You might think that only older people deal with sore, hurting knees, but guess what? Many younger folks also have knee pain. Younger people typically experience knee discomfort for various reasons, even though the symptoms may feel identical. They will therefore require various forms of treatment to feel better.
You can book a consultation at Miot Hospital Chennai through the Credihealth website. To help you understand knee pain in young adults, we will talk about ten causes of Knee pain in young adults.
Types of Knee pain in young adults
Three main categories can be used to classify common knee pain issues in young adults:
- Patellofemoral discomfort is commonly known as anterior knee pain.
- Injuries to the kneecap itself, its ligaments, and tendons.
- Diseases that have an impact on the knee.
- Sports injuries
12 most common causes of Knee pain in young adults
Teenagers’ knee discomfort frequently stems from overuse, but it can also be brought on by specific knee injuries and conditions that damage the knee.
Anterior knee pain
Your teen’s kneecap may get dislodged from its groove due to increased pressure, resulting in anterior knee pain. The following factors increase the pressure on the knee joint:
- Abnormal hip rotation is caused by inequity in the strength and flexibility of the muscles surrounding the hips.
- Incorrect training techniques or tools.
- The thigh muscles that support the knee joint are not very flexible—a tight or weakened thigh muscle.
- Repeated knee bending from running, jumping, and other activities can cause overuse injuries.
- Alignment issues, such as having flat feet, which alters the natural gait, or the kneecap not correctly positioned within the knee.
Meniscal tears
Meniscal tears are cartilage tears between the femur, the upper leg bone, and the tibia, the lower leg bone.
Ligament injuries
Ligament injuries include damage to the medial collateral ligament, lateral collateral ligament, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL).
Tendonitis
Tendons that have been injured become inflamed or irritable. The quadriceps tendon, which joins the front thigh muscles to the kneecap, and the patellar tendon are among the knee’s tendons (connects the kneecap to the tibia).
Bursitis
Bursitis is inflammation of one of the fluid sacs that cushion the knee, causing it to swell.
Displaced kneecap
The kneecap is out of place in this position.
Osgood-Schlatter disease
Where the patella tendon connects to the bony elevated region on the tibia, about an inch below the kneecap, is where the painful illness known as Osgood-Schlatter disease occurs (shin bone). The misuse of the thigh muscles is assumed to cause this ailment, which affects more men than women.
Sindling-Larsen-Johansson Syndrome
The growth plate at the base of the kneecap has been hurt. The injury is brought on by repeatedly contracting the thigh muscle while it is still growing, such as when sprinting or jumping.
Rheumatoid arthritis
It can affect the knee and causes pain, swelling, stiffness, and loss of flexibility in joints in young people.
Osteochondritis dissecans
A portion of the joint cartilage and the bone directly beneath it are separated from the remaining bone. Regarding the knee, this ailment can occur on the medial femoral condyle, the top of the thigh bone (femur).
Osteoarthritis
When the protective layer of cartilage inside your knee joint deteriorates, arthritis can set in. Due to the excessive wear and tear inside the joint, some athletes, particularly those who engage in frequent pivoting, jumping, or other high-impact exercises, are more susceptible to developing arthritis.
Repeated knee injuries can also harm the cartilage, increasing your risk of developing arthritis. Similar effects of obesity are seen in the knees. Carrying all that weight puts additional strain on the cartilage layer, weakening it and hastening its degeneration.
Sports injuries
Your young adult may have knee pain from any sport or activity, including running and jumping. Knee discomfort is more likely to develop if a player participates in many sports and teams.
How to treat knee pain in young adults?
Younger patients’ knee pain can frequently be managed conservatively by:
- Knee resting.
- Avoiding physical exertion.
- Putting ice on.
- Using drugs to treat the inflammation that is non-steroidal.
- To “rebalance” the knee, use physical therapy and stretching exercises.
- minimal stretching
Depending on your symptoms and level of activity, it might be beneficial for you to:
- Make sure your footwear is made for the sport or activity you’re participating in.
- Be sure to warm up properly before any exercise.
- Maintaining a regular leg workout regimen to keep your knee muscles supple and robust.
- Preventing yourself from doing things that hurt your knees.
- Keep an eye out for the first signs of pain to prevent “overdoing it.”
How can you prevent knee pain in young adults?
With minimal care and effort on your teen’s part, you may prevent the majority of knee pain that is brought on by an injury or overuse (as opposed to those brought on by a medical condition), including:
- Make sure your teen is wearing the appropriate footwear for the activity or sport and knee and leg protectors (as appropriate to the activity). Replace worn-out equipment and shoes.
- Exercises for building muscle strength should be done. Consult a trainer to ensure that proper form and body alignment are followed. Perform warm-up and cool-down activities before and following workouts.
- Yoga or suitable stretching activities will keep your muscles flexible.
- Avoid doing things that make your knee discomfort worse or worsen it.
When and what kind of surgery would be required for knee pain in young adults?
Surgery would be required for osteoarthritis treatment:
- Once more, prudent measures have been tried and failed.
- My gut sense is that surgery is necessary whenever symptoms start interfering with daily life and lower quality of life.
- Knee replacements, either partial or complete, can achieve this.
One or both of the following options may be required for the treatment of knee discomfort in young adults:
- Osteotomy surgery
- Keyhole cartilage repair surgery
- Meniscal transplants
- Osteochondral transplant surgery
- Ligament reconstruction
Conclusion:
Even though knee pain in young adults and teens is often treatable conservatively, you still require a medical checkup. Delaying medical care can make you more likely to develop significant conditions like arthritis. Children, adolescents, and patients in their 20s can all receive expert diagnosis and care for knee issues from orthopedic experts at the Miot Hospital. Get the treatment for knee pain to feel better and save your joints from being permanently damaged.
FAQs
What types of wounds might result in knee pain?
ACL, meniscus, or ligament injuries to the knee are most frequently caused by twisting.
What distinguishes arthritis from knee pain?
The critical distinction between arthritis and other types of knee pain is the absence of a traumatic event. Anyone who has experienced an ACL tear or meniscus injury can pinpoint the exact moment it occurred. It hurts more, is dull, and is achy with arthritis. As time goes on, it gets worse.
When do I require medical attention?
Each person has a unique threshold for pain. You should consult a doctor if your knee swells after an injury. You should have your knee evaluated even if the swelling disappears.
Does knee pain ever go away by itself?
It varies. Over time, arthritis pain frequently waxes and wanes. Even while it might not entirely disappear, sometimes it feels considerably better. At first, pain after an accident subsides, but if a sore joint remains, you might not be able to engage in certain activities.
What causes young adults’ swelling knees?
Trauma, overuse injuries, or an underlying illness or condition can all cause knee swelling.
What relieves knee pain in healthy individuals?
Knee pain may be relieved by over-the-counter drugs such as naproxen sodium (Aleve) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, etc.).
