There are a number of possible causes for a person having Knee pain. Diagnosis of the problem can range from a basic visual examination through a scan using an MRI for knee pain.
The causes of knee pain are many and varied, from sports injuries and fall to chronic diseases such as osteoarthritis, arthritis or gout. Knee pain requires treatment so that the quality of life of the patient with pain is not lost. In principle, we can differentiate between two major cases that we treat at the pharmacy:
The most severe pain, such as that derived from fractures or bone cancer, is not treated at the pharmacy, since severe pain must always be evaluated by a doctor. In the pharmacy, we can give some relief to knee pain, but it is important that the cause is properly diagnosed and the correct treatment is established for both the pain and the reason that caused it.
There are some cases of knee pain where it is important to see a doctor:
The two big cases we see are treated in very different ways:
Sports-type injuries or light blows are usually treated initially with cold and pain relievers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol. The cold should not be applied with ice placed directly on the skin, as you can get a cold burn.
It is best to use ice packs (such as hot water but designed to hold ice) or a cold gel pack that is frozen and applied to the joint through a cloth, or even a cold spray. At first, you can apply cold for fifteen minutes every hour, but then you can reduce it to about 4 times a day.
It is not necessary to use a powerful pain reliever at this time: if paracetamol and ibuprofen together with the cold do not treat the knee pain, it is important to see a doctor.
Chronic knee pain is more complex to treat, as it has a significant impact on the patient’s life and pain medications cannot always be used for long periods of time. The first and foremost thing is to treat the disease that causes it. If it is lupus, the doctor will adjust the medication to treat the outbreak so that it does not recur later.
In case of gout, you will be given medication to prevent uric acid levels in the blood from rising. If it is advanced osteoarthritis, there may be a need for surgery, etc. Once the disease is stabilized, depending on the pain, treatment with analgesics will be established.
The first medication that a doctor usually considers to be used for longer than a couple of weeks is paracetamol, because it controls pain quite well and because it is the analgesic that is best tolerated by the body for a long time.
The recommended doses are usually two or three grams daily, depending on the patient’s situation. On the other hand, when ibuprofen is used long-term, problems appear in the stomach, in the kidneys, and blood pressure rises, among other possible complications.
In addition, ibuprofen cannot be combined with a long series of medications, so it is prescribed on an occasional basis to relieve knee pain but not for long-term treatment. There are other pain relievers such as coxibs or opioids, but they also have their problems,
To begin with, it is essential that a patient with chronic knee pain has an adequate body weight. Being overweight puts stress on the knees and hinders their function, so if you suffer from knee pain and are overweight it is important that you lose weight.
If you have doubts about which is your best option, because the pain is intense or you have other health problems, speak with your family doctor, with your trusted physio, and with a nutritionist, who will surely be able to recommend solutions that adapt to your situation.
The right exercise to your possibilities will also play an important role in controlling knee pain. The more you manage to strengthen the muscles that surround the knee and the rest of your body, the more you will be able to unload the injured knee, gaining freedom of movement without pain and quality of life.
Depending on the health problem you have, you can walk on the flat, swim or do some other light exercise. Check with your doctor or physical therapist to find out what you can do, and what exercises you should avoid.
There will be days of more pain, in which you will have to rest, and there will be days that you will be better, and these are the ones that you should take advantage of to move to the extent of your possibilities. Thus, not only will you gain quality of life, but you will also avoid abusing painkillers.