All about Inner Knee Pain

Inner knee pain is a symptom of several different conditions. Although it is often temporary that can resolve on its own, it can develop into a more chronic and longer lasting condition or can indicate a more serious condition like osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.

Arthritis is a condition characterized by inflammation of the joints in your body. This can cause significant pain and limit your activities.

Causes of Inner Knee Pain

There are a couple of reasons why inner knee pain occurs. They are as follows:

Trauma

Trauma happens when a person experiences some sort of injury. This could follow a fall during a workout or an injury while playing sports. This leads to pain and inflammation inside of the knee. Often this type of pain can be treated by repositioning the body part.

Arthritis

Arthritis can be either gouty, rheumatoid or osteoarthritis (a degeneration of the cartilage of the knee) that contributes to pain inside of the knee. Often medication is the only treatment option for this type of knee pain.

With rheumatoid arthritis the body begins attacking its own joints. This happens more often in women.

Osteoarthritis occurs due to aging and general stress on the body’s joints. There isn’t a known cause of osteoarthritis but it seems to be a factor of the aging process. Pain and joint stiffness that often increases following physical exercise is a major symptom.

Gouty arthritis symptoms include stiffness, burning pain and inflammation in the affected joint. This is often in the big toe. Gout is an uncommon cause of knee pain. However, in patients who have a diagnosis of gout, it must be considered as a cause for new onset knee pain.

Bursitis of the Knee

Bursitis of the knee commonly occurs on the inside of the knee and the front of the. Bursitis is generally treated with ice packs, immobilization, and anti-inflammatory medications such as Ibuprofen and may require local injections of corticosteroids as well as exercise therapy.

Baker Cyst

Swelling of the knee joint from arthritis can lead to a localized collection of fluid accumulating in a cyst behind the knee. This is referred to as a Baker cyst and is a common cause of pain of the knee. Baker cysts can be treated with medications, cortisone injection, and surgical operation.

Hallmark Characteristics of Inner Knee Pain

After studying patients with inner knee pain, studies revealed some distinct characteristics and clinical manifestations that differentiate this condition from other kinds of knee problems. They include:

Throbbing pain: Pain can be felt as a dull ache and feels similar to a pulse or throb. There are small, short pain-free intervals in between the symptoms.

Radiating pain: Patients often describe a pain that radiates outwards. It can seem to spread and move towards other parts of the leg. It can sometimes radiate down towards the ankle and lower leg or upwards towards the groin.

Frequency: Inside knee pain tends to be more chronic and long lasting. It can occur for long periods.

Symptoms of Inner Knee Pain

The major symptoms of inner knee pain are:

Redness and inflammation: Often when someone feels this pain it coincides with an injury. The area surrounding the knee pain will appear red and swollen.

Problems moving around: Patients can have problems walking and moving around. This interrupts their workout routines and even sitting.

Diagnosis

Often a doctor has to make the diagnosis of inner knee pain. They must examine the patient and may order blood tests. Sometimes even an MRI, ultrasounds and other tests help the doctor get a better idea of the pain the patient is experiencing.

Treatment Options

There are a few options to combat inner knee pain. These include:

Surgery: This is one treatment option often used when the knee pain is more complex. It can be used following a more serious injury.

Medical treatment: Medications can be prescribed for the patient to take to relieve pain and inflammation. The patient can also use over the counter medicines as well.

Alternative treatment: Some patients turn to herbal therapy for inner knee pain and many of them do report success with these all natural supplements. Be careful and do your research, choose quality supplements only. Hydrotherapy, yoga and exercise offer some benefits for patients and have been regarded as effective natural ways of dealing with the inner knee pain.

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