Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Why Does My Knee Hurt When I Walk? A Look at Symptoms and Treatment


The knee is a vulnerable joint that bears a great deal of stress from everyday activities such as walking, jumping, lifting, kneeling, and climbing, and from high-impact activities such as running and aerobics. Many people suffer from knee pain brought about by the regular wear and tear in their daily lives.

Determining the Cause of Pain If by any chance you experience severe knee pain from just walking, chances are the pain is not caused by it. There could be an underlying reason why your knee hurts. If you are suffering from knee pain, see your doctor and or an orthopedic surgeon who can determine the cause and prescribe an appropriate treatment and pain management plan. Your doctor can also help determine the direct cause of your knee pain and these include:

- Age
- Checking if the knee by chance had suffered an injury at some point
- Exact location of the pain
- Was the pain sudden or was it gradual

Symptoms of Knee Pain Following are the symptoms of knee pain.

1) Locking - A "locked knee" is a term used to describe a patient's inability to either bend or straighten their knee. There are two general types of locked knees: it can either be caused by a mechanical block to the knee motion, or by pain that is too severe to allow knee motion.

2) Popping or snapping sensation - This symptom can be a sign of various medical problems. One of the key distinguishing factors is whether or not the popping or snapping causes or is associated with pain. Popping or snapping not associated with painful symptoms is often not a sign of a significant problem.

3) Giving way or knee instability - If it feels as if your knee is going to give out from under you, you should seek medical help for further evaluation.

4) Inability to put weight on the knee

5) Grinding feeling

6) A swollen knee is a common problem. Many people call this "water on the knee." Swelling may be acute or chronic. It may be associated with a recent injury or may have a gradual onset. The swelling can be within the knee or around the knee.

7) Chronic and worsening knee pain

Causes of Knee Pain When Walking There are several possible causes of knee pain when one is walking. The following are some of them.

1) Tendonitis - Tendons become inflamed for a variety of reasons, and the action of pulling the muscle becomes irritating. If the normal smooth gliding motion of your tendon is impaired, the tendon will become inflamed and movement will become painful.

2) Meniscus injuries - A meniscus tear occurs when these cartilage tear and get injured usually during movements that forcefully rotate the knee while bearing weight.

3) Bursitis - The most common bursa affected around the joint is just above the kneecap. This is most common in people who kneel for work, such as gardeners or carpet layers.

4) Knee arthritis - Arthritis is among the most common causes of knee pain, and there are many treatments available.

5) Gout - Gout is an uncommon cause of knee pain. It is due to the accumulation of uric acid crystals within the fluid of your knee. Uric acid is a substance produced as part of digestion. However, in patients who have a diagnosis of gout, it must be considered as a cause for new onset knee pain.

Treatment for Severe Knee Pain When Walking Treatment depends on the cause and level of pain. You may be treated with surgery or by taking anti-inflammatory medicines.

Wearing knee braces is one of the most effective ways to help protect the knee from further injury while recuperating. It helps stabilize the joint, helps to reduce pain, and promote healing of the injured area.

It is important to seek for professional help if you experience severe pain and stiffness when walking. This article is for health information and should not be seen as a substitute for the advice of a medical professional.

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