Knee pain may be the result of an injury, such as a ruptured ligament or torn cartilage. Medical conditions — including arthritis, gout and infections — also can cause knee pain. Many types of minor knee pain respond well to self-care measures. Physical therapy and knee braces also can help relieve pain.
Researchers suspect one of the most likely causes is the way women are built. Women tend to have wider hips and are slightly knock-kneed (their thighbones tend to curve inward from the hip to the knee) and this alignment can create added stress on the joints. Another cause could be traced to a woman's muscles.
Bursitis: Bursitis is one common cause of knee pain without injury. Tiny sacs of fluid cushion the bones in the knee joint, and when they become infected or irritated, they can become inflamed, leading to a condition known as bursitis.
Having sore knees is common and isn't usually a sign of anything serious. There are many possible causes, which can range from a simple muscle strain or tendonitis, to some kind of arthritis. Sometimes a cause can't be found. Knee pain can often be treated at home and you should start to feel better after a few days.
The joint may become stiff and swollen, making it difficult to bend and straighten the knee. Pain and swelling may be worse in the morning, or after sitting or resting. Vigorous activity may cause pain to flare up.
Make an appointment with your doctor if your knee pain was caused by a particularly forceful impact or if it's accompanied by: Significant swelling. Redness. Tenderness and warmth around the joint.
Walking as a form of exercise has enormous benefits, particularly for older adults. It's easy on the joints and helps boost heart health and improve circulation and balance. And new research now suggests that taking a walk can reduce and prevent knee pain related to osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis.
Dehydration can cause joint pain because of the lubricating effect it has on the joints. It's estimated that 70 – 80% of your joint cartilage consists of water. Synovial fluid is the thick lubrication located between the joints, giving you a cushion so the bones don't come in contact.
In general, the affected portion of your knee might feel warm, tender and swollen when you put pressure on it. You might also feel pain when you move or even at rest. A sharp blow to the knee can cause symptoms to appear rapidly.
Joint pain and hormonal imbalance
Midlife hormone shifts, especially fluctuating estrogen levels, can have a deep impact on your joints. Since estrogen has an anti-inflammatory effect in the body, as it declines naturally it can increase the symptoms of chronic inflammation, including joint pain.
Women are two to eight times more likely than men to have certain kinds of knee problems like ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) tears. The ACL is the ligament (strong, elastic bands of tissue that connect bone to bone) that stabilizes the knee. It prevents the knee from moving side to side and forward and backward.
Starting around age 30, you begin to lose bone density and muscle mass, both of which can create strain and pain in your joints.
Drinking water can stimulate our production of synovial fluid (in charge of lubricating the cartilage), plus, reduce inflammation around the joint. And it encourages the growth of new cells in the cartilage tissues.
Green, black and white teas are all rich in polyphenols – compounds from plants that have strong anti-inflammatory effects. You'll find the highest polyphenol levels in green and white teas.
Hydration Fights Inflammation
Hydration helps our bodies fight inflammation by flushing out toxins. Adequate water intake can also help keep our joints well lubricated and prevent gout attacks. Most of the water in our bodies is stored in connective tissue (tendons, ligaments, etc.)
Dropping pounds can help ease knee pain, as you may have heard. An important study published in June 2018 in the journal Arthritis Care & Research found that adults with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) who are overweight or obese experience less pain and inflammation and better knee function when they lose weight.
Back or Side Sleeping for Less Knee Pain
If on your back, put a pillow under your knees for support. On your side, keep your knee in a flexed position to minimize pain. Try to never sleep with your legs crossed. If you have knee pain due to injury, you should see an orthopaedic specialist.
If your pain is not settling or is worsening over a period of 2-3 weeks, and is stopping you from doing your normal activities, then you should seek further advice from your GP/physiotherapist.
Aging causes your tendons to lose some elasticity, which can lead to not only stiffness and inflammation, but a higher risk of injury. And it is more common in adults over 40. Less common conditions that can cause sore joints include gout, fibromyalgia, lupus, hypothyroidism, or even Lyme disease.