Ten Most Common Causes of Knee Pain (Part 1)

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Knee pain (patellofemoral pain) is a common condition that affects the quality of life and daily activities of many people. If you have experienced knee pain, you may know how it can make your life difficult and inconvenient. Therefore, understanding the causes of knee pain is very important. In this article, Aloha will reveal the top five most common causes of knee pain to help you better understand the reasons for knee pain, avoid it as much as possible, and seek early treatment.

[High-Risk Groups]
People who maintain the same posture for a long time, such as office workers or professional drivers.
Athletes and laborers who frequently engage in repetitive movements, especially those who require a lot of running or jumping.
People with inadequate stretching or muscle imbalances, which may lead to over-tightening of certain muscle groups.
Athletes who do not warm up or cool down properly, which may increase the risk of muscle tension and trigger points.

Trigger Point Knee Pain
Trigger points are localized areas in muscles that are highly sensitive and cause pain when compressed, sometimes radiating to other parts of the body. Trigger points are usually associated with tight bands within muscle fibers, which are small parts of muscle fibers that remain contracted and cause reduced local blood flow, leading to oxygen deprivation and the accumulation of pain substances (such as lactic acid), triggering knee pain. Trigger points in muscles near the knee, such as quadriceps, hamstring muscle group (including biceps femoris, semitendinosus, and semimembranosus), calf muscles (such as soleus), and iliotibial band, are often caused by muscle overuse, muscle tension, or poor posture. When these muscles remain tense, they may exert additional pressure on the knee, leading to pain.
ACL Injury (Anterior Cruciate Ligament)
This type of injury is common in athletes who engage in rapid turns and jumps, such as soccer, basketball, skiing, and volleyball players. The anterior cruciate ligament may be damaged due to abnormal twisting or direct impact, causing pain and instability. Such athletes, especially those with a history of previous ligament injuries, are at high risk. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a major ligament in the knee joint responsible for stabilizing the knee and preventing the tibia (shinbone) from sliding forward beneath the femur (thighbone).
Meniscus Injury
The meniscus is two pieces of fibrous cartilage that absorb shock and stabilize the knee joint. Athletes, especially soccer, basketball, and baseball players, as well as those engaged in heavy physical labor and obesity, are prone to tearing when twisting or jumping due to the increased pressure on their knee joints. Meniscus tear refers to damage to the meniscus (a fibrous cartilage located between the femur and tibia) in the knee joint. The main function of the meniscus is to absorb shock and stabilize the knee joint.
Osteoarthritis of the Knee
This is a degenerative disease characterized by the gradual wearing down of joint cartilage, resulting in the gradual erosion and degeneration of joint cartilage. Cartilage is a smooth tissue that covers the ends of bones in joints, helping the joints move smoothly. When cartilage wears down, the cushioning between bones decreases, leading to pain, stiffness, inflammation, and limited range of motion.
Patellofemoral Syndrome
Athletes who frequently run and jump, as well as those with patellar malalignment or muscle imbalances, may experience pain due to abnormal movement or pressure distribution between the patella and femur. Patellofemoral Syndrome, also known as "runner's knee," refers to pain and discomfort between the patella (kneecap) and femur (thighbone). This condition is usually caused by increased pressure when the patella slides over the femur or abnormal movement trajectory.

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