knee pain

KNEE OVERVIEW

Most people have had a minor knee problem at one time or another. Most of the time our body movements do not cause problems, but it's not surprising that symptoms develop from everyday wear and tear, overuse, or injury. Knee problems and injuries most often occur during sports or recreational activities, work-related tasks, or home projects.

The knee is the largest joint in the body. The upper and lower bones of the knee are separated by two discs (menisci). The upper leg bone (femur) and the lower leg bones (tibia and fibula) are connected by ligaments, tendons, and muscles. The surface of the bones inside the knee joint is covered by articular cartilage, which absorbs shock and provides a smooth, gliding surface for joint movement. See a picture of the structures of the knee

EMERGENCY CASE

Call Your Doctor About Arthritis If:

• The pain and stiffness come on quickly, whether from an injury or an unknown cause.
• The pain is accompanied by fever.
• The pain develops quickly and is associated with redness and extreme tenderness of the joint.
• You notice pain and stiffness in your arms, legs, or back after sitting for short periods or after a night's sleep

SIGN AND SYMPTOMS

Understanding Arthritis -- Symptoms

What Are the Symptoms of Arthritis?

Symptoms of osteoarthritis may include joint pain and progressive stiffness that develops gradually.

Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis may include painful swelling, inflammation, and stiffness in the fingers, arms, legs, and wrists occurring in the same joints on both sides of the body, especially upon awakening.

Understanding Arthritis

Symptoms of infectious arthritis may include fever, chills, joint inflammation, tenderness, and sharp pain that is associated with an injury or infection elsewhere in your body.

In children, intermittent fever, loss of appetite, weight loss, and anemia, or blotchy rash on the arms and legs, may signal the onset of some types of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Other forms of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis are associated with joint stiffness, a limp, or joint swelling.

CAUSES MUSCLE PAIN

Possible Causes of Muscle Cramps

Muscle cramps can have many possible causes. They include:

• Poor blood circulation in the legs
• Overexertion of the calf muscles while exercising
• Insufficient stretching before exercise
• Exercising in the heat
• Muscle fatigue
• Dehydration
• Magnesium and/or potassium deficiency
• Calcium deficiency in pregnant women
• Malfunctioning nerves, which could be caused by a problem such as a spinal cord injury or  pinched nerve in the neck or back