Pain Patella

This article deals with the possible causes of the pain patella experiences and the treatment methods used.

The knee joint is covered by a triangular bone known as patella or more commonly termed knee cap. It is a sesmoid bone which helps the smooth movement of the knee bones. This patella contains the synovial fluid beneath it which helps in the movement of the joint. The main function of a knee cap is in the extension of the knee. Any injury to this knee cap or patella causes the pain patella experiences. This injury can occur very frequently in patella since it is the front portion of the very vulnerable joint for injury.

There are many problems which could lead to pain patella has. One of the common problem is dislocation of the patella in which the patella is dislocated from its original place as a result of which the tendons and ligaments which supports the patella gets strained. In runners it is the portion behind the patella which gets affected. Tendonitis is another reason for painful patella, athletes involved in jumping and running faces such patellar problems. Rheumatoid arthritis also affects the anterior patella causing inflammation and stiffness in the joints. When the cartilage between the patella and the thigh bone is damaged due to wear and tear grinding of the knee occur, which causes acute pain in the knee cap. Fracture of the knee cap due to direct injury to the knee can result in acute knee cap pain.

Other reason which causes the patellar pain is chondromalacia patellae where due to repetitive motion of the knee causes the knee pain. Prepatellar bursitis is also one of the major reasons of pain patella experiences. Patella femoral syndrome is another reason which causes patellar pain. The actual reason for this is still unknown but is said to originate when the patella moves up to the thigh bone. It may be a result of both sedentary knee or overuse of the knee. It results in swelling of the kneecap and knee movement is limited. The case where the damage to the patella is severe knee cap replacement surgery is a good option. It helps patients in returning back to the normal life. According to the damage occurred to the knee cap partial or full knee cap replacement surgery is undertaken, where the knee cap is replaced by its metal or plastic replacement.

Diagnosis of the right cause of pain patella faces helps in the treatment of the pain. One of the very common methods that are used for treating patellar pain is the use of the Ice and heat which results in reduction of the acute pain. Knee strengthening exercises are also said to be useful in treating the painful knees. It is always suggested that while there is any kind of pain in the knee it is best to avoid any activity that would strain the knee. The anti-inflammatory drugs available help in bringing temporary relief from the pain. Other than these medications now experts are coming up with alternative treatment methods for painful knees and other joints. These therapies include herbal therapy, use of magnets to reduce the pain, acupuncture technique, etc. These techniques are some of the cost effective techniques to reduce the patellar pain.

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