Knee Pain Symptoms

Knee pain can significantly impact daily activities and overall quality of life, affecting individuals of all ages. Arthritis of the knee occurs when knee joint cartilage breaks down, causing your bones to rub together, leading to various symptoms. This condition can also be referred to as knee osteoarthritis.

While many of these symptoms can be managed with self-care, physical therapy, or medication, some may require advanced intervention. When conservative treatment fails to provide relief, minimally invasive options like Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE) can offer a promising solution.

Common Knee Osteoarthritis Symptoms Include:

• Aching or Throbbing Pain
• Swelling or Tenderness
• Stiffness
• Loss of Flexibility and Stability
• Locking and popping
• Range of Motion

If you experience any of the above symptoms of knee pain, consult with a knee specialist to learn how treatment can help you find relief.

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Experiencing persistent knee pain or related symptoms shouldn’t be ignored. While it’s common to brush off discomfort as a minor issue, ongoing knee pain can signal an underlying condition that may worsen without proper care. Symptoms like aching pain, swelling, loss of flexibility and others are indications to seek help from a knee pain specialist.

Seeking care from a specialized pain center is the best way to understand the root cause of your pain and explore effective treatment options. Early intervention can help manage symptoms and prevent further complications, allowing you to regain control of your daily activities.

Aching or Throbbing Pain

Persistent pain in the knee can be a debilitating condition that significantly impacts quality of life. When traditional treatments like physical therapy, medication, or injections fail to provide adequate relief, it may be indicative of a more complex underlying issue. In such cases, Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE) could be a viable treatment option.

Persistent knee pain can manifest in various ways, often depending on the underlying cause. Here are some common symptoms and sensations associated with chronic knee pain:

• Aching or dull pain: This is a common type of knee pain that can be persistent and may worsen with activity.
• Sharp pain: Some individuals experience sharp, stabbing pains in the knee, particularly when moving the joint or putting weight on it.
• Burning sensation: A burning sensation in the knee is another common symptom, often associated with inflammation.

It’s important to note that these symptoms can vary in intensity and frequency and may be accompanied by other symptoms such as weakness, instability, or numbness. If you’re experiencing persistent knee pain, it’s advisable to consult with a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

Is knee pain serious?

While many cases of knee pain can be managed at home, it’s important to consult with a knee pain specialist if:

• Pain is persistent or severe
• Pain is coupled with swelling or stiffness
• Pain is coupled with popping or grating sensation

If any of these factors affect you, schedule a consultation with one of our knee pain specialists to determine the cause of your pain and determine the best treatment plan for your unique needs.

Swelling or Tenderness

Swelling due to knee osteoarthritis can generally feel like fullness or puffiness in the knee joint and will most likely be visible. This swelling can make your knee more tender and sensitive to touch and pressure.

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition that often leads to inflammation in the knee joint. This inflammation can cause swelling and tenderness.

The formation of bone spurs, or bony growths, can cause pressure on the joint and lead to swelling and tenderness.

This swelling is often caused by increased fluid production in the knee joint, which can be a result of inflammation or damage to the cartilage. Tenderness occurs when the swollen joint is touched or pressed, indicating sensitivity to pressure.

These symptoms can be uncomfortable and affect daily activities by restricting the knee’s range of motion, making it difficult to bend or straighten the joint.

Treating Swelling and Tenderness Caused by Knee Osteoarthritis

While you cannot treat knee osteoarthritis at home, here are some options to help you manage knee swelling and tenderness.

• Rest and ice: Resting the affected knee and applying ice for 15-20 minutes several times a day can help reduce swelling and pain.
• Compression: Wearing a compression bandage or brace can help support the knee and reduce swelling.
• Elevation: Elevating the knee above heart level can help reduce swelling.
• Warmth: Applying heat, such as a heating pad or warm compress, can help soothe pain and improve circulation.
• Over-the-counter pain relievers: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen can help reduce pain and inflammation.

If home remedies do not provide adequate relief or if your symptoms worsen, it’s important to consult with a healthcare professional. A knee pain specialist can accurately diagnose your condition and recommend appropriate treatment options.

Stiffness

Knee stiffness from osteoarthritis can feel like rigidness or difficulty moving the joint, especially when waking up or after being inactive. This stiffness may return when the knee rests, making it hard to fully bend or straighten the knee

• Morning stiffness: A common symptom is a feeling of stiffness upon waking, often referred to as “morning stiffness.” This stiffness can make it difficult to get out of bed or walk initially.
• Post-activity stiffness: After periods of inactivity, such as sitting or standing for extended periods, the knee may feel stiff and resistant to movement.
• Limited range of motion: Stiffness can lead to a decreased range of motion, making it difficult to bend or straighten the knee fully.
• Painful movement: Attempting to move a stiff knee can often be painful.
• Gradual improvement: As the day progresses, the stiffness may gradually improve, but it can return later in the day or after periods of rest.

This stiffness is often a result of inflammation and thickening of the synovium, the tissue that lines the knee joint. It can also be due to the formation of bone spurs, which can limit the joint’s range of motion.

When does knee stiffness become serious?

If you’re experiencing knee stiffness that is interfering with your daily activities, it’s important to consult with a healthcare professional.

Here are some signs that you should seek medical attention:

• Increasing Pain: If your knee pain is worsening over time, it’s a good idea to consult with a doctor.
• Swelling or Redness: Swelling or redness in the knee joint can indicate inflammation.
• Difficulty Walking: If you’re finding it increasingly difficult to walk or climb stairs, it’s time to seek medical advice.

Early diagnosis and treatment can help manage the symptoms of osteoarthritis and slow its progression

Loss of Flexibility and Stability

Osteoarthritis of the knee is a degenerative condition that occurs when the cartilage, a smooth, cushioning material between the bones, wears away over time. As the cartilage deteriorates, the bones in the knee joint can rub against each other, causing pain, stiffness, and swelling.

One of the primary consequences of cartilage loss is a change in the shape of the knee joint. This altered joint alignment can lead to instability, as the bones may not fit together as smoothly as they once did. This instability can make individuals feel wobbly or unsteady on their feet.

In addition to instability, the swelling and stiffness associated with osteoarthritis can significantly limit knee flexibility. Activities that require kneeling, crouching, or squatting can become increasingly difficult and painful as the condition progresses.

When to Consider Medical Intervention

If home remedies and conservative treatments fail to provide adequate relief, it may be necessary to explore more advanced options. Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE) is a minimally invasive procedure that has shown promising results in improving knee pain and function.

GAE involves blocking abnormal blood vessels that contribute to inflammation and pain in the knee joint. This procedure can help reduce swelling, improve flexibility, and potentially delay the need for knee replacement surgery.

Locking and Popping

Knee osteoarthritis changes the shapes of your knee joint which can cause the bones to rub together making a popping or grating noise when you move your knee. Another symptom is the locking of the knee joint where your knee can feel like it’s stuck or catching in place.

These symptoms are typically caused by fragments of cartilage or bone that break off when the bones rub together from arthritis. These fragments can get stuck or trapped in the joint causing a disruption that we know as knee locking.

What other conditions cause knee popping and locking?

While osteoarthritis is a common cause of knee popping and locking, other conditions can also contribute to these symptoms. Here are some possibilities:

• Meniscus tear: The meniscus is a cartilage disc that acts as a cushion between the bones in the knee joint. A tear in the meniscus can cause popping, locking, and pain.
• Loose bodies: Fragments of cartilage or bone can break off and become loose in the joint, causing popping and locking.
• Ligament injury: Injuries to the ligaments that support the knee joint can lead to instability and popping.
• Bursitis: Inflammation of the bursa, a fluid-filled sac that cushions the knee joint, can cause pain, swelling, and popping.

Differentiating Between Conditions

It can be challenging to differentiate between these conditions based on symptoms alone. If you’re experiencing knee popping and locking, it’s important to consult with a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis. They may use imaging tests, such as X-rays or MRIs, to identify the underlying cause.

Treatment Options

The treatment for knee popping and locking will depend on the underlying condition. Options may include:

• Non-surgical treatments: Rest, ice, compression, elevation (RICE), physical therapy, medications, assistive devices, or genicular artery embolization (GAE).
• Surgical treatments: In some cases, surgery may be necessary to repair a torn meniscus, remove loose bodies, or address other underlying issues.

If you’re experiencing knee popping and locking, it’s important to seek medical attention to determine the cause and receive appropriate treatment. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent complications and improve your quality of life.

Range of Motion

Aching or throbbing pain, stiffness, swelling, loss of flexibility and locking cause limited or reduced range of motion in the knee joint. Problems can be felt when bending down, kneeling, squatting or crouching. It’s not just when you try to bend or straighten your knee, this problem also persists when trying to twist or turn your knee.

Can you regain range of motion in arthritic knee?

Yes, it is possible to regain range of motion in an arthritic knee. While osteoarthritis can cause stiffness and decreased flexibility, with proper management, it’s often possible to improve range of motion.

Here are some strategies that can help:

• Physical therapy: A physical therapist can design a personalized exercise program to strengthen the muscles surrounding the knee and improve flexibility.
• Exercises: Regular exercises can help maintain or improve range of motion. These may include stretching, strengthening exercises, and low-impact aerobics activities.
• Weight management: Losing weight can reduce stress on the knee joints and improve flexibility.

It’s important to consult with a healthcare professional for a personalized treatment plan. With consistent effort and the right approach, many people with arthritic knees can regain or maintain a good range of motion.