| Arthritis is a joint disorder resulting in joint inflammation | | | | patellar tendon occurs. This tendon is attached to the |
| and pain. Knee joint is a major weight bearing joint of | | | | front part of tibia bone. The thigh muscles, quadriceps |
| our body, and therefore is quite vulnerable to increased | | | | muscles and hamstring muscles surrounding the knee |
| rate of wear and tear. Before learning about arthritis | | | | relax and contract to allow knee movement. |
| knee pain management, we have to understand the | | | | Cause and Symptoms of Arthritis Knee Pain |
| structure and functioning of the knee joint. Knee joint is, | | | | Arthritis knee pain occurs due to degeneration or wear |
| by nature, a hinge joint, allowing flexion normally to a | | | | and tear of the meniscus or inflammation of soft |
| maximum of 135 degrees but no extension. The | | | | tissues surrounding the knee. Aging of body makes the |
| functioning of knee joint allows free movement of the | | | | meniscus weak and incapable of repairing itself after |
| legs, and the joint is also capable of bearing the entire | | | | the daily wear and tear. As a result of which it may |
| body weight. | | | | start tearing or flaking. Once the cartilage is lost due to |
| The knee joint is the point where the femur or thigh | | | | degeneration, the shin bone and thigh bone are |
| bone and the large shinbone or tibia meets. The joint is | | | | exposed to friction which may develop bony |
| comprised of three compartments: the inner or medial | | | | outgrowths or spurs called osteophytes. The above |
| compartment, outer or lateral compartment and the | | | | occurrence makes the knee painful. Pain may occur |
| knee cap or patella joining the femur to form the third | | | | also when rheumatic arthritis invades the delicate |
| compartment named as patellofemoral joint. The knee | | | | tissues around the knee joint. |
| joint lies protected within a capsule and collateral | | | | Another cause of knee pain due to arthritis is the |
| ligaments are there both on the inside and outside of | | | | crystallization of uric acid within the joint cavity. This |
| the joint, and also ligaments cross each other within the | | | | actually occurs in case of gout. Swelling of knee due |
| joint, and are known by the name of cruciate | | | | to arthritis may lead to accumulation of fluid in a cyst |
| ligaments. | | | | behind the knee. Such a cyst is called Baker's cyst, |
| These ligaments hold the bones in place, and also | | | | and it is one common reason for pain at the back of |
| impart strength and stability to the joint. The junction | | | | the knee. The common symptoms associated with |
| where the femur and tibia meet, the cartilage meniscus | | | | knee pain due to arthritis are swelling, warmth in the |
| occurs. Meniscus serves as a cushioned pad allowing | | | | joint, inflexibility or stiffness, redness of skin around the |
| the bones to move freely without friction, and also | | | | joint, locking sensation in the joint, crunching sound while |
| absorbing the load of body weight above knee while | | | | moving knee. |
| standing. Below the knee cap, a large tendon called | | | | |