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Knee Joint Stiffness
Knee tightness and stiffness
Knee tightness or stiffness in one or both knees is a common issue. Tightness in your knee can be caused by injuries, mechanical problems, or physical stressors on your knees like extra weight. Lack of flexibility or strength can also be contributing factors. Knee tightness is especially likely if you’ve had a knee injury or if you have a medical condition such as gout, arthritis, or an infection.
Here we talk about different causes of knee stiffness and the basics of what you can do to manage associated symptoms.
Pain, swelling, and knee stiffness
First let’s talk about pain: It’s the body’s way of preventing you from making an injury worse. Since pain may limit movement, it can cause stiffness in the knees, as can any ongoing injury.
Knees become swollen when excess fluid builds up inside the knee due to an injury, overuse, or medical condition. This can cause sensations of tightness as well as pain. Swelling may be subtle, so you may not always notice it unless it’s a severe injury. Since the swelling may not be visible, you may feel this as stiffness in the knee.
Any type of swelling will cause limited movement since there’s less space in the knee. Irritation, internal bleeding, and injuries in the knee can lead to fluid buildup. Arthritis, gout, and tumors or cysts are conditions that can also cause swelling.
Pain and swelling are two mechanisms your body uses to protect itself. Together they can lead to stiffness in your knee. Next, let’s look at possible causes.
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1. Injured ligaments
Ligament injuries can be caused by trauma or hyperextension of the knee. These injuries often happen in highly active people or while playing sports. If you damage one of the knee ligaments with a sprain, rupture, or tear, there may be internal bleeding. This results in swelling, stiffness, and limited movement.
2. Injured meniscus
A meniscus injury occurs when you damage or tear the cartilage between the bones of the knee joint. This can happen when you put pressure on or rotate the knee, a common occurrence during sports that involve sudden turns and stops. A meniscus tear can also happen while doing something as simple as getting up too fast from a squat or using stairs. Degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis can also cause meniscal tears.
A meniscus tear can cause pain and swelling. It may be difficult to move your knee over its full range of motion, and your knee may feel locked in a certain position. These restrictions on movement lead to stiffness in the knee.
3. Tightness after knee surgery
The most common types of knee surgery are:
- ACL reconstruction
- knee arthroscopy
- knee ligament repair
- lateral release
- meniscus repair or transplant
- meniscectomy
- microfracture
- plica excision
- tendon repair
- total knee replacement
Some knee stiffness is normal after surgery and can be improved with proper care. It’s important that you take the proper steps to fully heal and prevent knee tightness after surgery. Take time to build up the strength, stability, and flexibility of your knee by doing rehabilitation exercises. It may be a few weeks before you can return to your normal activities. It can take three to six months before you can return to physical work and activities.
Dr. Rahul Bade is one of the best orthopedic doctors in Pune, specializing in knee joint stiffness. He is a very experienced and competent doctor and has a lot of experience in treating knee joint stiffness. He has extensive knowledge in the management of knee joint stiffness and will be able to guide you through all the treatment options available to you. He will be able to provide you with the best possible care and treatment for your condition and will work with you to ensure that you get the best outcome possible.