Knee pain
Causes of knee pain
In many cases, knee joint disease, arthritis of the knee, may be suspected. It is advisable to have these symptoms checked by a specialist as soon as possible. After a physical examination and possible imaging diagnostics, the orthopaedic specialist will draw up an appropriate treatment plan.
It is worth taking knee pain seriously and seeking professional help instead of home remedies.
You should seek professional advice if:
- Someone experiences swelling, stiffness, stabbing pain in the knee
- Difficulty bending and stretching the knees
- Knee pain worse in the morning after getting up
- A squeaking sound when moving the knee
- Difficulty running, squatting, walking up and down stairs, even walking
- Knee pain makes it difficult to rest at night
In severe cases, even the knee may become immobilised.
The causes of knee pain
Knee pain can have many causes, so for an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment, it is important to orthopaedic specialist investigation required. The most common problem that causes pain is knee arthritis. Arthritis, also known as osteoarthritis, most often develops as a result of some kind of strain, but it can also be caused by other musculoskeletal conditions. It may be autoimmune in origin rheumatoid arthritis causes the painful complaints, but even gout, bursitis (inflammation of the sphincter), or a previous injury may also be behind it. Sometimes even tendonitis can also be the underlying problem that causes knee pain, where the muscles in the back of the thigh - which attach to the bones of the knee joint - become inflamed, causing swelling and pain in the knee area.
Dr. Péter Doszkocs
Orthopaedic traumatologist, hip and knee surgeon, lower limb specialist, robotic surgeon
Online booking:
Budafoki Road clinic: Thursdays
Bokor Street clinic:other weekdays
Please select the appropriate service
Control fee: 25 000 HUF, for 3 months after the initial examination, for the same complaint.
- 1. Select the service you need from the drop-down box!
- 2. Use the calendar to choose a date that suits you!
- 3. Enter your details to register or login with your previous registration!
- 4. If you would like to make a reservation on behalf of someone else (e.g. your child), please let us know at the location provided.
- 5. Briefly describe your complaints!
- 6. Select the type of consultation: initial examination, control examination or prescription.
- 7. Click on the button to book your appointment. Thank you for choosing BMM!
If you are unable to make the appointment you have already booked, please, at least 24 hours before notify us of your intention to withdraw. This gives other patients the opportunity to get the medical care they need in time. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding!
Resignation: +36 1 44 33 433
If you cannot find an available appointment for your chosen week, please call our call center on +36 1 44 33 433 for assistance. Our staff will be happy to help you make an appointment with the doctor of your choice or another specialist according to your complaint.
Lifestyle causes of knee pain
Knee osteoarthritis is a fairly common disease, but there is a lot you can do to prevent it. We can influence some of the risk factors ourselves through our lifestyle.
The most common lifestyle factors that affect the development of knee pain:
Obesity
The high body weight puts a heavy strain on joints, including the knee. Some research suggests that a weight loss of as little as 10 per cent can relieve the symptoms of arthritis.
Increased load
Certain forms of physical activity can put a lot of strain on the knee joints. This is also true for some physical jobs (which involve kneeling, for example) and for non-professional training in certain sports. The latter include all sports involving jumping, running or lifting heavy weights.
Muscle weakness
Just like excessive activity, lack of exercise can increase symptoms. Muscle weakness around the joints can aggravate the pain of osteoarthritis, so low-intensity, muscle-strengthening exercise (e.g. cycling, physiotherapy) is particularly important for people affected.
Insufficient fluid consumption
Much of the cartilage in joints is made up of water, so for joints and muscles to function properly, proper hydration is important, so you need to pay close attention to your fluid intake.
Smoking
Some research shows that arthritis, which causes knee pain, is associated with more cartilage loss and more severe pain in people who smoke. Some theories suggest that smoking inhibits the division of the cells that make up cartilage tissue. Another possible explanation is that smoking increases the concentration of carbon monoxide in the blood flowing through the arteries, which reduces the oxygen supply to cartilage tissue, thus preventing the repair of damaged cartilage tissue.
Ageing
As we age, our joints gradually wear out. This process can be slowed by regular, adequate exercise.
No
Women tend to be more affected by arthritis than men.
Family predisposition
If a parent has osteoarthritis, there is a greater chance that their child will also be affected.
Previous injuries
People with a history of knee injuries are also at a higher risk of developing arthritis later. For this reason alone the importance of proper, professional training, warm-up and stretching.
rheumatoid arthritis
In addition to osteoarthritis, other causes of knee pain can be rheumatoid arthritis, which is caused by inflammation due to the immune system not working properly. The second most common cause of knee pain. During the course of the disease, the immune system produces enzymes that break down the joint capsule, cartilage, soft tissues and bones. The disease usually occurs in adulthood and develops in the majority of women.
Inflammation of the bursa of the knee joint
Inflammation of the synovial fluid in the knee joint, medically known as bursitis, can also be responsible for knee pain. The bursas, or bursal capsules, cover the bony prominences, cushioning and protecting them. When the bursas become inflamed, the bursas fill with excess fluid. Inflammation can develop as a result of a series of minor traumas or even a single injury. Typical symptoms sudden onset of knee pain in the joint that is severe on movement.
Sports injuries
Common cause of various sports injuries knee pain, such as damage to the meniscus or the treadmill. Meniscus injury usually develops when the knee suddenly twists, turns and dislocates. Locally complains of severe pain on one or both sides of the knee. The meniscus injury with a distinctive, clicking sound, and is often an acute injury involving tearing of the cruciate and collateral ligaments.
Running field is caused by improper and prolonged loading of the joint tendonitis, and cartilage damage in the knee joint. This is a degenerative lesion with an inflammatory condition, therefore swelling also includes. The pain occurs mainly during exertion and may become persistent later.
Psychological causes of knee pain
Knee pain is not only a physical pain, but also a spiritual causes may also be. If the knee pain cannot be diagnosed after a specialist examination or imaging procedure, it is worth considering whether there is a psychological reason for the pain. In such cases, it is advisable to ask yourself some self-awareness questions: Am I too stubborn? Am I too attached to my position? Am I too arrogant? Do I have a rigid, inflexible outlook on life?
The condition of the knee can be an indication of negative features that can be changed to improve the quality of life and even eliminate pain. For example, stiffness, typically indicated by difficulty bending the knee. Underestimating yourself can also cause knee pain, knee disease. It's worth thinking about why this might have happened. Do I have frequent conflicts? Am I afraid to do or take action? Do I undervalue myself?
Physical signs caused by psychological problems should be taken very seriously. If physical examinations show no cause for complaints, it's worth thinking about what changes might be needed to your lifestyle or attitude to life. In some cases, it may also be worth seeking professional help (psychologist, lifestyle counsellor) to help you make changes.
The localisation of knee pain is an indication of the cause of the problem
If your knee hurts on the side - ITB syndrome
On the outer side of the thigh runs a strong connective ligament (tractusiliotibialis), into which the large gluteus maximus runs. The ligament runs along the thigh and then passes over the knee joint and attaches to the tibia near the knee on the outer side. As a consequence, the iliotibial band rubs against the slightly protruding part of the bone on the outside of the femur (epicondylus lateralis) with each knee bend, causing irritation and damage to the ligament. The problem is outside the knee reporting, often on the move the pain coming alive which can sometimes be accompanied by swelling in the knees. Among the predisposing factors, ligamentous tightness, muscle imbalance between the thigh muscles, muscle stiffness or poor running technique are prominent.
When your knee hurts in the front - Patellofemoral syndrome
The name refers to a joint problem between the patella (knee cap) and the femur (thigh bone). In the knee, not only are the tibia and the femur connected, but there is also a real joint between the patella and the indentation in the femur. If the kneecap is not in the right place, it is subjected to much greater stress, which can lead to damage to the cartilage tissue. There are many factors that can cause a kneecap to move, but the most typical cause is an imbalance in the muscle balance around the knee. The anatomical structure of the knee means that there are several factors acting to pull the kneecap outwards, and the only countervailing force is exerted by the lower oblique fibres of the quadriceps femoris, which are prone to weakening. Accordingly, a slight outward displacement of the kneecap is very characteristic (patellar lateralisation), which significantly increases the chance of damage to the kneecap.
The leading symptom of the problem is knee anterior, a pain behind the kneecap, which occurs mainly when the knee is bent sharply: down stairs when walking, squatting, when walking on uneven ground and on the run.
A characteristic symptom when the prolonged sitting causes knee pain („car-mobile sign”), as the kneecap is pressed hard into the joint socket when the knee bends, which can provoke pain.
The predisposing factors therefore include abnormal knee cap position (too lateral or higher than normal, etc.), axial deformities affecting the knee (X-leg), orthopaedic abnormalities of the foot (e.g. flat feet) and excessive training.
If you have pain below the knee - Patella tendonitis
The quadriceps femoris muscle (musculusquadricepsfemoris) is attached to the tibia by the patella tendon through the patella. When this extremely strong muscle contracts, the tension is transmitted to the patella tendon and the strain on the muscle can cause damage to the tendon.
The Pain in this case, on the front of the knee, at the below the kneecap and can be triggered by running, jumping, squatting and climbing stairs. It is typical of tendon pressure sensitivity, and that the thigh muscles sometimes feel weak during movement.
The pathology predispose overly tight or weak hamstring and hamstring flexor muscles, insufficient warm-up, leg deformities (e.g. flat feet), lack of core stability, and over-exercising.
If you notice the above symptoms, you should see an orthopaedic specialist, who may request imaging (CT, X-ray, MRI, ultrasound) if necessary, and after diagnosing the symptoms, may recommend conservative treatment such as physiotherapy, pain relief treatments such as ultrasound therapy, soft laser therapy, etc., or surgery. Pending the specialist examination, it is advisable to relieve the pain with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory creams, sometimes with painkillers.
Our orthopaedic specialists
Dr. Zoltán Bejek PhD
Associate Professor of Orthopaedics, Robotic Surgeon
Dr. Szabolcs Gáspár
Orthopaedic traumatologist, head of department, robotic surgeon
Dr. Gergely Holnapy PhD
Orthopaedic traumatologist, assistant professor, robotic surgeon
Dr. Péter Molnár
Orthopaedic traumatologist, chief operating surgeon, robotic surgeon
Dr. János Bartha
Orthopaedic-traumatologist, robotic surgeon
Dr. Péter Doszkocs
Orthopaedic traumatologist, hip and knee surgeon, lower limb specialist, robotic surgeon
Dr. Dániel Kincses
Orthopaedic-traumatologist specialist, robotic surgeon
Dr Maysam Moghaddam Amin
Orthopaedic-traumatologist specialist, robotic surgeon
Dr. Kálmán Ferenc Egyed
Orthopedic-traumatologist general practitioner
Dr. Balázs Török
Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Traumatology
Dr. Ferenc Tompai
Orthopaedic and trauma surgeon
Prof. Dr. Zsombor Lacza PhD
Orthopedic-traumatologist general practitioner
