What Causes Discomfort And Pain Around The Knees?

Posted on Fri, 23 May 2014

Question: I have arthritis in my knees, but more discomfort from around the knee - Just below the knee on the inside and above the knee on the outer side of my thigh, as well as down the shin. It usually is tenderness, but sometimes more painful. The area of tenderness has spread over several years on my left knee. Now it has started on my right - and more acutely. Sometime, the pressure on my thighs when I sit is very uncomfortable. I am going to have injections in my knee soon, but wonder why nearly my whole leg hurts.

Answered by Dr. Chander Mohan Singh (32 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Due to weakening of muscles.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

I have gone through your query.

From your history it seems that due to osteoarthritis of knee. In this, whole of the lower limb gets pain because your muscles have become weak or the joint structure is less stable and your joint is not able to cope up the stress appeared on it. Also same nerve supplies the muscles surrounding the knee joint and knee joint itself.

With the time as osteophytes develop or joint space decrease the synovium become hypertrophied also cartilage in a joint to become stiff and lose its elasticity, making it more susceptible to damage and causes pain.

You try to avoid squatting and up stairs.

I hope you have got your answer.

You are welcome to ask any health related query.

If you have found my answer excellent you may close the discussion and award me full marks.

Thanks.

Dr.Singh.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Chander Mohan Singh (2 hours later)

Thank you. Squatting is almost impossible and stairs are difficult. I guess I should work on increasing the strength of my muscles in my legs?
I am hoping I will feel more like doing exercises and my legs will feel stronger after the injections
I guess there is nothing else to do, correct?

Answered by Dr. Chander Mohan Singh (24 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for the query again.

With injections pain will go and with quadriceps exercises you muscle strength will increase. Take balanced diet. After about a month you will feel that you have got sufficient strength to walk around, but one thing I want to tell is that you should get xray both knees standing in AP view and send me the report so that I can do grading and advise you further treatment.

Apply hot packs over the knee for 30 mins in morning and evening.

Take 1 tab. aceclofenac+thiocolchicoside three times a day and tab. chondroitin sulphate and glucuronic acid acid two times a day.

I hope you have got your answer.

Regards.

Dr.Singh.

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj