The knee is vulnerable due to its exposed position. When you think about it, over the course of your life, it takes a beating due to all the walking, running, and jumping you have done (to say the least). Trauma to the knee joint can certaintly cause problems, but so can everyday wear and tear.
A.) How do you Determine the Cause of Knee Pain?
If you get severe knee pain while walking, chances are the pain would not have been caused by the walking itself. Different tests and overall physical observations will help your physician determine the status of your knee injury. Some of these include:
1.) Your age
2.) Whether your knee has suffered an injury at some point in the past
3.) Exactly where the knee pain is (front or back of the knee, inside or outside section of the joint)
4.) Did the knee pain start suddenly or has it come on gradually over time?
5.) What are the activities that bring on the knee pain?
B.) What are the Common Knee Pain Symptoms?
In addition to determining what caused the knee pain, you will also need to consider the exact symptoms you are suffering from in order to be able to get the right treatment. Many typical knee pain symptoms include:
1.) Locking (where you cannot straighten or bend your knee)
2.) Popping or snapping sensation in the knee
3.) Giving way (feeling as if your knee is giving way when you walk)
4.) Inability to put weight on the knee
5.) Grinding feeling
6.) Swelling and whether this appeared suddenly following injury or appeared more slowly
7.) Worsening knee pain when walking or bending the knee
C.) What are the Possible Causes of Knee Pain when Walking?
The following are just some of the more common factors that cause severe knee pain when walking:
1.) Tendonitis - Tendonitis is an inflammation or irritation of the tendons. In addition to having a swelling in the front of the knees, if you suffer from severe knee pain when walking and it feels worse while climbing stairs or when running, then you may have tendonitis.
2.) Meniscus injuries - Meniscus injuries are caused by a tear in the cartilage in your knee joint. This can cause severe pain in the knee and a feeling that you cannot straighten out the knee. There may also be some fluid build up (edema).
3.) Bursitis - Inflammation of the cushioning fluid sacs in the knee causes bursitis. If you have bursitis, your knees will be stiff and swollen and they will feel painful even when you are not walking.
4.) Knee arthritis- Knee arthritis involves stiffness, swelling and knee pain when walking.
D.) What Can be Done About Severe Knee Pain when Walking?
If you are having difficulty with knee pain when walking, then it is a good idea to talk with your physician to determine the cause. Various treatment methods exist, and each of which depends on how bad your knee pain may be. They could include the use of pain killers, rest, and maybe surgery (speak with your physican about any medications you may be taking).
A knee brace is one of the most effective ways to protect your knee from further injury or whilst recovering from surgery. The support helpts to increase knee stability and to help prevent movements that can irritate your knee further. Other options for self help include ice packs, rest and elevation and compression bandaging to prevent fluid build-up. Physical therapy is extremely beneficial as it strengthens the supporting muscles, which then help to stabilize your knee and reduce the severe knee pain when walking.
Knee supports can be very beneficial because they can be obtained very rapidly and they are quite affordable. Braces are beneficial because they help add extra stability physically, but they can also help someone feel more secure mentally. This confidence is relative to the knee, and many times people like the support they get physically, but equally love the mental support they get from the brace.
Andrew Sims
Author Bio
If you are tired of your knee pain then you should consider a light weight, low profile brace to help add meaningful support. Check us out today at http://www.drbraceco.com to find an affordable knee brace.
