Prime Healthcare Internal Medicine Group

Knee Pain, Back Pain

Knee Pain

The constant use of the lower extremities makes them an easy target for injury and pain, specifically in the knees and feet. Walking, sitting and standing all put pressure on our knees and feet, while most athletic activities rely on them as well. Knee and foot pain are common ailments that affect thousands of people in the US each year. These symptoms may be a result of the same condition or can be completely separate. It is important to determine the source of the pain in order to successfully treat these conditions.

Knee Structure

The knee is a hinge joint that connects the thigh bone (femur) to the lower leg bones (tibia and fibula) and the kneecap (patella). Like other joints in the body, the knee is made up of tendons and ligaments, as well as cartilage structures like menisci and bursae. The tendons and ligaments provide strength and stability and allow the knee to evenly carry the weight of the body, while the cartilage structures allow for smooth, fluid movements.

Causes of Knee Pain

Any of these structures can be damaged by injury, disease or other conditions that may result in knee pain. Knee pain is often a result of:

Trauma
Overuse
Sudden turning movements

Awkward landings from falls
Infection
Degeneration.

Injury is one of the most common causes of knee pain and can sprain, strain or bruise any of the joint structures. Bones can fracture as a result of major trauma. Degenerative diseases like arthritis are also a common cause of knee pain, as they cause the cartilage between the bones to wear away. Bursitis is an inflammation of the bursae.

Because of the different structures involved, amount of use and wide range of diseases and injuries, knee pain can greatly vary. Pain may be severe ad constant, or may be more of a dull ache that comes and goes. You may have difficulty walking or standing, experience stiffness or loss of motion. A fever can also be present if the pain is caused by an infection. Injury to the knee is likely to cause sudden, severe pain, while pain caused by disease may be more gradual and mild.

Knee pain is more likely to affect people who:

Are overweight or obese
Exert excessive use of the knee
Play high-risk sports

Are older
Lack muscle strength and flexibility

Back Pain

The lower back is one of the most important parts of the body, as it holds most of our body weight when we stand and is involved in the movement when we bend or twist at the waist. Because of its pivotal role and frequent use, it is susceptible to injury and chronic pain. Lower back pain is especially common in older adults, who may have decreased bone strength and muscle elasticity. The cartilage in between each vertebral disc may have worn away as well.

Lower back pain can be a result of a muscle sprain, strain or spasm, a ruptured or bulging disc or an irritated nerve. The pain may radiate down the legs as well. Obesity, smoking, poor physical condition and poor posture can create a higher risk for lower back pain.

While lower back pain is not usually a serious condition, it can be very painful and debilitating. Treatment for this pain is usually simple and can include medication, ice and heat, rest and exercise. Talk to your doctor today about how to relieve your pain.

Osteoporosis

The term “osteoporosis” comes from the Greek words for “bone” and “porous.” It is a disease characterized by increasing bone loss which can lead to fractures, height loss and a hump-backed appearance. One in two women, and one in five men, over the age of 65 will suffer at least one bone fracture due to osteoporosis.

The most serious risk for people with osteoporosis is hip fracture following a fall. But osteoporotic bones are so weak that it doesn’t always require a fall to cause injury – even everyday activities can result in a fracture. Spinal compression fractures, for example, are the most common osteoporosis-related injury and can be triggered simply by bending over.

A diagnosis of osteoporosis is made after a complete medical history, physical examination and laboratory tests including X-rays and bone densitometry. Other possible causes of bone loss must be ruled out as well. Lost bone cannot be replaced, but your doctor will work with you to prevent further weakening. The treatment plan may include exercise, diet changes, hormone therapy with estrogen (ERT) or anti-estrogens (SERMs), or bone-preserving medications such as Calcitonin or Alendronate.

Risk factors for developing osteoporosis include age and sex (post-menopausal women are at the highest risk), heredity (family history, slender build, fair skin), nutrition, sedentary life, medications (bone thinners, steroids) and illnesses. Everyone reaches a peak bone density at about age 20-25; after age 35, our bones lose mass and weaken unless we take action.

Osteoporosis is not curable, but it is preventable. You can maintain your bones’ health at any age by eating a balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, exercising, not smoking, and limiting alcohol. Regular bone density testing can detect osteoporosis early, before you suffer a fracture.

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