What's Behind Those Achy Knees

While all of the joints in your body work hard, there’s a good case to be made for your knees working the hardest. Day in and day out, your knees carry you through life, so when these major joints ache, your life can become a little smaller and more uncomfortable.

You're certainly not alone in this — more than 36% of adults in the United States report issues with lower limb pain, and achy knees account for a large part. 

At SOAR Spine and Orthopedics, our team sees these same large numbers surrounding knee pain, and we want to share some of the more common drivers of achy knees.

Aging and arthritic knees

Since we’re discussing achy knees, this symptom largely stems from chronic wear-and-tear issues over acute injuries. Heading the list of chronic knee issues is osteoarthritis (OA), which affects about 33 million people in the US and is growing. 

While OA can strike any joint, the knees are at the front of the line. With knee OA, the cartilage inside the joint breaks down, allowing the bones to rub together, and this friction can lead to joint pain and inflammation.

There’s no cure for knee OA, which is a degenerative form of arthritis, but there are ways in which we can help you move more freely. For example, we can administer corticosteroid injections that tackle joint pain and inflammation, which buys you time to take steps to strengthen your knees through individualized exercises. We can also outfit you with a supportive brace to take the pressure off the joints.

Patellofemoral pain syndrome

Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a catchall term for pain around the front of your knee and kneecap and it’s a common driver of achy knees. 

PFPS, which is also called runner’s knee, is more prevalent in women and active people. With PFPS, the tendons, ligaments, or cartilage surrounding your knee might be irritated due to overuse. Or, a structural issue might cause the problem where your kneecap doesn't glide well inside the joint.

The best way to determine what’s wrong is to see us for an evaluation. If we find that you have PFPS, we offer rehabilitation services that target and strengthen your knees.

Torn meniscus

Inside each of your knees are two wedge-shaped pieces of cartilage called menisci. These soft tissues act as shock absorbers between your thigh and shin bone.

If you have a meniscus tear in your knee, this is a fast road to achy and painful knees. In addition to the discomfort, you might experience clicking or locking in the affected knee.

It used to be that arthroscopic surgery was the go-to treatment for a torn meniscus, and it still plays a role, but physical therapy can also be effective.

The three conditions we outline above are the most common causes of achy knees, but not the only ones. Your next best step is to visit one of our orthopedic specialists to understand why your knees are sore and painful.

To move forward and to get you on the road to healthier knees, contact one of our offices in Santa Clara or Redwood City, California, today to schedule an appointment.