Although many types of knee pain are not permanent, other types of pain can last for a very long time. For example, arthritic pain worsens over time. Such pain can radically change your daily life. 

Chronic pain can be debilitating, cause anxiety and stress, and affect your work and daily activities. It can even affect relationships. People will try so many options to manage pain, such as buy a knee brace and even surgery.  

What is Chronic Knee Pain?

Chronic pain is pain or an ache that never goes away. When you feel constant pain in your knee that worsens when you are using your knee, or as a dull ache when at rest, you have chronic knee pain. 

 

Most common cause of chronic knee pain - arthritis

There can be several causes of chronic pain of the knee, but the most common is arthritis. Arthritis is inflammation of the body’s joints. Although any joint can be affected by arthritis, the most common joint is the knee. Knee arthritis causes pain, swelling, and stiffness, making movement difficult. 

There are two most known types of arthritis:

1. Osteoarthritis – is a degenerative condition that results from normal “wear and tear” of the joints. The cartilage located in the knee joint slowly wears away, reducing the protective space between bones. Friction between bones can be very painful. This type of arthritis develops gradually. The pain worsens as time passes. 
2. Rheumatoid Arthritis or RA – is an autoimmune disease that attacks joints throughout the body. An autoimmune disease means that the body’s immune system attacks the body’s tissues and organs, including bone. The stiffness and pain are due to the swelling of the synovial membrane which covers the knee joint.

Arthritis has no cure, although treatment options are available. Using support devices such as a Bauerfeind knee brace can help manage pain.

Managing Chronic Pain in the Knee

Many people struggle daily with pain in their knees. It gets very frustrating when the most common advice of resting, putting ice, compression, and elevating the knee makes no difference. There are some strategies that one can use to manage chronic knee pain while remaining active.

Managing weight

When the knees have to support additional weight, the pressure on the knee increases, and so does the pain. Being able to manage a healthy weight will help ease the load the knees need to carry. Any weight loss will help alleviate discomfort and pain.

Using assistive devices for knee support

Assistive devices like shock-absorbing inserts or shoes, a cane, or wearing a brace or a compression sleeve may help. For people suffering from knee injuries that will require structural support, doctors commonly recommend using a knee brace. For people who experience arthritic pain in their knees, a well fitted knee brace is usually recommended. 

Bauerfeind knee brace is designed to provide targeted compression in different areas around the knee joint which improves joint stabilisation . It can help to control swelling, pain and also provide general support.

Physical therapy

Pain in the knee can also be managed by getting physiotherapy. Regular therapy helps strengthen muscles around the knee to enable you to get better stability and motion. 

Medication

OTC or over-the-counter pain medications may help to ease the pain. Some people prefer using medicated patches or rubbing medicated creams on the knee for relief. In some cases, when the pain is particularly severe, doctors may prescribe stronger pain medications. 

Corticosteroid injections

These injections can help to reduce swelling and pain.

Although chronic knee pain may make your life difficult at times, there are ways of living with it and managing it. With proper guidance, you will be able to live an active life.

For arthritis specific information click here. Or check out the full range of knee braces for arthritis at Bauerfeind New Zealand.