Pain in the knee from the outside of the side: treatment, causes

Pain in the knee often occurs suddenly, interferes with movement and live a full life. But not everyone is in a hurry with this problem to the doctor. What is the cause of the pain and does it require treatment?

The structure of the knee joint

First, we will understand the structure of the knee joint. After all, if a person feels pain in the knee laterally from the outside, the treatment will be administered after revealing the source of this pain. The connection of the two bones - the femoral and tibial bones - as a shield, is covered with a kneecap. In the lower part of the joint are condyles - these are two hills on the femur, covered with cartilaginous tissue. On the tibia there is a so-called plateau, which, when walking, interacts with the condyles. The ends of the two bones and the patella are covered with a cartilaginous layer, this improves depreciation and reduces friction. In the bonding between the bones participate connective tissue and ligaments: lateral, medial and cruciform (posterior and anterior).

Between the bones are menisci, consisting of cartilaginous tissue. They have an important function: distribute the body weight evenly over the surface of the tibial plateau. The joint is surrounded by muscles: quadriceps, tailor, bicuspid thin, popliteal. They provide movement. The knee joint has neural weave. This includes the peroneal, sciatic and tibial nerves. And, of course, the circulatory system nourishes all parts of the knee joint. Near the blood pass lymphatic vessels. The joint has three periarticular bags (bursa). They are located in front of the kneecap, at the bottom of the knee and under the large tendon. They perform a protective function.

Injuries

The structure of the knee joint enables a person to move in a variety of ways. But damage to any component can disable the entire joint and deliver a lot of inconvenience. What can cause pain in the knee from the outside of the side? First of all, it can be injuries, stretching, rupture of muscles and ligaments. Usually they are received by active people who are engaged in sports, during training or competitions.

But you can tear ligaments by simply stumbling on high heels. Most often, sprain and ligament rupture is accompanied by swelling and the appearance of a hematoma at the site of the injury. If the outer lateral ligament is damaged, there will be a pain in the knee laterally from the outside. The specialist will be able to identify the nature of damage after carrying out arthroscopy. Based on its results, treatment will be prescribed: fixation with a tire, elastic bandage, bandage, resting the joint. With a complete rupture of ligaments, a surgical operation may be necessary.

Damage to the meniscus

Menisci are most susceptible to damage among other parts of the knee, this is the most fragile element. Symptoms: sound may appear when flexing the joint, edema develops, local temperature rises. Patient menisci can not be overlooked, since they interfere with the full performance of the bending of the leg. With inflammation of the meniscus, there is pain in the knee laterally from the outside when you descend the stairs.

Treatment is based on the complexity of the damage. There are times when the meniscus comes off completely. Then you can not do without surgical intervention and removal of the meniscus. If the lesions are not so serious, the treatment is performed by typical methods: physiotherapy (ultrasound or laser restoration), joint fixation, pain and swelling, therapeutic gymnastics, medication. Rehabilitation usually takes several weeks, it may take about three months for a complete recovery. Prolonged refusal of treatment can lead to complications, such as a cyst.

Osteoarthritis

Most often, the cause of arthrosis is the age-related changes, when the cartilaginous tissue wears out. Less commonly, arthrosis occurs because of heavy physical exertion and hereditary predisposition in young people. The development of the disease is slow, subtle, with the subsequent increase in the manifestation of symptoms. First, arthrosis reveals itself as a characteristic sound when flexing and flexing the joint, and there is pain in the knee laterally from the outside when walking. These symptoms can last for a long time without change. People usually do not hurry to treat them to the doctor in the hope that everything will pass by itself. And the cartilaginous tissue continues to thinner. Acquisition of a more acute form of the disease manifests itself as an increase in symptoms, knee pain from the outside of the side will be felt not only during walking, but also at rest. After rest, difficulty in movement is observed. The leg seems to "twist". With the advanced stage of arthrosis, bone tissue deforms, which affects even the gait of the patient. To avoid this before, you need to contact a specialist at the first sign of the disease, when the cartilage can still be saved.

In addition to medicines, how can you ease the pain in the knee from the side from the outside? Treatment with folk remedies is carried out only in conjunction with the main therapy prescribed by a doctor. This can only be an adjunct to drug treatment, but not a substitute for it. Relieve the pain and remove swelling will help compress from the infusion of burdock leaves or celandine.

Arthritis

It occurs in people of different ages. Symptoms of it are similar to arthrosis, but the nature of the disease is quite different. Arthritis is often chronic and associated with the general condition of the body. It can cause microorganisms, injuries, problems in the immune system. Arthritis can be not only an independent diagnosis, but also a manifestation of other diseases, for example, rheumatism. Treatment should begin with the identification of the cause and its elimination. Therapy is strictly individual for each patient. To eliminate the inflammatory process in the joint, injections of anti-inflammatory drugs are used.

Bursitis

Bursitis - inflammation of the articular bags. Occurs for many reasons, it could be infections, the effects of arthritis, trauma or physical overload. It can provoke pathogenic microorganisms. Previously transmitted infectious diseases can go on as a complication in bursitis. Also, pathogens can enter the knee through an open wound with trauma. As a result, articular bags become inflamed and cause great discomfort, pain in the knee laterally from the outside with pressure, and even an increase in body temperature.

It begins quickly with a sharp pain, increasing with movement. Above the patella can form edema. With a mild form of bursitis, anti-inflammatory and pain medications are prescribed. If the inflammation is severe, resort to more serious measures - puncture to remove fluid from the joint or surgery.

Tendonitis

Like bursitis, it is also an inflammatory disease, but ligaments and tendons are affected with it. Foci of inflammation are the places of attachment of tendons to the bone. Typically, the disease affected professional athletes. The cause may be trauma, infection, or abnormal tendon development in childhood. Sometimes tendonitis occurs with a long leg in an uncomfortable position.

Symptoms may be swelling, increased pain in the knee laterally from the outside when flexing, with muscle contraction. Painful can be lifting from a chair or on stairs. Pain is also felt during palpation, redness can appear around the diseased knee. Diagnosis of the disease can be done using a blood test and an X-ray. Treat anti-inflammatory drugs, for a faster relief of symptoms, inject directly into the joint. In addition to medicines, the patient is prescribed complete rest and lack of physical exertion.

Flat-footedness

It would seem that independent of each other factors, but the flat feet can also cause pain in the knee from the outer side of the side. What is the reason? With flatfoot, the weight of the body can not be properly distributed in the foot. This causes the knees to take an extra load on themselves. This is especially noticeable with increasing weight and pregnancy. In the body of a pregnant woman, hormones (estrogen, progesterone), which promote muscle relaxation, are secreted in an increased amount.

The foot does not cope, and all the load moves to the knee joint, hence the pain in the knee from the outer side of the side. It is no longer possible to correct this situation for an adult person, but one can at least alleviate its manifestations. It is necessary to wear comfortable shoes that support the arch of the foot, excellent for this fit sneakers. Also do not spend a lot of time on your feet.

Osteochondrosis

In this disease of the spine, pain in the knees is also not excluded. Spinal cerebral nerves are pinched, because of this, processes that destroy the cartilaginous and connective tissue of the knee joint can develop. Due to the violation of innervation and circulation, periarthritis develops. Most often, he suffers from saphenous joints. The disease most often affects young people and middle-aged people. Treatment is carried out by eliminating the infringement of nerve endings and subsequent health-improving physical education.