Around 15 crore Indians are suffering from knee pain and the majority among them are in the age group of 55 years and above. Knee pain is one of the leading causes of disability among older women and men. Knee pain can be of many types but the most common symptom faced by everyone around the globe is that the pain increases with increasing age.
Knee pain is a common complaint that affects almost all age groups, but older people are the most susceptible. Knee pain can be the result of a previous injury, ligament rupture, or cartilage.
The good thing is that the patient can avoid it with proper precautions and suitable knee pain treatments and home remedies. Ice and heat therapy is the most popular knee pain home remedy in Indian households. The good thing is that if someone suffers from knee pain, there are cures for it.
Knee pain in the elderly is most common because as we age the movement of the joints reduces. It becomes stiffer and less flexible. It occurs because the lubricating fluid in our joints decreases. As a result, more wear and tear of the joints occur. It affects the surrounding muscles and nerves which causes pain. The bone becomes weak and more prone to fractures, which take a long recovery time.
Knee pain in the elderly can be caused due to many reasons some of them are:
The most common cause of knee pain is osteoarthritis and arthritis.
Due to side effects of any previous injury.
Tear of any ligament.
Due to bone fractures in an earlier stage of life.
Sitting in a constrained area.
Sitting on knees for a prolonged period.
Knee injury.
Infections.
Types of arthritis.
Gout or pseudogout: gout is a type of arthritis that is caused when uric acids; which are the wastes of our body, get collected in the joints.
Depending on the type and cause of the problem the location of the pain may vary from person to person. The most common and widely seen symptoms are:
Swelling and stiffness of the joint.
Redness and sensitivity to touch.
Propping or crushing sounds when the joints are rotated or any movement is done.
Weakness
Instability
Weaker balance and inability to stand properly.
Difficulty in shifting positions or standing up quickly from a seated position.
Inability to fully straighten the leg or knee.
The various causes of knee pain in the elderly can be due to a particular or more than one type of knee problem.
Osteoarthritis: It occurs when the flexible tissues of the knee wear off. The symptoms of osteoarthritis are knee pain, joint stiffness and low back pain.
Arthritis: inflammation of one or more than one joint causes arthritis. It worsens with old age. The knee can become affected by any form of arthritis. The symptoms are extremely uncomfortable pain, joint pain and decreased range of motion.
Rheumatoid arthritis: is an auto-immune disorder and the body starts to destroy its own cells. It is a chronic disease and it can almost affect any type of joint of the body.
Gout: it is a type of arthritis that occurs when the crystals of uric acids get accumulated in the joints.
Pseudogout: pseudogout is different from gout as it occurs due to the accumulation of calcium-containing crystals in the joint fluid.
Septic arthritis: it occurs due to an infection in the joints. It can quickly cause extensive damage to the entire knee cartilage. It occurs with fever and pain in the joints.
Torn meniscus: it is a common injury in which the tissue tears because of any forceful twisting. The common symptoms of a torn meniscus are knee pain, swelling of the knee, redness and sensitivity to touch and limited range of movement.
Iliotibial band syndrome: a painful condition in which the connective tissue rubs against the thigh bone. The pain can spread to the entire leg affecting the knee region. The symptoms are knee, leg and hip pain.
As knee pain can occur due to previous medical history of any injury. So, it is better to take care of any injury properly.
It is advisable not to leave any treatment in the middle and continue to take medicines for as long as prescribed by the doctor. (note: it is advisable to contact a doctor before trying out the medications)
Staying at a healthy weight: regular workouts, taking healthy and nutritious foods, getting enough sleep, drinking plenty of water and leading a healthy lifestyle.
Controlling blood sugar levels from an early stage.
Controlling other chronic illnesses like high or low blood pressure.
Regular stretching and exercises.
Doing yoga and going out for walks.
Quit smoking.
Getting enough protein from the diet.
It is better to prevent any injury.
The pain might be in control but the medications usually continue. For some people, the pain disappears and then comes back again if the medication is stopped. In some cases, if the medication is not taken properly, the infection can occur that might spread to other parts worsening the condition.
For complete knowledge of recovery, the patients should contact their doctor because the recovery process varies from person to person.
Around 90% of elderly people suffering from knee and joint pain can return to their normal activities after treatment.
For people suffering from knee and joint pain, the following home remedies and practices can help control the pain.
Compression Bandages: Compression bandages are like knee bandages that help to position the knee, eliminate congestion, and support it. The professionally applied white tape has the same effect.
The patient can place their feet on a pillow or something a little taller to support the joint.
The patient can take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as painkillers, to reduce pain and swelling. (Note: It is recommended to consult a doctor before trying the medicine)
Ice and hyperthermia therapy: Some people like the cold sensation in affected areas, while others like the warmth. Both ice and hot therapy can reduce pain, swelling and bruising. The patient can choose the medium according to their preference. It is necessary to keep a layer between the skin and ice or heated substances. A 20-minute application is sufficient to relieve pain and provide comfort.
The doctor may suggest giving a corticosteroid injection to improve lubrication. In such a case, the patient must visit the doctor regularly and take proper medications as prescribed. (note: it is advisable to contact a doctor before trying out the medications)
Getting physical therapy
(note: it should be done under the supervision of any professional)
Trying out massage therapy and acupuncture to release pain.
(note: it should be done under the supervision of any professional
Resolve360 is a promising online platform where one can receive treatment in the comfort of their own home.
Sick patients don’t need to worry about traveling long distances to get diagnosed.
The patients can save up time and can utilize that time to take care of themselves.
Live sessions are conducted so that the patients can have face-to-face interactions with their assigned doctors.
Building trust is really important. So, we always try our best to provide the maximum support to the patients to make them feel comfortable.
We always schedule the timings of the meetings based on the patient’s preference. Rescheduling can also be done if there are any problems.
When a patient comes to our doctor, it becomes the responsibility of our doctor to give them a healthy life.
We guarantee that the doctors will never leave their patients.
The patients can openly talk about their problems, and we assure that the information will be between the patients and the doctors only.
Our doctors plan every step necessary for their patients, starting from planning out exercises to drafting their diet charts.
The doctors on the platform are extremely reliable and are certified professionals with experience.
It is a platform that provides solutions to every problem, starting with home remedies to prescribed medications.
The patient’s trust is our confidence!
Disclaimer: The above-mentioned remedies and medicines; are over the counter medicines and are effective in most cases. It is advisable to contact your doctor before taking any medications.
Dr. Nidhi
She has persuaded her bachelor’s from SGT University, Gurugram, she has done her internship at Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, and persuade her Master in Physiotherapy from Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut. She has previously worked with Orthocure clinic, Dr.Nasir physiotherapy rehabilitation, Quantum physiotherapy, and wellness center.
If you have more questions.
Dr. Nidhi
She has persuaded her bachelor’s from SGT University, Gurugram, she has done her internship at Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, and persuade her Master in Physiotherapy from Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut. She has previously worked with Orthocure clinic, Dr.Nasir physiotherapy rehabilitation, Quantum physiotherapy, and wellness center.
If you have more questions.