Knee Pain cause, injury, stretching or disease?
Knee pain is a common symptom in people of all ages. It may start suddenly, often after an injury or exercise. Knee pain may also begin as a mild discomfort and slowly worsen. Since it takes the full weight of the body, the knee joint is vulnerable to damage and pain.
Simple causes of knee pain can be taken care of, but being overweight can be a greater risk for knee problems.
Knee pain can be caused by:
- Anterior knee pain (Icd 9 code 719.46, Icd10 code M25.569) : Pain felt around the knee pain is anterior knee pain.It is also called as patellofemoral pain syndrome.
- Arthritis ? including rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and gout (Icd 9 code 716.90 and Icd 10 code M12.9).In elderly patients, the pain is due to osteoarthritis.
- Baker?s cyst ? a fluid-filled swelling behind the knee that may occur with swelling (inflammation) from other causes, like arthritis (Icd9 code 727.51 and Icd 10 code M71.20)
- Bursitis ? inflammation from repeated pressure on the knee, such as kneeling for long periods of time, overuse, or injury(Icd9 code 727.3 and Icd 10 code M71.50 )
- Connective tissue disorders such as lupus
- Dislocation of the kneecap (Icd9 code 718.36 and Icd 10 code M24.469)
- Iliotibial band syndrome ? a hip disorder from injury to the thick band that runs from your hip to the outside of your knee(Icd code 728.89 and Icd10 code M62.89)
- Infection in the joint (Icd 9 code 711.90 and Icd 10 code M01.X0)
- Knee injuries ? an anterior cruciate ligament injury or medial collateral ligament injury may cause bleeding into your knee, which makes the pain worse(Icd 9 code 959.7 and S89.90XA)
- Osgood-Schlatter disease? This overuse condition is common in teenagers playing sport and causes swelling and tenderness over the bony bump just below the knee. Swelling and tenderness in the bony lump below the knee cap is a sign of this disease. The Icd 9 code is 732.4 and Icd 10 code is M92.40/0.
- Tendinitis ? a pain in the front of your knee that gets worse when going up and down stairs or inclines(Icd 9 code 726.90 and Icd10 code M77.9)
- Torn cartilage (a meniscus tear) ? pain felt on the inside or outside of the knee joint(Icd 9 code 836.2 and Icd10 code S83.209A)
- Torn ligament (ACL tear) ? leads to pain and instability of the knee (Icd 9 code 844.2 and Icd10 code S83.509A)
- Strain or sprain ? minor injuries to the ligaments caused by sudden or unnatural twisting (Icd 9 code 848.9 and Icd10 code T14.90).This means that the knee tissues have been stretched.
- Partially dislocated kneecap (or patellar subluxation) . This is usually due to a physical condition with the legs rather than a sports injury. The kneecap slides out of position and causes pain and swelling. (Icd 9 code 836.3
- Medial plica syndrome. This overuse injury affects the plica, a fold of tissue in the knee joint. (Icd 9 code 727.83 AND Icd 10 code M67.50)
- Bursitisis is caused by kneeling for long periods of time or repetitive knee movements. It is also called as “Housemaid’s knee” .Fluid builds up in the bursa, the sac of fluid that helps in cushioning the knee joints. Swelling behind the knee is called a ?Baker?s cyst? and may be caused by injuries or arthritis. (Icd 9 code 726.65 and Icd 10 code M70.4)
- Bone chips. Sometimes, a knee injury can break off fragments from the bone or cartilage. These pieces can get stuck in the joint, causing it to freeze up. You may also have pain and swelling. (Icd 9 code 726.9 and icd 10 code M25.70).Less common conditions that can lead to knee pain include bone tumors.
Physician Evaluation :
The physician should be approached when :
- The weight on the knee becomes unbearable.
- There is pain even when there is not weight.
- There is buckling, clicking or locking.
- There is redness, swelling or warmth around the knee.
- There is pain, swelling, numbness, tingling or bluish discoloration in the calf.
The health care provider will perform a physical examination and carefully pay attention to your knees, hips, legs, and other joints.
For further diagnosing the etiology of the problem, the health care provider may ask medical history questions.
The tests done for knee pain are:
- Joint fluid culture (fluid taken from the knee and examined under a microscope)
- MRI of the knee if a ligament or meniscus tear is suspected
- X-ray of the knee.