Knee pain is a common phenomenon that plagues most of the people irrespective of their age. It can be the outcome of a torn cartilage or a ruptured ligament. Medical complications, such as infections, gout or arthritis (painful inflammation and stiffness of the joints) can also give way to knee pain. Minor knee pain can be eased by self-care remedies such as physical therapy or by putting on knee braces. However, few complications might demand surgical repair. Pain can be managed by the pain management specialists.

Tips to manage knee pain

1. Medications such as naproxen, ibuprofen and acetaminophen can be administered to help remedy knee pain.
2. You can seek relief by massaging your knees with ointments constituting of a number of agents such as capsaicin or lidocaine.
3. Keep away from your usual chores to prevent repetitive strains on the knees, thus, allowing the injury to heal as well as to stay safe from further damage.
4. Applying an ice pack in a towel can ease the inflammation and pain. But do not extend its usage for more than 20 minutes because that might harm the skin and nerves.
5. Compression bandages can inhibit fluid accumulation in the damaged tissues aiding knee alignment stability. Ensure that it is tight enough to render support to your knees without actually obstructing blood circulation.
6. To pacify the swelling, try resting your sore leg on a pillow (the idea here is to keep the affected leg elevated to reduce further pain).
7. Shed off your extra pounds as being overweight increases chances of other disorders such as osteoarthritis.
8. Go for regular work outs to enhance and maintain the flexibility of your muscles as excessively weak or abnormally tight muscles can contribute to injuries. Be smart while choosing your method of exercise based on the condition you are suffering from.

Knee Pain - 8 Effective Ways to Manage it

Calcium is known for its role in maintaining the bone health, from keeping your teeth stronger to normal functioning of the cells.  But there are various factors, which lead to a deficiency of calcium in the human body and paves the way for several complications.

Here are the top three signs that indicate you are suffering from calcium deficiency.

Difficulty in sleeping: Sleep is essential for your bone health and calcium is directly associated with your sleep cycle. The level of calcium in your bones rises and falls when you are asleep and it reaches its peak when you are in deep slumber. This indicates that when you are unable to sleep properly, it is a warning sign of calcium deficiency. There are various researches that have confirmed, that by increasing the level of calcium, it is possible to restore the normal sleep cycle of an individual. This is also related to the role that calcium plays in the production of a sleep hormone called melatonin. When the calcium content in the body is really low, this hormone is not produced, thus, making it difficult for a person to sleep.
Difficulty in losing extra pounds: Yet another frustrating aspect of any individual s life is the inability to shed off excess pounds. This issue is also linked with the lack of calcium supply in the body. The calcium that s stored in the cells assists in the processing and storage of fat. So the fat cells with high calcium content burn faster, making you lose weight. Thus, if you have trouble losing weight in spite of having a well-regulated diet and regular workout, it s a sign that you are suffering from low calcium.
Paresthesia: Though this ailment is not much heard of, it could be a sign of calcium deficiency. Paresthesia is a nervous disorder, which causes tingling sensation, tremors, numbness and loss of sensitivity. It could also lead to poor concentration, amnesia, confusion, hearing impairment, twitches and other physical as well as neurological impairment. This is because low calcium in the blood is connected with the health of your nerves.
The deficiency of calcium can manifest itself in different intensity, ranging from the non-existent to minimal to severe levels. Chronic calcium deficiency can lead to life-threatening diseases like rickets, osteopenia, and even osteoporosis. Therefore, you shouldn t ignore these signs and consult an expert without delay.

Calcium Deficiency - 3 Signs You are Suffering from it

Like other knee injuries, the torn meniscus can be painful and debilitating. But unfortunately, it is quite common. In fact, a torn meniscus is one of the most frequently occurring cartilage injuries of the knee.

What is Meniscus? 

A meniscus is a C-shaped piece of cartilage present in the knee that acts as a cushion and stabilizes the joint. Its function is to protect the knee from wear and tear. Two menisci are present in each of the knee joints. They can get damaged or torn during activities, which puts pressure on the knee joint or may rotate it.

What causes a meniscus to tear? 

A quick stop or vigorous twist may force the femur to crumble into the top of the tibia. It may potentially tear out the cartilage of the meniscus. It may also occur while doing deep squats or kneeling, especially while lifting a heavyweight. Athletic activities often result in this knee injury, particularly in the sportspersons such as footballers and hockey players. Sports that involve sudden stopping and pivoting such as tennis and basketball may also result in the torn meniscus. Meniscus tears are a special risk in elder people as the cartilage weakens and wears thin over time. As the age progresses, worn tissues become more prone to tears. Just a clumsy twist while getting up from the bed or chair is sometimes enough to cause a tear in case of weakened menisci due to aging.

Symptoms of a meniscus tear: One may hear a popping sound around the knee joint when a meniscus tear occurs. Initially, the pain may not bad but once the inflammation sets in, the knee starts hurting quite a bit. The knee may get stiff or locked. It may become difficult to move the knee in a full range of motion.

Diagnosis of a Meniscus Tear: Diagnosis of a meniscus tear starts with the patient s history and a physical examination. The doctor inspects, palpates, and applies specific diagnostic maneuvers to diagnose a torn meniscus. The McMurray test is used to make the clinical diagnosis of a meniscus tear. The doctor flexes the knee, then straightens and rotates it to put tension on a torn meniscus. The movement will cause a clicking sound if a meniscus tear is present in the knee. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is the preferred choice to diagnose the torn meniscus. This technique allows the doctor to evaluate the knee cartilage in a more detailed way.

Treatment of Torn Meniscus: The treatment of a torn meniscus depends on the severity and the location of the tear. If the size of the tear is small and the location is on the outer end of the meniscus, a surgical repair is usually not required. Give rest to your knee as much as possible. The doctor may advise using crutches to avoid putting weight on the legs. Icing the knee every three to four hours for 30 minutes is recommended for this injury. You may use compress bandage to reduce the inflammation. Try to keep the knee in an elevated position to reduce the swelling. NSAIDs may be prescribed to get relief from pain and inflammation. If the symptoms persist, the doctor may advise for an arthroscopic surgery.

Torn Meniscus - What Exactly Is It? 

Simple exercises for relief from knee pain

A lot of people suffer from knee pain, some hereditary, some due to injuries and some due to other reasons. Whatever be the reasons, the pain is very bothersome. 

Try the following exercises regularly to get relief from knee pain.

1. Leg lifts - sit straight on a chair with your feet firmly on the ground. Lift the leg for which the knee pains, until it is parallel to the ground. Hold for a couple of seconds and bring back to the initial position. Do 10 reps every day.

2. Knee bending - sit on a chair and keep a stool of same height as the chair in front of you. Place your knee on the stool, knee slightly bent. Slowly, straighten your leg and hold in the straight position for a couple of seconds before you release. Do 10 reps.

3. Leg straightening - stand straight and place the foot on a low platform. Bend down, place both your palms on the knee and slowly push it down until your leg is straight. Push only as far as it doesn't hurt too much. Hold for a few seconds and release.

4. Stretching - sit upright. Bring your leg towards your chest by bending the knee and keeping your hand above the ankle. Push your heel towards your buttocks. Release after a couple of seconds.

5. Chair pulling - stand straight near a door keeping your feet apart (shoulder-width), in front of a chair. Hold the knob of the door and slowly, sit back on the chair. Feel the pull in the muscles and go back to previous position after 2-3 seconds. Repeat.

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5 Only Exercises For Easy Relief From Knee Pain

Knee pain is something that can affect anyone - irrespective of their age. While sometimes it may be of minor importance - and can easily be handled by self-care, often, lingering pain is a manifestation of some other serious underlying problem, such as arthritis. In this case, it is imperative that you consult a doctor and take appropriate measures to combat it.

Causes :

Arthritis: The chief cause of lingering knee pain, arthritis itself can be of a number of types:
 Osteoarthritis, which is a result of deterioration of cartilages due to wear and tear
 Rheumatoid Arthritis, an inflammatory chronic disorder
 Septic Arthritis, causing pain, swelling and redness.
 Gout caused due to the development of uric acid crystals in the joints
Fractures: These are caused by the breaking up of the kneecap due to falls or collisions.
ACL Injuries: Caused due to the tearing of the anterior cruciate ligament (that connects the femur and the shinbone). Especially common in sportspersons such as footballers or basketball players.
Meniscus tears: The meniscus or the rubber-like cartilage (that acts as a shock absorber) can be torn by sudden jerks or excess pressure.

Symptoms:The major symptoms of knee pain include weakness, redness, instability, stiffness or the inability to properly straighten or move the leg. Often, a deformity is also visible, such as a bone sticking out of the leg - in which case it is advisable to consult a doctor immediately.

Possible risks :Factors which include the odds of being inflicted by knee pain and cause serious complications include :
Being overweight: This exponentially increases the stress or pressure that is applied on the knee joints - even in doing mundane tasks like walking up and down stairs.
Excessive physical activity: Some activities, such as sports apply excess stress on the knees as compared to other tasks.
Loss of muscle flexibility: Tightness or weakness in muscles causes increasing number of problems in the knees.

All About Knee Pain

Your knees are one of the most vulnerable parts of your bodies. In case of strenuous or vigorous activities, knees are more prone to damage and injury than the other parts. Several of the knee tissues are fairly delicate and often are easily impaired. Among the other knee tissue injuries, meniscus tears are perhaps the most frequent. Meniscus is essentially a cartilage that protects and stabilizes the knee joints. However, an untoward twist or a strain can lead to a tear in the meniscus. Meniscus tears are a common phenomenon among athletes and sportsmen. They have been noted to be more recurrent in older individuals. 

Some of the early symptoms that indicate the onset of a meniscus tear are swelling and difficulty in bending or straightening of the leg. Sometimes a" locking sensation" in the knees also forebodes a torn meniscus. The inflammation potentially causes a lot of pain and irritation. While, it is fairly easy to ignore a meniscus tear for a normal knee injury, prolonged overlooking may only aggravate the pain and worsen the condition. The process of diagnosing a meniscus tear usually involves an mri scan and an x-ray examination, over and above a detailed evaluation of the wound.

Treating meniscus tears vary according to the extent of the injury. Depending upon the location and the depth of the tear, various cures can be tried. The healing process, however, depends upon other allied factors such as age, level of physical activities and one's medical history. An external and minor injury is easily mendable. Whereas, graver injuries are resolved through surgical means. The other non-operative means include certain prescribed medicines and specific exercises. Some of the recommended ways of battling a meniscus tear can be enlisted as:

1. Resting the knee by limiting the activities that involve excessive use of the legs or they may potentially strain the leg muscles.
2. Applying ice pack can significantly bring relief to the swelling and the pain in the injured knee. Doctors advice regular use for a duration of at least 15 days.
3. Compressing the knee using an elastic bandage or neoprene sleeve reduces the swelling in the knee.
4. Prescribed medicines in the likes of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can be effective remedies for a meniscus tear. However, one must mandatorily consult a doctor before consuming such medicines.

All About Torn Meniscus

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