Do you know?

{knees are the largest and strongest joints in our bodies. The knees joins the thigh bone (femur) to the shin bone (tibia). The smaller bone that runs alongside the tibia(fibula) and the kneecap(patella) are the other bones that makes the knee joint.}

Pain in and around the knee caused either due to disease of knee joint or due to soft tissue involvement. Knee pain is not always related to an underlying condition. It may be caused by: injury, fracture, over use, sitting for long hours.

Knee pain in young adults

A common cause of knee pain in young adults is where the kneecap(patella) and cartilage in the joint is affected by imbalances in the muscles surrounding the knee. The medical term that describes this is PATELLOFEMORAL PAIN SYNDROME.

SYMPTOMS OF PATELLOFEMORAL PAIN SYNDROME

  • PAIN:- The pain is felt in the front of your knee, around and behind the kneecap. it can sometime be quite severe and everyday movements like walking, up and down stairs can make it worse. it can also cause a dull ache, for example after you've been sitting for a long time. the pain often makes it difficult to kneel or squats. it's often aggravated by running and therefore frequently occurs during or after sport.
  • CREPITUS- Changes in the surface of the cartilage can produce a scratching or grafting sensation from the kneecap.which you may be able to hear when you bend or straighten your knee. crepitus doesn't often cause pain.

CAUSES OF PATELLOFEMORAL PAIN SYNDROME

  • Weakness or imbalance in the thigh or buttock muscles.
  • Tight hamstrings (the muscles at the backs of your thighs)
  • Short ligaments around the kneecap.
  • Problems with weight bearing and alignment through the feet.

An imbalance in the muscles surrounding your knee puts pressure on the kneecap and cartilage within the joint. 

WHAT IS THE OUTLOOK?

The outlook is very good. in most cases the knee will get better by itself, without needing any specific treatment. there is no link between this kind of knee pain and generalised arthritis later on in life.

HOW DO YOU STOP KNEE PAIN AT YOUNG AGE?

very often, knee pain in younger patients can be treated with conservative options, like:

  • Resting the knee
  • Avoiding strenuous activities
  • applying ice 
  • Taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines
  • Physical therapy and stretching exercises to "re-balance" the knee

Depending on your symptoms and your activity level, you might also benefit from:


  • Making sure you wear footwear that's designed for your specific sport or activity
  • Making sure you warm up thoroughly before any sport or activity
  • sticking to a regular exercise routine to keep your knee muscles strong and flexible
  • Avoiding activities that causes pain in your knees
  • Paying attention to early signs of pain to avoid "overdoing it"