Sharp knee pain can be so uncomfortable that it frequently causes individuals to stop in their tracks. It often denotes a problem with the knee bone or the nearby nerve system. When soft tissue within and surrounding the knee are damaged, severe discomfort can also happen. Sharp knee pain frequently subsides fast after a short period, usually after a sudden onset with a specific action. The sharp pain in and around the knee may recur sometimes, but most typically, it either goes away entirely or lessens, leaving a lingering soreness or throbbing discomfort. Are you dealing with sharp stabbing knee pain? It may be frustrating and frightening when you don't know what's causing the discomfort. In this article, you will find what causes sharp stabbing pain in knee comes and goes and some of the best tips for relief, so continue reading to know more.
What causes a sharp stabbing pain in the knee that comes and goes?
The complicated combination of cartilage, ligaments, tendons, bones, and muscles that makes up the knee allows it to move and bear weight. Sharp knee pain can be brought on by anything that strains, irritates, or injures the knee. The majority of people eventually get knee discomfort throughout their lifetimes. Numerous age-related disorders can cause knee pain and discomfort in older adults. Similar symptoms may occur in younger people, although playing sports or engaging in other physical activity is more likely to be the reason. Whatever the reason, the sudden onset of intense knee pain symptoms is frequently an indication of a significant knee injury, therefore you should seek medical attention immediately once. Here, we'll examine the causes of sharp knee pain:
Mechanical or Musculoskeletal Factors -
Sharp knee pain may have musculoskeletal reasons, which include the following:
- Ligament: Ligament sprains and rips, which often entail running, are highly prevalent in contact sports like football, football, and rugby.
- Cartilage: When the knee rotates while supporting weight, which frequently occurs during sports, the cartilage in the knee can get torn.
- Fracture: In a major fall or in a vehicle accident, numerous knee bones can be fractured. An older person or someone with weaker bones is more prone to trip or fall and shatter a bone.
- Mechanical: Sharp knee discomfort that worsens with activity can be caused by issues with how the knee's components function together.
Also Read: Why Does My Knee Hurt when I bend it?
Medical causes -
The following medical conditions might be the cause of acute knee pain:
- Arthritis. A disorder that causes severe inflammation and stiffness of the bones and joints is referred to as arthritis. Knee discomfort that is severe and incapacitating might result from arthritis that damages the knee's bones and fluid-filled regions.
- Infection. Bacteria may easily enter knee joints through scrapes and wounds. These illnesses can bring on serious knee swelling, discomfort, and redness.
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Syndrome of the iliotibial (IT) band -
The iliotibial band is a long, strong segment of connective tissue that connects to the side of the knee and extends from the top of the hip bone to the outside of the leg. The cause of iliotibial band syndrome is overuse. It can be brought on by intense training, notably in cyclists and runners. Sharp stabbing pain in knee comes and goes, and inflammation are brought on when the IT band repeatedly scrapes against the exterior of the knee joint. One of the symptoms is soreness on the outside of the knee, especially when jogging, climbing stairs, or sitting down.
Fibromyalgia -
Chronic fibromyalgia symptoms include persistent fatigue, bodily sensitivity to touch, musculoskeletal discomfort, joint pain, particularly in the knee and hip, and numbness and tingling in the arms and legs. In many people, coping with these symptoms might lead to depression. Fibromyalgia frequently begins following a traumatic physical or emotional incident, such as a car accident, even when the exact reason is unknown. Additionally, there may be a genetic background where a person sees pain as an ordinary sense, so it comes and goes often. Women make up about 90% of fibromyalgia patients. You may have a higher risk of developing fibromyalgia if you have a rheumatic condition, such as lupus, osteoarthritis, or rheumatoid arthritis.
Injured kneecap -
The muscles at the front of the thigh are joined to the shinbone by the kneecap. There are frequent issues and excruciating pain as the kneecap emerges from the groove. A doctor should evaluate a dislocated kneecap immediately, but no later than 24 hours. They might need to perform a reduction, which involves popping or pushing the kneecap back into position.
Jumper's knee -
Patellar tendonitis is also another name for jumper's knee. Inflammation in the patellar tendon connects the top of the shinbone to the base of the patella (or kneecap). Although it can affect anybody, it is most frequently an overuse ailment observed in athletes, particularly those who participate in sports requiring leaping. The patellar tendon can also be strained by engaging in vigorous exercise if you aren't warming up. Stiffness and discomfort immediately below the kneecap are symptoms. Knee discomfort may worsen when crouching or climbing stairs. The sharp pain usually comes and goes, so you will eventually adapt to it.
Knee bursitis -
Small cushion-like structures called pes anserine bursae are located inside the knee, around two inches below the kneecap. Pes anserine bursitis is the medical term for inflammation of these bursae. If there's too much pressure on the knee, such as from kneading or overuse, knee bursitis can develop. Injuries, bacterial infections, or diseases like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or gout arthritis are other possible causes. The symptoms include knee discomfort that worsens while standing up, climbing stairs, or exercising. There may also be pain, soreness, and swelling.
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Meniscal damage -
The two pieces of cartilage between the top of the shinbone and the lower end of the thigh bone are known as the menisci. When the knee receives a direct blow or a violent, twisting motion, the meniscus is frequently injured. similar to being tackled. When cartilage has gotten thin and worn down, older adults are more likely to tear a meniscus while engaging in normal activities. Sharp stabbing pain in knee comes and goes; stiffness and edema are symptoms. The knee can catch, lock up, or give way, giving the impression that it is not functioning well.
Patellofemoral pain -
Females and young adults who participate in sports frequently have it. The cartilage beneath the kneecap gets worn down from overuse during athletic training, which hurts while you exercise. The patella (kneecap) and the front of the knee (patella) may experience dull discomfort after sitting with the knees bent, when squatting, running, or climbing stairs. Surgery is only required in critical situations.
Pre and infrapatellar bursitis -
Bursitis is an inflammation of a bursa, a sac filled with fluid that typically serves as a cushion to lessen friction. Prolonged kneeling, especially on hard surfaces, can lead to both prepatellar bursitis and infrapatellar bursitis. Hemorrhage, infection, severe damage, or inflammatory illnesses such as arthropathy are other causes.
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What is the treatment to get rid of the sharp stabbing knee pain?
Since you are more informed on the causes of sharp stabbing knee pain, it is time to find some effective treatment options. Here are some knee pain treatments to think about so you can start leading a better, happier life.
Medications -
Both available over-the-counter, Acetaminophen and ibuprofen, can effectively treat knee discomfort. Additionally, incorporating sports medicine tapes can provide extra support and alleviate pain. But before taking any new drug or using sports medicine tapes, it's crucial to stick to the suggested dosage and see a doctor.
Physiotherapy -
Physiotherapy is a great alternative for treating your persistent knee pain. A Physiotherapist can assist in determining the primary source of your discomfort and creating personalized therapy to alleviate it. And assist in enhancing the flexibility and use of the knee while assisting in pain relief. Physical therapy is a particularly popular treatment for knee discomfort if a sports-related knee injury necessitates exercises to rectify your mobility or technique. This is because certain sports can be physically taxing and repetitious. Therefore, by learning techniques to correct your movement, you may appropriately engage the knees without increasing the possibility of future discomfort and damage.
Injections -
Another common way of treating knee pain is injecting drugs into the affected joints. Osteoarthritis, tendinitis, degenerative arthritis, and several other joint-related disorders can all be treated with knee injections. There are three primary categories of injections:
- Corticosteroids: Commonly used to lessen arthritic flare-ups and offer temporary respite (for roughly a few months). Corticosteroids.
- Hyaluronic Acid: When injected into the bad knee or knees, a thick fluid similar to the body's natural fluid to lubricate your joints is used. Hyaluronic acid injections can be an excellent option for long-term pain relief (roughly six months), allowing you to resume your favorite hobbies.
- PRP: According to certain research, PRP can benefit people with osteoarthritis.
Lifestyle Changes -
Depending on the intensity and origin of your knee discomfort, dietary improvements, and regular exercise can help reduce it. This is because being overweight can strain your knees, increasing your risk of developing knee discomfort. Even if adopting a better lifestyle, one that includes regular exercise and a nutritious diet might not completely relieve knee pain, it is still worthwhile to attempt, especially if you are overweight or obese.
Surgery -
Surgery is one of your final options for treatment to think about. Even though surgery can be dangerous and expensive, examining the benefits and drawbacks is crucial before knee surgery. Among the surgical procedures that can relieve knee pain are:
- Arthritis surgery.
- Surgery for a partial knee replacement.
- Total replacement of the knee.
- Osteotomy.
Again, it might be argued that surgery should be one of your final options for sharp stabbing knee pain since it is still important to go to the doctor if the pain in your knee is severe and significantly affects your quality of life.
Conclusion -
Sharp stabbing pain in the knee comes and goes and can be caused by various conditions, ranging from IT band syndrome to pre and infrapatellar bursitis. It's crucial to seek medical attention if you're in this kind of pain to receive a prior diagnosis, as well as to learn what's causing it and create a treatment strategy that will work for you. If you are facing sharp stabbing pain in the knee, visit the best orthopedic doctor near me & other cities mentioned below:
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