Top 5 Reasons For Knee Pain (and What To Do!)

Do you experience regular or intermittent knee pain? Not only can this make engaging in your favorite activities difficult, it can keep you from spending time with family or giving it your all when you’re at work. Here are the top five reasons for knee pain and what to do to find relief.

Recent Knee Injury

Do you run, bike, or otherwise take part in any form of physical exercise? Recent injuries are one of the leading reasons for knee pain and can be caused by issues like torn ligaments or cartilage. If you’re experiencing trouble extending your leg fully, hear popping, or putting weight on your knee.

While it is important to schedule an appointment to see us for a completely individualized treatment plan, there are things you can do to help reduce swelling and pain while at home. Stay off your knee as much as possible and try a brace or wrap to add pressure. You can even alternate ice and heat to help get the swelling down.

Knee Joint Cartilage Wearing Away​

One of the more common reasons for knee pain as you get older is joint cartilage wear. Simply put, overuse can cause you to lose some of the cartilage in your knee joint, which can then cause pain and make movement difficult. You might even feel the joint catching or giving way when trying to bend your leg.

This is another situation where you’ll want to get in touch with our office right away for a consultation. In some cases, there’s not a whole lot you can do at home to make the situation better if the cartilage in your knee is damaged. However, just like with a recent injury, wrapping it with a brace and rotating ice and heat can help ease pain and swelling.

Too Much Body Weight 

If you’re carrying a few extra pounds, you might experience persistent knee pain, as well. Why? Well, it basically comes down to your knees holding the pressure and weight of the rest of your body. Those who fall into the overweight or obese category based on body mass index (BMI) could experience knee pain.

In this case, the most obvious choice to help alleviate your knee pain is to eat a balanced diet and start a moderate level of exercise. But we also know that this is sometimes easier said than done. Our team at Hogan Spine & Rehab offers a whole-body approach to wellness and would love to speak with you about certain changes you can make to eliminate knee pain for good. 

Poor Posture Leads to Knee Pain

Not surprisingly, your posture might actually be the reason for your knee pain. If you regularly lean forward or bend at the waist while walking, this can lead to chronic bouts of knee inflammation. Further, wearing high heels or shoes that keep you slumped in a less than ideal position can also lead to knee problems.

Instead, try building up your core muscles by regularly engaging in exercises like yoga and pilates or doing planks and back extensions. These exercises make it easier to stand so that your shoulders are centered over your abdomen and pelvis, which makes a difference. You can also choose proper fitting footwear or try special insoles to help relieve pressure off your knee.

Knee Arthritis

Another common reason for chronic knee pain is arthritis in the joint. While this is much more common in older adults, it can potentially happen at any time in life depending on body chemistry and usage. A key indicator that you’re dealing with arthritis and not another condition is that the pain will be more prominent first thing in the morning or after periods of rest.

Arthritis in the knee should be reviewed by our team, but there are a few things you can do at home to increase range of motion and improve pain. As mentioned above, braces and wraps are a good idea. And alternating ice/heat daily is important. Certain stretches and movements may also help.

Trust The Best Knee Pain Doctor in Sugarland, TX ​

At Hogan Spine & Rehab, we are proud to offer a special type of knee pain treatment called knee decompression therapy. During this process, a knee decompression machine is used to help apply mechanical traction to the knee and decrease pain, which can also reduce inflammation.

Are you ready to learn more about various knee pain relief options including Sugarland knee decompression therapy? Please contact our team Hogan Spine & Rehab at (281) 240-2225 to schedule an appointment.