Knee pain
From Wiki4CAM
Pain in the knee is common in elderly people. It usually results from overuse, poor form during physical activity, not warming up or cooling down, or inadequate stretching. Being overweight is a risk for knee problems.
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Causes
Arthritic conditions like rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, and gout are the common causes of knee pain. Baker's cyst is a fluid-filled swelling behind the knee that may accompany inflammation from other causes, like arthritis. Conditions like bursitis, connective tissue disorders such as lupus, dislocation of the kneecap, iliotibial band syndrome, infection in the joint, tendinitis are other causes. Less commonly bone tumors, Osgood-Schlatter disease may cause knee pain.
Risk factors
Risk factors include excess weight, overuse of joint, lack of muscle flexibility or strength, lack of neuromuscular control, mechanical problems like having one leg shorter than the other, misaligned knees and flat feet, high-risk sports and activities, previous injury, age (some types of knee problems are more common in young people like Osgood-Schlatter disease and patellar tendinitis, and others, such as osteoarthritis, gout and pseudogout, are common in older adults) and sex (Teenage girls are more likely than are boys to experience an ACL tear or a dislocated kneecap. Boys are at greater risk of Osgood-Schlatter disease and patellar tendinitis than girls).
Tests and diagnosis
Blood tests, X-ray, computerized tomography (CT) scan and MRI would be helpful to find out the cause of the knee pain and for its management.
Complications
Some conditions may have complications and other not. Osteoarthritis can lead to increasing pain, joint damage and even disability if left untreated. Even minor knee injury makes it more likely that you'll have similar injuries in the future.
CAM therapies for knee pain
Acupuncture/acupressure
Acupuncture has shown promise in treating certain conditions of knee pain.[1] Researchers from Jensen Fysikalske Institutt in Bergen, Norway conducted a study on a group of 70 patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome. The age of the patients were between 18-45. The results published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, showed that acupuncture "may be an alternative treatment" for patients suffering from patellofemoral pain syndrome.[2]
The points used to manage the knee pain are ST-34, SP-10, LE-5, ST-35, SP-9, ST-36, BL-17, BL-18, BL-20, BL-23, LI-4, and CV-4, depending on each patient's diagnosis.
Ayurveda
Following remedies are helpful for knee pain. Sesame oil, Shatavari oil, Bala (Sida cordifolia), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Sallaki (Boswellia serrata), Guggulu resin (Commiphora mukul), Wintergreen (Gaultheeria procumbens), Calamus (Acorus calamus), Licorice (Glychyrrhiza glabra), Angelica (Angelica archangelica officinalis), Shilajit (Natural Asphaltum), Turmeric (Curcuma longa), Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans), Clove (Caryophyllus aromaticus), Camphor (cinnamomum camphora), Myrrh (Commiphora molmol), Tea tree oil and Jivan oil.
Homeopathy
Some frequently prescribed homeopathic remedies are below.
Acidum benzoicum: Arthritis, knee pain from gout. Aurum metallicum: Knee pain due to psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Bryonia: It is indicated where there is pain worse by motion and better by rest. Causticum: Knee pain with restless legs; pain worse from cold bathing, better from wet weather and heat. Chelidonium: Rheumatism of knee with coldness, right side. Kalium carbonicum: Indicated mainly for deformed joints. Ledum palustre: Affections travelling upward from feet, better from cold applications. Bellis perenis: Arthritis of knee with fever. Rhustox: Pain aggravated by rest and better by motion.
References
- ↑ Galanty HL, Matthews C, Hergenroeder AC. Anterior knee pain in adolescents. Clin J Sports Med 1994;4:176-181
- ↑ Jensen R, Gothesen O, Liseth K, Baerheim A. Acupuncture treatment of patellofemoral pain syndrome. J Altern Complement Med Dec 1999;5(6):521-7
