10 REASONS YOU GET... SORE KNEES

1 IT’S THE WAY YOU WALK

Though sudden pain in the knee is typically caused by injury, many cases are in fact referred pain from the foot or hip, due to long-term problems with gait. Shaped insoles may help.

2 THEY’RE WORN OUT

Osteoarthritis is the term for when the silky lining of the joints is worn away, exposing the bone. Friction can then cause intense pain and swelling, and surgery is the only option. One of the biggest risk factors is excess weight, so slimming down helps a lot.

3 TEARS, SPRAINS AND STRAINS

If you injure yourself, pain is felt very quickly. Most sprains and strains can be managed using ‘PRICE’ therapy – Protection, Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation – and painkillers. Always warm up before you exercise, and stretch to cool down afterwards.

4 IT’S JUMPER’S KNEE

The knee is a complex joint. Over-using the tendon connecting the kneecap to the shin bone can cause inflammation of the tendon, sometimes called ‘jumper’s knee’. Again, ‘PRICE’ is the best remedy.

5 ... OR HOUSEMAID’S KNEE

Repetitive movement of the knee can cause fluid to build up, known as ‘housemaid’s knee’. The pain worsens on kneeling or bending the joint. ‘PRICE’ will help, but if you develop a temperature, see a doctor.

6 GROWING PAINS

In young adults, pain and swelling in the bony lump below the kneecap may be a sign of Osgood-Schlatter disease, where the bone at the top of the lower leg is damaged during a growth spurt. The condition resolves naturally.

7 YOU’VE GOT GOUT

A very painful knee that’s red and hot may indicate gout, caused by a buildup of uric acid. Foods rich in purines, such as red meat, seafood and offal, increase the risk.

8 ... OR EVEN PSEUDOGOUT

Often mistaken for gout, pseudogout is caused by calcium-containing crystals developing in the joint fluid. Anti-inflammatory drugs and other medicines used to treat regular gout may be prescribed.

9 YOU HAVE AN INFECTION

Septic arthritis is inflammation of a joint caused by a bacterial infection. If the condition is left untreated, it can be life-threatening.

10 YOUR KNEECAP HAS SLIPPED

The kneecap glides over a groove in the joint when you bend. In some people it can be prone to slipping out of place, stretching the supporting tissues. It can take six weeks to heal.