All about knee pain

Causes of knee pain

Knee pain is a very common consultation in our clinics, and can affect people of all ages. This joint supports much of the body’s weight and is involved in almost every day-to-day movement, which makes it particularly vulnerable.

The most common causes of knee pain include include:

Traumatic or sports injuries

Sprains or ligament sprains or strains (anterior cruciate ligament, collateral ligament…)
Meniscus tear
Patellar dislocations or subluxations
Tendinopathies (such as patellar or quadricipital tendon)
Iliotibial band syndrome

Degenerative problems

Knee arthrosis (gonarthrosis)
Chondromalacia patellae (wear and tear of the cartilage under the kneecap)
Meniscal degeneration in older people

Mechanical alterations

Patellar misalignment or valgus/varus of the knee
Muscle weakness or biomechanical imbalance
Poor footing or alterations in the axis of the legs

Other causes

Bursitis or bursa inflammation
Rheumatoid arthritis or other inflammatory diseases
Baker’s cyst (accumulation of synovial fluid in the back of the knee)
Infections or systemic diseases (less frequent)

Risk factors for knee pain

Several factors increase the likelihood of developing knee pain or aggravating an existing injury. The main risk factors risk factors are:

Overweight or obesitywhich increases the pressure on the joint
Impact sports or repetitive movements without adequate preparation
Lack of muscle strength or flexibility
Advanced agedue to natural wear and tear of the joint
Previous history of knee injury
Poor footwear or alterations of the footprint
Maintained postures or demanding physical work

At MIVI Salud we analyze not only the injury, but also these factors in order to prevent relapses and future injuries.

Types of knee pain

Knee osteoarthritis

When a knee is healthy, it allows the flexion of the leg, its extension and daily situations such as bending and squatting. This is possible thanks to the good function of the elements that are part of it such as the meniscus, ligaments and cartilage among others. This last one is a tissue with ideal characteristics to allow the protection function of the knee, however, unlike other types of tissues such as muscles, tendons and bones, it cannot be cured and that is why we must try to take care of it and provide the conditions for it to last for many years.

Maintaining an adequate weight, proper nutrition, performing daily activities with consistency, and maintaining an adequate physical condition will help preserve the structure of this cartilage. When the cartilage deteriorates, the bones that form part of the knee suffer impacts and wear and tear that over time generate symptoms such as pain, functional disability and diminished faculties.

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Knee pain due to tendinitis

Knee tendonitis is the degeneration of the system that allows the insertion of the muscles (the tendon) into the bones in this joint. Overuse of the muscles leads to continuous wear and tear leading to deterioration of this structure. Usually the development of these injuries is slow and can lead to partial or total tendon rupture, so it is important to act as soon as possible on the factors that lead to this deterioration.

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Meniscus pain

The menisci are pieces of cartilage that help the cushioning of loads between the bones that are part of the knee joint. In each knee we have two menisci, the medial one that is located in the internal part and the lateral one that is located in the external part of the joint. Each one is formed by three parts, which can be injured separately or as a whole. At the moment that an injury occurs it can produce a picture that produces pain, inflammation and effusion of the joint and limitation for the mobility.

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How to cure knee pain

At MIVI Salud we offer a personalized and comprehensive treatment of knee pain, with an approach that goes beyond simple relief: we look for the cause, treat the problem and prevent its recurrence.

Medical evaluation and diagnosis

Complete medical history and physical examination
Imaging tests if necessary (ultrasound, x-ray, MRI)
Functional assessment of the joint

Personalized treatments

Conservative treatment

Relative rest, control of pain and inflammation.
Analgesic or anti-inflammatory medication
Joint hygiene, postural correction and load education.

Specialized physiotherapy

Manual therapy and joint mobilizations
Guided muscle strengthening (quadriceps, hamstrings, gluteus)
Proprioception and motor control exercises
Dry needling, percutaneous electrolysis (PIE), tecartherapy and electrotherapy.
Biomechanical correction and footprint analysis

Interventional treatments

Ultrasound-guided infiltrations (anti-inflammatory, hyaluronic acid, PRP)
Radiofrequency of geniculate nerves in advanced osteoarthritis
Nerve blocks for chronic pain control
In cases of severe structural lesions or advanced osteoarthritis, referral for arthroscopic surgery or prosthesis is always the last option.

Recover from knee pain at MIVI Salud

At MIVI Salud we help you to recover your mobility and return to your activities without pain.. Our medical and physiotherapy team works in a coordinated way to find the cause of your problem and give you an effective solution, without the need to resort directly to surgery.

Persistent or recurring knee pain? We can help.

Book your appointment with our specialists and start your recovery today.

Here begins your life without pain

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Dani

18 hours ago

Son “mi ángel de la salvación” porque ningún “médico” hacía por encontrarle a mi dolor una solución. Pero más que profesionales son mejores personas. Llevo ya dos infiltraciones y voy poco a poco recuperando calidad de vida, no era persona, tras una operación de cervicales. Confío ciegamente en ellos. Son súper amables y lo gestionan todo con una eficacia, limpieza y orden admirable. Se ve que tienen vocación y están en una unidad donde el paciente tiene dolor y una sonrisa, ayuda a calmar. Los recomiendo, sobre todo Ana y Alejandro. Un abrazo y gracias.

Lili

1 week ago

Hace muchos años que comencé a ir por distintas dolencias, y a otro sitio nunca fui. Hay MUY BUENOS PROFESIONALES Y TODOS MUY CERCANOS CON LOS PACIENTES. También en la recepción hay un personal muy amable y resolutivo al momento de tener que sacar citas y aclara alguna duda que pueda tener.

Begotxu

1 week ago

Atención muy cordial y agradable

Oscar Scolaro

1 week ago

"Una experiencia de 10 en la Clínica de Fisioterapia MIVI Fuengirola. Son unos buenos profesionales de los pies a la cabeza, con instalaciones modernas y un trato impecable. Quiero destacar de forma muy especial la atención de Carmen: su trato es sencillamente espectacular, súper empática, cercana y pendiente de cada detalle. Da gusto ponerse en manos de gente así. ¡Recomendadísimo al 100%!"

Matteo Cudicio

2 weeks ago

Estoy encantado con el trato recibido tanto en recepción como por parte del equipo médico. Llevo más de un año acudiendo al centro por una hernia discal y, cada vez que comienza el dolor, sé que puedo contar con ellos. Desde la primera sesión de tratamiento noto una mejoría importante. El otro día acudí al centro con mucho dolor y sin cita previa. Aun así, hicieron todo lo posible por encontrarme un hueco ese mismo día, y lo consiguieron. Además, revisaron personalmente mi cobertura del seguro para que el tratamiento pudiera ser más completo y efectivo, adaptándolo a mis necesidades. Quiero agradecer especialmente su profesionalidad, empatía y dedicación. Sin duda, recomiendo este centro.

Juan Ramon Riquelme

2 weeks ago

Una gran atención y excelente equipo médico. Me asesoraron muy bien y pendientes de mi infiltracion lumbar.

Stig Herbern

3 weeks ago

Very professional and the treatment has helped me to survive the summer. I had one injection in May but due to too much tension it did not work as well and I was offered a new treatment mid July that worked much better. The injection are done at the Kiron hospital in a very professional setting. Both the doctor and the assistant are client oriented and make you feel taken care of.