Perhaps because sore knees hurt more, or the potential for surgery looms large. Even slight pain in the knees can add an elevated level of mental distress.
Knee pain comes in from various issues. It could be caused by an injury like a ruptured ligament or torn cartilage. It could be the result of a condition like gout, arthritis, or an infection. Sometimes it might be the result of added weight or walking gait.
Many types of minor knee pain can be treated easily at home. Sometimes the pain may require a professional approach. You might need to see a doctor if the pain is accompanied by:
- An inability to put weight on the knee
- Extreme weakness, like the knee, is unstable or will give out
- Noticeable swelling
- Inability to fully extend or flex the joint
- Notice an obvious deformity
- Fever, redness, pain, swelling in the knee
- Severe knee pain associated with an injury
But for those of you who feel occasional shooting pain, stiffness, or manageable soreness, it might not be anything to worry about. It could simply be slight overuse, a little too much stress, or how you’re walking.
At-home knee treatment can start from the ground up. Sometimes pain in your knees – or even your back – can begin at your feet or ankles. If your ankles pronate when you walk, or even if you’re regularly standing or walking in low-quality footwear, you can feel it in your knees.
This fix can be as simple as heading to the shoe store to buy a pair of sneakers explicitly designed to support walking or running. In some cases, orthotics may be required.
Managing weight can be another effective measure to remove stress from the knees. A healthier diet and more activity can help to achieve this.
Working to strengthen the muscles around the joint, like your quadriceps, hamstrings, and calves, can also protect your knees from the stress that can contribute to pain.