects.
If you’re suffering from a lateral meniscus tear or any other meniscus injury, chiropractic care can be a valuable treatment option. With our expertise in musculoskeletal health, we can provide personalized care to alleviate pain, restore mobility, and improve overall well-being. Don’t let meniscus injuries hold you back—seek the help of a chiropractor to regain control of your life. To get to the root cause of this pain and find lasting relief,schedule an initial consultation, including a full knee evaluation and an adjustment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will walking on a torn meniscus make it worse?
Walking on a torn meniscus can potentially worsen the injury and cause increased pain or further damage.
Will meniscus injuries heal on their own?
A meniscus tear may not heal on its own as the blood supply to the meniscus is limited, and the healing potential depends on the tear type, location, and individual factors.
How long does a meniscus tear take to heal?
The healing time for a meniscus tear can vary depending on factors such as the severity of the tear, treatment approach, and individual healing ability. It can take several weeks to several months.
Can a meniscus tear heal without surgery?
In some cases, a meniscus tear can heal without surgery, particularly for small tears on the outer edge of the meniscus. However, larger tears or tears in the inner part of the meniscus are less likely to heal without surgical intervention.
Can meniscus pain come and go?
Yes, meniscus pain can come and go, particularly if the tear is unstable or if the person engages in activities that aggravate the injury. Symptoms may vary over time.
Which meniscus injuries are more common?
The medial meniscus, located on the inner side of the knee joint, is more commonly injured than the lateral meniscus, which is on the outer side of the knee joint.
Is a torn meniscus a permanent injury?
A torn meniscus can be a permanent injury, especially if it does not heal properly or if surgical intervention is required. However, with appropriate treatment and rehabilitation, many individuals can find relief and regain functionality.
Be sure to check out other knee pain causes that this comprehensive chiropractic strategy can help. And You can learn more about how these misalignments contribute to your pain, and what we can do about it when you Schedule an initial consultation for evaluation and first treatment.
For many, walking without pain equals freedom, independence, and the ability to continue doing what you love. So when you’re dealing with knee pain causes, it can really put a damper on your day-to-day activities, not to mention your mental state.
If a knee pain x-ray comes back normal, you may jump to the conclusion that it’s arthritis, a “natural sign of aging”. But there are joint pain causes other than arthritis. And contrary to popular belief, arthritis is not “natural”. It’s a sign that something else is going on.
In this article, we’ll explore knee pain possible causes and symptoms. We’ll look at what’s really happening to your knees. And we’ll explore practical steps you can take right now to start experiencing knee pain relief and regaining proper knee function.
Demystifying the Causes of Knee Pain
1. Age-related Wear and Tear
As you get older, your knee joints may start to show signs of wear and tear. This is often due to a condition called osteoarthritis. With this condition, the protective cushioning between your joints wears down. Think of it like the shock absorbers in a car wearing out over time. This can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling in your knees.
While this is a common occurrence as you age, the rate of “wear and tear” you experience is within your control. Strategies like maintaining proper body alignment and maintaining a healthy level of physical activity can slow its progression.
Is your knee pain an inevitable sign of “natural” aging? Schedule a knee pain assessment to find out! Get a consultation plus your first treatment.
2. Overuse and Repetitive Movements
Engaging in activities that stress your knees, like running, jumping, or squatting, can lead to overuse injuries. When you repeat these movements repeatedly without proper rest or conditioning, your knee joints can become strained. This is one of the common causes of knee pain when squatting.
It’s like you’re repeatedly bending a wire until it starts to weaken and fray, eventually causing pain and inflammation.
This doesn’t mean you have to avoid these activities altogether.
Many people start an intense new exercise routine without realizing that the body needs time to adjust. Or they perform the activity without knowing the proper form. Muscles and connective tissues need time to strengthen. This is especially true as we age.
So, now what?
If you’re already experienced signs of this knee pain cause, here are some things that can help:
Have your knees evaluated by a professional
Get the inflammation down
Start a home exercise routine to strengthen your lower body. Ease into this new activity.
Consider chiropractic care to ensure spinal alignment and improve your form
3. Excess Weight
Whether you’re carrying some extra fat weight or muscle, this excess can put a significant burden on your knees, causing knee pain. Imagine your knees as pillars holding up a structure. Pillars are designed to hold up a set amount of weight. When you add too much weight to the structure, the pillars can start to buckle under the pressure.
Similarly, the excess weight stresses your knee joints, leading to pain and increased risk of osteoarthritis.
Participating in sports that involve sudden stops, changes in direction, or collisions can increase the chances of sustaining a knee injury. These injuries often involve damage to the ligaments that hold your knee together, like the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
These ligaments are like sturdy ropes that stabilize your knee joint. When they’re torn or damaged, they can cause intense pain and instability.
5. Muscle Imbalances
Your knee joint relies on a delicate balance of muscles and tendons to function properly. Sometimes, certain muscles may become stronger or tighter than others, leading to imbalances.
These imbalances can cause the kneecap to track incorrectly, leading to pain and discomfort. It’s like a tug of war between muscles, where one side pulls harder, throwing off the alignment.
Sometimes, knee pain causes back pain. Whenever you have an imbalance in one part of the body, others will try to offset it. So, they experience their own tug-of-war.
Imbalances in the spine, hips, and even the ankles can all become knee pain causes. They often need to be treated together to regain natural, fluid movement from top to bottom. That leads us to the next of the common knee pain causes.
6. Poor Posture and Alignment
Having good posture and proper alignment is crucial for maintaining healthy knees. When your posture is off, or your joints are misaligned, it can create an uneven distribution of force on your knees.
Imagine a building with a crooked foundation. The walls and floors become strained. They develop cracks. Similarly, poor alignment can put excessive stress on your knee joints. The result? Pain and potential damage!
7. Joint Inflammation
Inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis can lead to chronic knee pain. Inflammation is like a fire within your joints, causing redness, swelling, and pain.
Inflammation gets a bad rap. But it’s the body’s natural defense mechanisms trying to send help to your joints when it senses they’re in distress.
Unfortunately, the immune system sometimes goes into overdrive, attacking the joints by mistake. This ongoing inflammation can erode the protective cartilage in your knees, leading to persistent pain and stiffness.
A sudden twisting or turning motion can cause a tear in the meniscus. This is a rubbery cartilage that acts as a cushion between your thighbone and shinbone.
Think of the meniscus as a shock-absorbing sponge. When it tears, it disrupts the smooth movement of your knee joint, resulting in pain, swelling, and sometimes a locking or catching sensation.
If you’re wondering what causes sudden knee pain and stiffness? This could be it!
Knee pain meniscus symptoms include:
Pain when rotating
Pain when running or walking for a long time
Limited range of motion
Popping sounds during movement
Locked knee
Fluid on the knee
9. Bursitis
When you overuse your knees or experience direct trauma, the bursae (small fluid-filled sacs) in your knee joint can become inflamed, leading to pain and swelling. The best thing you can do is take it easy and avoid activities that worsen the pain.
But it’s also important to keep the joints moving with gentle movements so it doesn’t lock up. Guided exercises with a professional can help.
10. Patellar Tendinitis
If you frequently engage in activities like running or jumping, you might experience patellar tendinitis. This happens when the tendon connecting your kneecap to your shinbone becomes irritated and inflamed.
11. Iliotibial (IT) Band Syndrome
Do you feel pain in the outer part of your knee? Outer knee pain causes an IT band irritation called iliotibial band syndrome.
This fibrous tissue, running from your hip to your knee, can become inflamed from repetitive friction. Stretching and strengthening exercises can help alleviate the discomfort.
12. Knee Osteochondritis Dissecans
Sometimes, a small piece of bone and cartilage within your knee joint can lose its blood supply, causing pain. Be mindful of this condition if you’re a younger athlete as its one of the more common joint pain causes among young adults. But if you engage in activities that stress your knees at any age you could develop it.
13. Gout
Experiencing sudden and intense knee pain? It could be gout. Gout is among joint pain dietary causes. Poor diet can cause excess uric acid crystals build up in your joints, including the knee, leading to severe pain, redness, and swelling. Too much red and cured meats are your most likely culprits but fermented foods and seafood can also contribute. All are full of purine when breaks down into uric acid.
Stay hydrated, limit purine-rich foods, and consult a healthcare professional for proper management.
14. Infections
While it’s rare, infections can cause knee pain. If you have an open wound, recent surgery, or notice signs of infection such as warmth, redness, and extreme pain, seek immediate medical attention. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are essential to prevent further complications.
15. Genetic Factors
Sometimes, genetics can play a role in knee problems and chronic pain. Inherited conditions or abnormalities in joint structure may make your knees more vulnerable to injury or degeneration.
16. Improper Footwear
Wearing shoes without proper support or an incorrect fit can contribute to knee pain. Your knees need stability and alignment. Choose shoes that provide adequate cushioning, arch support, and a comfortable fit to minimize stress on your knee joints.
17. Traumatic Injuries
Accidents happen, and direct impacts, falls, or sudden twists can cause traumatic knee injuries like fractures or dislocations. If you experience severe pain, swelling, or visible deformities after such an incident, seek immediate medical attention for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
18. Osgood-Schlatter Disease
If you’re an active teenager, you may be at risk of Osgood-Schlatter disease. This overuse injury can cause pain and swelling just below your kneecap. Resting, avoiding activities that worsen the pain, and doing gentle exercises recommended by a healthcare professional can help alleviate symptoms.
The Root Cause of Most Knee Pain
What Causes Knee Pain?
Believe it or not, the root cause of most knee pain lies in the alignment of your spine. Not all, but many of the above conditions (including those we think of as “age-related” like arthritis and chronic inflammation) start because your body’s core (the spine) isn’t on track.
Your spine acts as the central support structure for your entire body, and when it is misaligned, it can create a chain reaction of imbalances throughout your musculoskeletal system. This misalignment can lead to altered weight distribution, increased stress on your knee joints, and abnormal movement patterns, resulting in knee pain.
A chiropractor is a healthcare professional specializing in diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal conditions, including knee pain. They use their hands or specialized tools to apply gentle pressure and manipulations to your body, helping to restore proper alignment and function.
Chiropractic Care for Knee Pain
The human body is like a complex machine with many interconnected parts. Your knees, for example, are not isolated entities but are influenced by the alignment and movement of other joints and muscles. A chiropractor looks at your body as a whole and examines how various factors might contribute to your knee pain.
Addressing Spinal Alignment
For example, if your hips or pelvis are not properly aligned, it can put uneven pressure on your knees, leading to pain and discomfort. A chiropractor can use manual adjustments to realign these areas, reducing the stress on your knees and improving their function.
Correcting Muscle Imbalances
Another way a chiropractor can help is by addressing muscle imbalances. If certain muscles are too tight or weak, it can affect the alignment and movement of your knees, leading to pain.
We all get used to doing things a certain way. And the human body naturally tries to take the path of least resistance. Unfortunately, this leads to the strengthening of certain muscles while others remain weak, resulting in strain and overcompensation when you need to use that weaker muscle. A chiropractor can prescribe specific exercises or stretches to help rebalance and strengthen these muscles, supporting your knees and reducing pain.
Assessing Knee Pain Causes & If Chiropractic Care Can Help
It’s important to note that while chiropractic care can be beneficial for many individuals with knee pain, there are certain cases where it may not be the most appropriate treatment option. For example, if your knee pain is due to a severe injury, fracture, or infection, you may require more specialized medical care. A chiropractor will assess your condition and, if necessary, refer you to the appropriate healthcare professional.
Comprehensive Knee Pain Relief Strategies
Furthermore, a chiropractor can employ other therapeutic techniques to alleviate knee pain. This may include nutrition guidance, shockwave therapy, Knee on Trac, and acupuncture. These methods can help reduce inflammation, promote healing, and provide relief while ongoing chiropractic visits can help your musculoskeletal system obtain and retain proper alignment.
Let’s take a quick look at some of the other Integrative health approaches your Truspine Chiropractor may recommend to alleviate knee pain. Reach out to schedule a consultation and get your first treatment.
Nutrition for Knee Pain
Did you know your eating habits can impact your knee health and pain levels? It’s true! Proper nutrition is crucial in supporting your joints and reducing inflammation, which can alleviate knee pain.
Omega 3
One essential nutrient for maintaining healthy knees is omega-3 fatty acids. Studies have found that Omega-3 can reduce inflammation and relieve “tender” joints. These healthy fats can be found in foods like salmon, walnuts, and flaxseeds. Omega-3s have anti-inflammatory properties, helping to reduce swelling and pain in your knees.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is also important. This vitamin is known for its role in collagen formation, which is a key component of healthy cartilage. Citrus fruits, strawberries, and broccoli are excellent sources of Vitamin C.
Turmeric
Along the same note, the Journal of Medical Food published a systematic review of joint pain studies and controlled clinical trials involving the spice Turmeric. This spice is common in many world cuisines, including Indian, Thai, Malay, and Japanese. Adding this spice to your meals, smoothies, or coffee may support your knee pain relief goals.
Supporting Healthy Weight with Nutrition
Additionally, maintaining a healthy weight through proper nutrition is essential for knee health. As we discussed, excess weight puts additional strain on your knees, increasing the risk of pain and conditions like osteoarthritis. By adopting a balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains, you can support your knees and promote overall joint health.
Working with the Truspine team, you can learn more about nutrition and stay motivated to eat foods that support healthy joints and whole body health.
Acupuncture for Knee Pain
Chances are you’ve heard of acupuncture by now. It’s an ancient Chinese practice that involves the insertion of thin needles into specific points on the body. Believe it or not, acupuncture can actually help alleviate knee pain!
In acupuncture, the belief is that when these specific points are stimulated, it can restore the balance of energy flow throughout your body. Regarding knee pain, acupuncture can help by promoting blood circulation to the area, reducing inflammation, and triggering the release of natural pain-relieving chemicals in your body.
With that said, acupuncture works best for short-term relief. It should be combined with chiropractic care that gets to the root cause (spinal misalignment) that is likely to cause extra stress on your knees. When you realign your musculoskeletal system, you support your body’s natural ability to heal those joints for more lasting relief.
The process of acupuncture itself is relatively painless. The needles are incredibly thin. Most people report minimal to no discomfort during the treatment. Many individuals find acupuncture to be a relaxing and therapeutic experience.
Shockwave Therapy for Knee Pain
Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment option that can relieve knee pain. This therapy uses high-energy sound waves to stimulate healing and reduce knee pain.
When the shockwave device is applied to the affected area, it delivers controlled energy pulses. These pulses stimulate your body’s natural healing response by increasing blood flow, promoting tissue regeneration, and reducing knee inflammation.
Shockwave therapy is typically performed in several sessions, each lasting about 10-15 minutes. The number of sessions you’ll need will depend on the severity of your knee pain, your body’s response to the treatment, and how you’re progressing with other therapies like chiropractic.
One of the benefits of shockwave therapy is that it is non-invasive, meaning there are no incisions or needles involved. It is generally well-tolerated and has minimal side effects.
However, it’s important to note that shockwave therapy may not be suitable for everyone. Individuals with certain medical conditions or who are pregnant should consult with their healthcare provider before undergoing this treatment.
The licensed professionals at Truspine can evaluate your condition, determine if you’re a good candidate, and provide the appropriate treatment plan for your specific needs.
Ultrasound Therapy for Knee Pain
Have you ever wondered how ultrasound technology can be used to treat knee pain? Well, wonder no more! Ultrasound therapy is a non-invasive treatment option to help alleviate knee pain and promote healing. Physical therapists, chiropractors, and medical doctors commonly use it because it works.
Ultrasound therapy involves using high-frequency sound waves that penetrate deep into the tissues of your knee. These sound waves create a gentle heat within the targeted area, promoting increased blood circulation, relaxing tight muscles, and reducing pain and inflammation.
The procedure is painless and typically takes only a few minutes. A healthcare professional will apply a gel to your knee and then move a handheld device, called an ultrasound transducer, over the area. You may feel a warm sensation during the treatment, but it should not be uncomfortable.
The benefits of ultrasound therapy for knee pain are numerous. It can help to decrease swelling, improve flexibility and range of motion, and accelerate the healing process by promoting the delivery of nutrients to the affected area. Ultrasound therapy is often used in conjunction with other treatment modalities to maximize its effectiveness.
Therapies like this temporarily provide relief, allowing you to perform manual or guided exercises to strengthen the surrounding muscles and tissues for more lasting results.
Knee on Trac
Knee on TracTM is a specialized traction device that isolates the knee and takes it through targeted movements using proper. This strengthen knee tissues to support good knee alignment and retrained the knee to function more effectively going forward. Through continued treatments it can:
Increase range of motion
Reduce swelling
Improve oxygen and nutrient delivery to deprived cells
Effective Treatment and Prevention for Most Knee Pain Causes
Remember: if you’ve had knee surgery, post-operative complications such as infections, blood clots, or poor healing can cause pain, you need medical care. Follow your surgeon’s instructions, attend follow-up appointments, and report any concerns promptly. The therapies discussed here are not an alternative to medical care.
With that said, knee pain causes are most often mechanical in nature. Fixing how your body moves can stop the pain and further damage (depending on the cause). In many cases, you won’t need surgery.
Understanding these causes of knee pain empowers you to take better care of your knees, seek appropriate treatment, and make lifestyle adjustments to prevent further discomfort.
The team of licensed professionals at Truspine would like to support you through that journey. We can evaluate if mechanical factors like misalignments, imbalances, or muscle weakness are among your knee pain causes and develop a plan to reduce the pain and keep you moving and enjoying what you love. Reach out to schedule a knee pain assessment and even get your first Knee on Trac treatment.
FAQs about Knee Pain Causes
What causes sudden knee pain and stiffness?
Sudden knee pain and stiffness can be caused by acute injuries such as ligament sprains, meniscus tears, or muscle strains.
What is the most common cause of knee pain?
The most common cause of knee pain is osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease that results in the breakdown of cartilage. Other common causes of knee pain include overuse injuries, ligament tears, and tendonitis. It’s important to remember that these don’t just happen. Something caused it. That something is often another cause we’ve discussed, like spinal misalignment, overuse, and underuse. Yes. Sitting and lying around a lot leads to a lot a knee pain.
Chiropractic care can reduce the pain experienced from these by getting to the root cause and helping you strengthen and align supportive structures to reduce inflammation and pain.
What causes knee pain and swelling?
Knee pain and swelling can be caused by various factors such as injuries, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, or infection.
What makes your knees hurt?
Several factors can contribute to knee pain, including overuse, repetitive strain, improper form during physical activities, muscle imbalances, excess weight, or structural abnormalities in the knee joint.
What causes knee pain when bending?
Knee pain when bending can be caused by conditions such as meniscus tears or arthritis.
What causes knee pain on the side?
Knee pain on the side can be attributed to conditions like iliotibial band syndrome, lateral collateral ligament (LCL) injury, or meniscus tears. A thorough evaluation can help identify the specific cause and determine if chiropractic care can reduce knee pain.
What causes knee pain when running?
Knee pain when running can be caused by several factors, including overuse injuries like patellofemoral pain syndrome, IT band syndrome, or stress fractures. Evaluating running technique (including spinal alignment), wearing proper footwear, and gradually increasing intensity can help prevent running-related knee pain.
Can knee pain be caused by obesity?
Yes, whether it’s made of muscle or fat, excess weight puts additional stress on the knee joints, increasing the risk of knee pain and conditions like osteoarthritis.
Are sports-related injuries a common cause of knee pain?
Yes, sports-related injuries, such as ligament and meniscal tears, are common causes of knee pain, especially in activities involving sudden stops or changes in direction. Your Truspine chiropractor can perform imaging tests to evaluate the cause of your knee pain and build a plan that supports your healing process.
Can improper footwear cause knee pain?
Yes, wearing shoes without adequate support or a proper fit can contribute to knee pain by altering your gait and placing additional stress on the knees.
Can knee pain be caused by muscle imbalances?
Yes, muscle imbalances, where certain muscles are stronger or tighter than others, can affect the alignment and movement of the knees, leading to pain.
A common misconception about chiropractic care is that the practice isn’t an authentic medical treatment. I would like to set the record straight by saying that chiropractors are designated as physician-level providers. This means that they are medically trained to treat disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system.
The ACA estimates that chiropractors treat more than 35 million Americans annually for a range of health concerns. Three in every group of four people describe chiropractic care as very effective. What top health concerns are among those that ail the general population, and how do chiropractic adjustments address these? Keep reading to find out.
Who Should I See For Back Pain?
Your first choice should be to look for a non-surgical treatment that focuses on spinal manipulation and mobilization. We now know that chiropractic adjustments can restore the mobility of joints that get restricted due to tissue injury. As we’ve previously discussed in A Blessing for Back Pain Relief, this tackles the root of the problem of back pain — which can be either a stuck joint, a muscle sprain, or a strain.
An estimated 40% of Americans with lower back pain or more than 7.7 million people would rather see a chiropractor than a medical doctor. This is because the latter’s specialty would be the management of pain through the prescription of muscle relaxers, pain relievers, and inflammatory reducers. The former enables our body’s self-healing process without medication or surgery.
Experts have found that smoking contributes to lower back pain. Chiropractors encourage their patients to quit smoking to manage body pain and much more. Additionally, Tobacco Free Life explains that the knock-on effect resulting from back pain and poor posture encourages smoking for stress relief. Addressing back pain medically, therefore, will reduce stress and discourage smoking behavior.
The effect isn’t direct, of course. However, when combined with evidence-based approaches to quitting smoking, it can be easier to avoid relying on cigarettes. Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT)—like the nicotine patch, gum, and lozenge—is proven to increase your chances of quitting. Prilla notes nicotine pouch use is growing throughout the US as a discrete means to consume nicotine in moderation. This smokeless “modern oral nicotine category” similar to nicotine gums and patches can be used in public spaces like the office where back pain tends to flare up.
Chiropractic adjustments can help you get rid of back pain that leads to nicotine cravings. Thus, slowly decreasing the reliance on nicotine.
To get to the root cause of pain and discomfort, schedule an initial consultation, including a comprehensive evaluation and first treatment.
Obesity
Another epidemic in the US is the growing rate of obese adults and children. Surprisingly for most, chiropractic treatment addresses this in different ways by tackling the root cause. By not simply treating symptoms, it seeks to prevent future weight gain.
First is by moderating communication between the brain and the digestive tract, through spinal manipulation. This regulates the physical appetite for food while simultaneously reducing body and back pain due to excess weight.
Otherwise, Gym Trends 365 emphasizes that chiropractic care improves athletic performance by making daily movement more comfortable. This encourages exercise and other physical activity, which many obese people with pain tend to shy away from. The resulting production of serotonin can then induce a cycle of healthy diet and exercise habits.
As a form of holistic care, chiropractic treatment doesn’t just care for a current issue in isolation. A traditional chiropractor looks at a patient’s whole body and how everything interacts. This holistic view shows them how body pain can have a cyclical relationship with things like obesity or smoking behaviors. They should thus be treated together and not separately.
Whether it’s your brain, muscles, nerves, skin, or even your emotions, chiropractic treatment aims to keep every part working so that you can feel better. For more information on chiropractic care, check out our other blog posts at Truspine.
To get to the root cause of pain and discomfort, schedule an initial consultation, including a comprehensive evaluation and first treatment.
Knee pain happens when something turns out badly with your knee joints and muscles surrounding the knee. As a rule, this happens due to meniscus damage or tendonitis with possible overuse. Exercising is important for any person’s overall good health. However, for people with moderate or severe Knee pain, we recommend an SF chiropractor’s assessment first.
Iliotibial band syndrome (sometimes called ITB Syndrome or ITBS) is a common runner’s condition. It can account for up to 22% of the overuse injuries in runners, caused by repeated trauma rather than a specific incident.
Knee pain is a pain localized in or around the knee. The pain usually is anterior, which means it’s felt at the front of the knee. But the pain also may be felt at the sides, back or along the joint line of the knee.
It is common pain and can occur suddenly or over a period of time, often difficult to pinpoint or describe it, and can affect people of all ages. Numerous things can cause knee pain, such as cartilage tear, ligament tear, arthritis or muscle problems.
