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What causes knee pain?

Mar 22, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Chen Jian
Introduction
Knee pain may be caused by sports injuries, joint wear and tear, knee synovitis, traumatic arthritis, or other reasons. The appropriate solution depends on the specific cause and medical treatment should be sought promptly, following the doctor's instructions. Excessive exercise or improper exercise techniques can lead to strains or tears in the muscles, ligaments, and other soft tissues around the knee, resulting in knee joint pain.

Generally speaking, the knee refers to the knee joint. Knee pain may be caused by sports injuries, joint wear and tear, knee joint synovitis, traumatic arthritis, and other reasons. The solution needs to be selected according to the specific cause. It is necessary to seek medical attention promptly and follow medical advice for treatment. Details are as follows:

1. Sports injury: Excessive exercise or improper exercise methods may cause strains or tears in the muscles, ligaments, and other soft tissues around the knee joint, leading to knee pain. This pain is usually caused by local inflammatory reactions and edema after soft tissue damage, which stimulates nerve endings. Rest should be increased, and continued exercise that may worsen the injury should be avoided.

2. Joint wear and tear: Factors such as obesity, rapid weight gain recently, long-term weight-bearing, overexertion, or neglecting to keep warm may all lead to increased pressure on the knee joint, exacerbating joint wear and causing local pain. Overexertion should be avoided, weight should be controlled, and joint warmth should be maintained.

3. Knee synovitis: Knee synovitis occurs when the synovial tissue becomes inflamed, swollen, and produces excess fluid due to external stimuli, cold exposure, wear and tear, and other factors, thereby stimulating nerve endings and causing pain. It may also be accompanied by swelling. Anti-inflammatory medications such as diclofenac sodium sustained-release tablets, ibuprofen granules, amoxicillin capsules, and others should be taken as directed by a physician.

4. Traumatic knee arthritis: After the knee joint sustains trauma, structures such as the meniscus and cruciate ligaments may be damaged, leading to arthritis. This inflammation causes joint swelling, pain, functional limitations, and joint stiffness. Medications such as Mailuotong Pills, Die Da Pills, and Shujin Huoxue Tablets should be used under medical guidance to improve blood circulation and reduce swelling and pain.

5. Gouty arthritis: Gouty arthritis is caused by abnormal purine metabolism in the body, leading to deposition of uric acid salts in joints such as the knee joint, which triggers inflammatory reactions and pain. Joint deformities may also occur. Under a doctor's guidance, medications such as benzbromarone tablets, colchicine tablets, allopurinol tablets, and others may be used to lower blood uric acid levels.

Patients should strengthen joint protection, avoid overexertion and injuries, to prevent the occurrence of knee pain.

References

[1] Chen Xiao Ping, Wang Jian Ping, Zhao Ji Zong. Surgery [M]. People's Medical Publishing House, 2018.

[2] Jia Jin Jie, Ma Jian Wen. Research Progress on Clinical Treatment and Prognosis of Knee Osteoarthritis. Clinical Personalized Medicine, 2024.

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