Knee discomfort is essential to treat in time; there are several conditions related to punctures in the knee, and regardless of the cause, it is necessary to stop this discomfort in time. Any pain or discomfort in this part of the leg should not be taken lightly.
Osteoarthritis and cartilage injury of the knees are just some of the most common causes for it to occur. In addition to punctures, there are other symptoms such as pain, swelling, and instability in this joint. In this FastlyHealarticle, we will talk about holes in the knee and what are the most common causes.
Table of Contents
How is the knee joint
The knee represents the largest joint in the human body; in fact, it is the most complex since its structure is designed to support body weight between the different activities of the human, whether it is walking, running, or simply standing; this implies that it is It must be completely healthy, without any discomfort because it must have excellent stability.
This joint comprises three essential bones: the tibia, the femur, and the patella, as well as the external and internal menisci responsible for avoiding friction between bones and cushioning impact movements like jumping.
It also has cartilage called prertotulian cartilage. The entire joint is surrounded by a joint capsule that produces what is known as synovial fluid in the internal part or synovial membrane, which lubricates the whole knee joint. This is to avoid friction between some structures with mobility, and there are also several deep pockets to make it more effective. It also has several ligaments that determine its stability (anterior and posterior cruciate ligament, transverse ligament, genitofemoral, external, internal, and patellar ligament).
When any of these structures are damaged or any part of the joint mechanism fails, ailments, discomfort, punctures, inflammation, etc., can appear. Therefore, it is essential to detect the symptoms and go to the doctor to make a diagnosis and prescribe an appropriate treatment.
Punctures in the knee: common causes
The most common causes of punctures in the knee are two:
Osteoarthritis
This represents a frequent cause of punctures, especially in the initial stages. Osteoarthritis is characterized by progressive wear of the articular cartilage, causing pain during physical activities, inability to stand, stiffness, and progressive knee deformity. This condition is common in people older than 50 years. Although its cause is not clearly defined, it is believed to be related to genetic and environmental factors such as age, job occupation, and physical exercise.
The orthopedic surgeon will diagnose once the joint examination is carried out and an X-ray to confirm the diagnosis. Once the precise diagnosis of osteoarthritis has been established, the doctor will indicate the necessary treatment, which may include: analgesics and anti-inflammatories, corticosteroids, and particular medications to stop the evolution of osteoarthritis, such as glucosamine sulfate. The Spanish Society of Rheumatology, about the prevalence and impact of rheumatic diseases in the Spanish adult population, describes that the majority was: low back pain 14.8%, rheumatoid arthritis 0.5%, knee osteoarthritis 10.2%, osteoarthritis of hands 6.2%.
Jumper’s knee or patellar tendonitis
This discomfort is associated with inflammation of the tendon caused by excessive use, some trauma, or being overweight. The first way patellar tendonitis manifests is with the sensitivity of the patella being much greater after practicing some exercise; the pain or discomfort can range from very mild, resembling punctures in the area, to present severe pain that restricts any movement in the knee.
The cause of this knee condition is believed to be caused by a mechanical shock to the tendon. In mild cases, with just applying rest, the symptoms will improve. Still, suppose the tendonitis is moderate to severe. In that case, the traumatologist will indicate another treatment: stabilizing the joint, an injection of steroids, and, ultimately, surgery will be required to repair the tendon.
Other causes of punctures in the knee
Although the two previous conditions are the most frequent with this symptom, others may be to blame for these discomforts, and the doctor will have to assess to make a diagnosis. These are other causes of punctures in the knee joint :
Chondromalacia patella
This condition is characterized by the degeneration or wear of the cartilage that is located under the patella; this discomfort is joint in adolescence and is directly related to problems in the position of the patella, imbalance in the extensor muscles, through chronic friction between the femoral joint and patella when moving the knee. On the other hand, this is associated with other factors such as:
- Overweight.
- Trauma
- Synovitis
- Congenital anomalies of the patella.
Characteristically, chondromalacia patella is manifested with punctures in the knee and pain that may increase in the event of activities such as climbing stairs; it is also associated with discomfort behind the patella, pain in the knee when sitting for a long time, friction when stretching the knee, cracking to the touch.
The ideal initial treatment is physical rest to limit flexion of the knee, use of drugs from the NSAID group to improve pain, apply cryotherapy, and ultimately surgical treatment would be used.
Meniscus tear
The meniscus allows for cushioning the load shocks in the joint supporting the tension; it also lubricates the knee thanks to the secretion of the synovial fluid and stabilizes the knee; there are certain factors related to the tear of the meniscus, including muscle insufficiency, obesity, effort intense physical, varus or valgus knee deviation.
Logically, pain may appear that is not defined at first, similar to punctures, but then progresses and is located in the back of the knee; commonly, this discomfort occurs going up or downstairs; other related symptoms are synovial fluid leakage and clicking by the irregular displacement of the meniscus.
The traumatologist will diagnose according to the history, the medical examination, and the characteristic symptoms that are manifested; it will probably be necessary to carry out an MRI, the most reliable method. Treatment can range from rest, cryotherapy, compression bandaging, and synovial fluid drainage.
Regardless of the causes, do not hesitate to go to the doctor from the first moment any knee symptoms appear. Each condition is different, and it is essential to treat it properly; it is not recommended to self-medicate.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Knee punctures: causes, we recommend that you enter our Bones, Joints and Muscles category .
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.