Knee pain is a major health problem that is very common not only among adults but also among IT workers and young people. It starts out mildly at first, and later becomes severe pain and swelling while walking and sitting. Its main symptoms are hearing a ‘crackling’ sound (Crepitus) when moving the joints and feeling difficulty in straightening the legs. Here are the 5 main scientific reasons behind knee pain:
Knee wear and tear or Osteoarthritis: The most important scientific reason for knee pain is the wear and tear of the soft layer called cartilage that protects the bones in the knee. As we age, the synovial fluid (Grease) inside the joints dries up and the bones start rubbing directly against each other. This causes severe pain and swelling.
Ligament & Meniscus Tears: During sports, falling from a car, or sudden twisting of the foot while walking, tears can occur to the major ligaments in the knee (for example, the ACL – Anterior Cruciate Ligament) or the meniscus, which is the shock absorber of the knee. This causes weakness and severe swelling in the knee.
Obesity and Mechanical Stress on the Joints: The knees bear the entire weight of our body. When we gain more weight than necessary, we experience unbearable mechanical stress on the cartilage in the knee. When we walk, the knees are subjected to three times the pressure of our body weight. This quickly destroys the cells and leads to severe knee pain at a young age.
Vitamin D3 and Calcium Deficiencies: Calcium and vitamin D3 are essential nutrients to maintain the strength of bones and joints. When these levels decrease in the blood, the bones lose their density and become weak quickly (Osteoporosis). Weak bones put excessive strain on the muscles around the joints, which causes chronic pain.
Uric acid and other rheumatic diseases (Gout & Rheumatoid Arthritis): When the level of uric acid in the blood increases, they turn into crystals and accumulate in the knee joints (Gout). This causes the knee to become red and swollen quickly and causes severe pain. Along with this, people with rheumatoid arthritis (rheumatoid arthritis), in which the body’s immune system attacks its own joints, also experience persistent knee pain.
