8 most common causes of knee pain after physical activity

Have you practiced physical exercises and noticed that your knee hurts? So, know that this is something common and that, generally, does not indicate any more serious problem. In fact, estimates show that 25% of adults experience knee pain after running, jumping, stretching, bending or carrying weight. Meanwhile, if it persists for a long time, it’s important to light a warning signal.

“The knee is a complex joint involving bones, menisci, muscles, tendons and ligaments that support the joint. They can hurt when damage or stress occurs to any of these components. For this reason, this is a common complaint”, details Dr. Marcos Cortelazo, orthopedic specialist in knee and sports traumatology and member of the Brazilian Society of Orthopedics and Traumatology (SBOT).

PREVENTION

To avoid knee complications when moving, it’s important to take some care. The main recommendations are: enlist the help of a physical educator, do a good warm-up before starting your workout It is wear proper shoes.

The doctor also highlights the importance of strengthening exercises. “If the muscles in the region are weak, locomotion is impaired and the joint becomes more prone to wear and tear. The stronger the muscles, the more protected the joints are, ”he points out.

TREATMENT

In cases where knee pain is not associated with a more serious problem, some simple measures can help, for example, rest, put ice, keep the knee up It is use an elastic bandage.

However, it is important to remember that, for some frames, there may be a need to carry out injections, physical therapy sessions and even surgical procedures.

“Even if the symptoms subside, the best thing to do is to look for an orthopedic professional so that he can make the correct diagnosis and indicate the treatment”, warns Dr. Marcos, who also lists the most common causes for this discomfort:

1

bursitis

Bursitis is a disease consisting of the inflammation of the bursae, liquid bags that act to cushion and protect muscles, tendons and bones. Its symptoms are: pain and sensitivity when pressing the knee, stiffness when moving, pain when moving and resting, swelling, heat and redness.

“When a bursa becomes swollen and irritated, you may experience pain in the front of your knee. This is called bursitis. Inflammation can occur due to excessive use, lesion or repeated pressure, like kneeling. Activity level changes, such as training for a marathon, can also cause bursitis, as well as some types of arthritis,” says Dr. Frames.

two

Iliotibial Tract Syndrome

Another example of knee injury caused by excessive use of this joint is the iliotibial band syndrome, which affects more frequently long-distance runners, cyclists, skiers and hockey, basketball or soccer players. she teases pain in the outer (lateral) part of the knees.

“It occurs when the iliotibial band – a fascia along the outside of the leg – becomes swollen and irritated. Swelling and irritation occur from rubbing against the bone, usually when you bend over. You can develop the syndrome if you don’t warm up before exercising.. Symptoms first appear when you start exercising and improve after warming up. As the condition progresses, you may experience pain after warming up.”

3

Jumper’s knee (patellar tendonitis)

The injury, which especially affects athletes between 15 and 30 years old, usually develops after practicing sports that require strenuous jumping, for example, volleyball and basketball. “Long-distance running and skiing can also result in jumper’s knee,” adds the orthopedist.

In general, people who suffer from this pathology have pain below the patella It is knee stiffness when jumping, kneeling or climbing stairs. At rest, it tends to be painless.

4

Ligament and cartilage ruptures

Knee pain can be the result of more serious injuries, such as ligament or cartilage ruptures, which can happen when the joint is overextended during physical activity, when you quickly stop moving or when there is a sudden change in direction.

For those who don’t know, ligaments are tissues that connect bones is that guarantee the stabilityallowing the different movements of this joint. “When these tissues rupture, it can cause pain, swelling and instability in the knee,” says the doctor.

Its symptoms include loud popping sound at the time of injury, swelling, pain It is feeling of instability.

5

meniscus injury

Located between the ends of bones in a joint, the menisci are semi-ring shaped structures of cartilage that serve to absorb the shock It is distribute the load.

“If you twist your knee, kneel or squat while lifting something heavy, you can tear that structure, which will cause pain that gets worse if you press on the knee or walk, swelling the day after the injury, and even the possibility of knee lock.”

6

osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis of the knee occurs when wear and tear deteriorates the tissue that protects the bone surfaces, called articular cartilage. Most of the time, patients diagnosed with this degenerative disease suffer from knee swelling, stiffness It is limitation in movement.

The pain caused by osteoarthritis gets worse with move for long periods, in repetitive flexion, when going up or down stairs or in downtimeaccording to the orthopedist.

“This is one of the most common conditions that affect the knee, and it can happen due to lesion or excessive use. People often develop arthritis as they age. Because it is progressive, it is necessary to treat it so that it does not evolve”, he points out.

7

runner’s knee

As its name already says, this is a common injury in runners. This is because it happens when the knee undergoes impact overload It is continuous alternation of monopedal support.

“People often experience runner’s knee when they change running mileage or speed or start to complete more hill training than usual. Stresslike this poor nutrition It is sleepcan contribute”, guarantees the doctor.

It is one of the most common causes of pain in front of kneeand people often describe the discomfort as a feeling of irritation.

The pain may be worse after sit for a while, get up from a chair, squat, run or climb stairs.

8

Strains or sprains

Excessive physical activity, inadequate warm-ups It is little flexibility in stretching are some factors that can result in muscle tears.

“Sprains are ligament injuries that can occur due to ruptures or excessive stretching. Both strains and sprains are caused by abrupt twist It is unnatural of the muscles”, says the doctor.

Like this pain It is swelling, discoloration It is bruises are other characteristic symptoms of these problems.