Pain in Kneecap

This article explains the importance of kneecap, the problems which can lead to pain in kneecap and the treatment for it.

Knee cap also known as patella is the part of the knee joint which protects the front portion of the knee. It is designed as a shock absorber. When we are walking, running or climbing a stairs we exert pressure on our knee which is absorbed by our knee cap and facilitate the movement of the body. The knee joint and the bones are protected by the knee cap. Pain in kneecap occurs due to an injury to it which causes the bone to expose and the cartilage behind the knee cap gets damaged due to the friction of the bones.

Common problems which could lead to pain in kneecap are the following: a fracture in the kneecap commonly caused due to an injury. Dislocation of the knee cap which leads to the instability of the knee joint. Chondromalacia patellae, where the kneecap rubs against the bones instead of the cartilage resulting in swelling of the knee. Prepatellar bursitis, where the knee cap swells and the mobility is restricted. Patellar tendonitis, in which the tendons of the patella gets damaged. This is common in athletes who jump and run. Flat feet may also give rise to pain in the knee chilblains in winter causes swelling on the feet thus resulting in imbalance of the feet. In such cases also the pressure comes on kneecap and result in pain.

Pain in kneecap may be chronic and may limit the activity of the legs to nil. Overuse of patella as in the case of athletes may also result in kneecap pain. Overuse of the patella brings it into a bad shape and even a minor shock can cause damage to it. Sharp pain in the knee cap may arise out of one of the reasons enumerated above but it is difficult to diagnose the specific reason for the pain. A CT scan, MRI test or a X-ray can reveal the exact reason behind the kneecap pain.

Pain in kneecap can be treated with the anti-inflammatory drugs. Use of cryo therapy also helps in pain. Doctors name it as a RICE technique which includes Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation of the joint to reduce the pain. Besides this physiotherapy, use of braces or knee straps and corticosteroid injections too help in reducing the pain in the kneecap. The experts’ update at healthcentral helps in knowing the new and improved techniques to cure and prevent the pain.

Apart from all the medications experts suggests lifestyle changes which help in prevention of the knee problems. They suggest the use of braces occasionally by the athletes will support their knees to absorb the shock in a better way. It will also help in reducing weight which is also a major cause of pain in kneecap. Regular exercise not only helps in keeping the knee joint in good condition but also helps in slowing down the degenerative process of the tissues which causes pain in the knee joint. Use of good shoes also helps in preventing the pain.