Treatment of knee pain with low-level laser therapy, also known as cold laser, reduces the inflammation, swelling deep in the joint. It has an enormous effect to reduce the effusion making the joint vitality back to a stable condition. It also releases the spasms of the tight muscles like a release of trigger points. The anti-inflammatory effect produced by laser therapy also provides the site of pain an opportunity to repair tissue and thus improve mobility. The therapy cannot reverse any physical damage of bone, tendon, nerve and other related structures but mainly play a role in the anti-inflammatory effect.
LLLT / Acupuncture Treatment
Common Known Conditions
Osteoarthritis Related Effusion.
Pre and Post Surgery Recovery.
Trauma Effusion.
Knee Sprain.
All Inflammatory Types of Effusion as described below.
Meniscal Injury/Bursitis.
Osgood-Schlatter Disease (Children).
Overview
Knee pain is a common problem that affects people of all age groups. Knee pain may be caused by an injury, such as a ruptured ligament or torn cartilage. Medical conditions such as arthritis, gout, and infections also can cause knee pain. Many types of minor knee pain respond appropriately to self-care measures. Physical therapy and knee braces also can prove helpful for relieving knee pain. In some cases, however, your knee may need surgery.
Causes
Injuries
A knee injury affects the ligaments, tendons or fluid-filled sacs, called bursae, that surround your knee joint along with the bones, cartilage, and ligaments that form the knee joint. Some of the more common knee injuries include:
- ACL injury. An ACL is an injury in which the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is torn. ACL is one of four ligaments that connect the shinbone to the thighbone. People who play basketball, soccer or other sports that require sudden changes in direction are mostly prone to this injury.
- Fractures. The bones of the knee, including the kneecap (patella), can break during collisions of a motor vehicle or falls. People who have osteoporosis have weakened bones. These people can have a knee fracture simply by stepping wrong.
- Torn meniscus. The meniscus is made of tough, rubbery cartilage. The meniscus acts as a shock absorber between the shinbone and the thighbone. The meniscus can tear if you suddenly twist your knee while bearing weight on it.
- Knee bursitis. Some knee injuries may result in inflammation in the bursae, which are the small sacs of fluid that cushion the outside of your knee joint for the smooth gliding of tendons and ligaments over the joint.
- Patellar tendinitis. Tendinitis is irritation and inflammation of one or more tendons. Tendons are the thick, fibrous tissues that attach muscles to bones. Runners, skiers, cyclists, and those involved in jumping sports and activities are more prone to develop inflammation in the patellar tendon. The patellar tendon connects the quadriceps muscle on the front of the thigh to the shinbone.
Mechanical Problems
Some examples of mechanical problems that can lead to knee pain include:
- Loose body. At times injury or degeneration of bone or cartilage can cause a piece of bone or cartilage to break off and float in the space of the joint. However, this may not create any problems unless the loose body interferes with the movement of the knee joint. In such cases, the effect is similar to a pencil caught in a door hinge.
- Iliotibial band syndrome. This situation occurs when the tough band of tissue that extends from the outside of your hip to the outside of your knee (iliotibial band) becomes very tight and rubs against the outer portion of the femur bone. Distance runners are more prone to iliotibial band syndrome.
- Dislocated kneecap. This happens when the triangular bone, called patella, that covers the front of your knee slips out of place, usually to the outside of your knee. Sometimes, the kneecap may stay displaced and you’ll be able to see the dislocation.
- Hip or foot pain. If you experience hip or foot pain, you may change the way you walk to help these painful joints. But this altered way of walking can place result in more stress being placed on your knee joint. In some cases, problems in the hip or foot can cause pain to the knee.
Types of Arthritis
Arthritis is nearly of more than 100 different types. The types most likely to affect the knee are:
Osteoarthritis
The most common type of arthritis that affects people is osteoarthritis. It is also known as degenerative arthritis. It’s a wear-and-tear condition that happens when the cartilage in your knee deteriorates due to use and age.
Rheumatoid arthritis
It is the most debilitating form of arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition. It can affect almost any joint in the body, including your knees. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease but it tends to differ in severity and may even come and go.
Gout
This type of arthritis occurs when uric acid crystals build up in the joint. Even though gout most commonly affects the big toe, it can also affect the knee.
Pseudogout
Pseudogout is a result of development of calcium-containing crystals in the joint fluid. It is often mistaken for gout. Pseudogout mostly affects the knee joints.
Septic arthritis
Sometimes knee joint can become infected. This causes swelling, pain, and redness. There is generally no trauma before the onset of pain. Septic arthritis is often accompanied with a fever.
Prevention
Although it’s not always possible to avoid knee pain, the following suggestions may help prevent injuries and joint deterioration:
- Control your Weight. Maintain a healthy weight as it is the best thing you can do for the knees. Extra pounds put additional strain on your joints. This increases the risk of injuries and osteoarthritis.
- Be in shape to play your sport. Your muscles should be ready for the demands of sports that you are participating in. Discuss with a coach or trainer to ensure that the technique and movement are the best they can be.
- Practice perfectly. Make sure the technique and movement patterns used by you in sports or activity are as best as possible. Lessons from a professional can prove to be very helpful.
- Get strong, stay flexible. As weak muscles are a major cause of knee injuries, it will be very beneficial for you to build your quadriceps and hamstrings, which support your knees. Balance and stability training is very beneficial for the muscles around your knees as these help them to work together more effectively. Stretching is important as tight muscles also can contribute to injury. Try to include exercise that helps enhance flexibility in your workouts.
Risk Factors For Knee Pain
Excess weight
Being overweight or obese increases stress on your knee joints, even during ordinary activities such as walking or going up and down the stairs. It also puts you at an increased risk of osteoarthritis by accelerating the breakdown of joint cartilage.
Lack of muscle flexibility or strength
Decreased strength and flexibility are one of the leading causes of knee injuries. Tight or weak muscles provide less support for your knee as they don’t absorb enough of the stress exerted on the joint.
Certain sports
Some sports lead to a greater stress on your knees as compared to others. Sports that increase your risk of knee injury include alpine skiing with its rigid ski boots during which one more prone to falls, basketball’s jumps and pivots, and the repeated pounding of the knees when you run or jog.
Previous injury
Having a previous knee injury increases your risk of injuring your knee again.
Symptoms
- Swelling and stiffness.
- Redness and warmth.
- Weakness or instability.
- Noises of popping or crunching.
- Lack of ability to fully straighten the knee
Complications
All knee pains are not severe. But some knee injuries and medical conditions, such as osteoarthritis, can cause increasing pain, joint damage, and disability if not treated. And having a knee injury, even a minor one,increases the risk of having similar injuries in the future.
Contact a Doctor
- Can’t bear weight on your knee.
- Have knee swelling.
- Lack of ability to fully extend or flex your knee.
- Observe a deformity in your leg or knee.
- Have a fever, along with redness, pain, and swelling in your knee.