Pain in the knee often occurs suddenly, interferes with moving and living a full life. But not everyone rushes to the doctor with this problem. What is the cause of the pain and does it require treatment?
The structure of the knee
To begin with, we will understand the structure of the knee joint. After all, if a person feels pain in the knee from the side from the outside, treatment will be prescribed after identifying the source of this pain. The joint of the two bones - the femoral and tibial - like a shield, is covered by the patella. The condyles are located in the lower part of the joint - these are two elevations on the femur, covered with cartilaginous tissue. On the tibia is the so-called plateau, which interacts with the condyles when walking. The ends of the two bones and the patella are covered with a cartilaginous layer, this improves cushioning and reduces friction. Connective tissue and ligaments participate in the bonding of bones to each other: lateral, medial and cruciform (posterior and anterior).
Between the bones are menisci, consisting of cartilage. They have an important function: they distribute body weight evenly over the surface of the tibial plateau. The joint is surrounded by muscles: the quadriceps, the tailor, the biceps, the thin, the popliteal. They provide movement. The knee joint has nerve weaves. These include the peroneal, sciatic and tibial nerves. And, of course, the circulatory system nourishes all parts of the knee joint. Lymphatic vessels pass near the blood vessels. The joint has three periarticular bags (bursa). They are located in front of the patella, below the knee and under the large tendon. They perform a protective function.
Injuries
The structure of the knee joint allows a person to move in a variety of ways. But damage to any component can damage the entire joint and cause a lot of inconvenience. What can cause knee pain from the outside on the side? First of all, it can be injuries, sprain, rupture of muscles and ligaments. Usually they get active people involved in sports during training or competition.
But you can break the ligament, just stumbled on high heels. Most often, sprain and rupture of the ligaments is accompanied by edema and the appearance of a hematoma at the site of injury. If the external lateral ligament is damaged, then knee pain will be felt on the side from the outside. The specialist will be able to identify the nature of the damage after arthroscopy. Based on its results, treatment will be prescribed: fixation with a tire, elastic bandage, bandage, rest of the joint. With a complete rupture of ligaments, surgery may be necessary.
Meniscus injuries
Menisci are most susceptible to damage among other components of the knee, this is the most fragile element. Symptoms: a sound may appear when the joint is bent, swelling may form, local temperature rises. Sick menisci can not be overlooked, since they interfere with the complete bending of the leg. With inflammation of the meniscus , knee pain appears on the side from the outside when descending the stairs.
Treatment is based on the complexity of the damage. There are times when the meniscus completely comes off. Then you can not do without surgery and removal of the meniscus. If the damage is not so serious, the treatment is carried out by typical methods: physiotherapy (restoration by ultrasound or laser), fixing the joint, relieving pain and swelling, therapeutic exercises, taking medications. Rehabilitation usually takes several weeks; it may take about three months to fully recover. Prolonged refusal of treatment can lead to complications, such as a cyst.
Arthrosis
The most common cause of arthrosis is age-related changes when cartilage tissue wears out. Less commonly, arthrosis occurs due to severe physical exertion and a hereditary predisposition in young people. The development of the disease is slow, subtle, followed by increased symptoms. At first, arthrosis reveals itself as a characteristic sound when bending and extending the joint, and knee pain also appears on the side from the outside when walking. These symptoms can last a long time without change. People usually do not rush to consult a doctor with them in the hope that everything will go away by itself. And the cartilage tissue continues to thin out. Acquisition of a more acute form of the disease will be manifested by increased symptoms, pain in the knee from the outside on the side will be felt not only during walking, but also at rest. After rest, difficulty in movement is observed. Leg as if "twists." With the advanced stage of arthrosis, bone tissue is deformed, which affects even the patient’s gait. In order not to bring this up, you need to contact a specialist at the first sign of a disease when the cartilage can still be saved.
In addition to medications, how can I relieve knee pain on the side from the outside? Treatment with folk remedies is carried out only in combination with the main therapy prescribed by the doctor. This can only be an addition to drug treatment, but not a substitute for it. Compresses from the infusion of burdock leaves or celandine will help relieve pain and relieve swelling.
Arthritis
It occurs in people of different ages. His symptoms are similar to arthrosis, but the nature of the disease is completely different. Arthritis is often chronic and associated with the general condition of the body. It can cause microorganisms, injuries, problems in the immune system. Arthritis can be not only an independent diagnosis, but also a manifestation of other diseases, for example, rheumatism. Treatment should begin with the identification of the cause and its elimination. Therapy is strictly individual for each patient. To eliminate the inflammatory process in the joint, injections of anti-inflammatory drugs are used.
Bursitis
Bursitis is an inflammation of the joint bags. It occurs for many reasons, it can be infections, the effects of arthritis, trauma or physical overload. Pathogenic microorganisms can provoke it. Previously transmitted infectious diseases can go as a complication in bursitis. Pathogens can also enter the knee joint through an open wound in case of injury. As a result, articular bags become inflamed and cause great discomfort, knee pain on the side from the outside with pressure, and even an increase in body temperature.
It begins quickly with a sharp pain, aggravated by movement. Edema may form above the patella. With a mild form of bursitis, anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs are prescribed. If the inflammation is severe, resort to more serious measures - a puncture to remove fluid from the joint or surgery.
Tendinitis
Like bursitis, this is also an inflammatory disease, but ligaments and tendons are affected with it. The foci of inflammation are the sites of attachment of tendons with bone. Usually professional athletes are affected. The cause may be an injury, infection, or abnormal development of tendons in childhood. Sometimes tendonitis occurs with a long stay of the leg in an uncomfortable position.
Symptoms may include swelling, increased pain in the knee on the side from the outside when bending, with muscle contraction. Getting up from a chair or stairs can be painful. Pain is also felt during palpation, redness may appear around the affected knee. You can diagnose the disease using a blood test and an x-ray. They are treated with anti-inflammatory drugs, and injections directly into the joint are made to more quickly relieve symptoms. In addition to medicines, the patient is prescribed complete rest and lack of exercise.
Flat feet
It would seem that factors independent of each other, but flat feet can also cause pain in the knee from the outside on the side. What is the reason? With flat feet, body weight cannot be distributed correctly in the foot. This makes the knees take on an extra burden. This becomes especially noticeable with increasing weight and pregnancy. In the body of a pregnant woman, hormones (estrogen, progesterone) are released in an increased amount, which contribute to muscle relaxation.
The foot cannot cope, and the entire load goes to the knee joint, hence the knee pain from the outside on the side. An adult can no longer correct this situation, but at least its manifestations can be facilitated. You need to wear comfortable shoes that support the arch of the foot, sneakers are great for this. Also, do not spend much time on your feet.
Osteochondrosis
With this disease of the spine, knee pain is also possible. Spinal nerve endings get pinched, because of this, processes can develop that destroy the cartilage and connective tissue of the knee joint. Due to impaired innervation and blood circulation, periarthrosis develops. Most often, heats of the joint suffer from it. The disease most often affects young people and middle-aged people. Treatment is carried out by eliminating the impairment of nerve endings and subsequent health-improving physical education.