Arthrosis/meniscus damage
The meniscus represents a kind of disc-shaped cartilage in the knee joint.There is an inner and an outer meniscus. They serve to compensate for the unequal joint shapes and serve to “buffer” pressure loads on the joint surfaces. Each meniscus consists of three parts: an anterior horn, a posterior horn and a middle part.
Cracking can occur in each of these parts. Depending on the type of crack shape, one can find, for example, basket handle, longitudinal or even horizontal cracks. Through a meniscus damage it can come now to internal knee pain.
Damage can be caused on the one hand by external violence/force, or on the other hand by years of wear and tear. Chronic overstrain, for example caused by extreme sporting activity, can lead to small, fine cracks, which over time may eventually lead to a larger crack or even a tear during normal movement. Meniscus damage often results from a combination of twisting and bending movements.
The inner meniscus is then most frequently affected, since it is fixed to the inner collateral ligament and is therefore particularly at risk for injury. Often, meniscus injuries caused by twisting and bending movements also result in an injury to the anterior cruciate ligament. A classic injury involving the inner meniscus and the anterior cruciate ligament is the “unhappy triad injury”, in which the inner collateral ligament is also torn.
The inner knee pain is then usually stabbing or even pulling. They can occur suddenly and be very strong and often get worse especially in squatting position. It is possible that the knee movement is restricted because parts of the meniscus block the movement.
Stretching the leg in particular causes severe pain. Often, a so-called gentle position of the knee occurs, whereby the knee joint remains flexed. In addition to the pain in the knee, the restriction of movement and the relieving posture, a swelling in the knee joint can occur, which can lead to a so-called “dancing patella”.
Osteoarthritis represents a progressive damage and ultimately the degradation of the joint cartilage. Without the appropriate cartilage coating, the joint surfaces rub directly against each other, causing pain in the joint. Arthrosis in the knee joint occurs mainly at the rear surface of the patella and at the articular processes of the femur.
Basically, there are two types of joint arthrosis. Either arthrosis is caused by the consequences of an accident or by wear and tear of the cartilage in the course of life. Incorrect or even overloading, for example caused by too intensive running training, but also malpositions (here especially bow legs and knock-knees) and possible previous damage to the knee joint due to ligament or meniscus injuries are very common triggers for arthrosis.
However, severe overweight can also lead to arthrosis of the knee due to high cartilage wear. The inner knee pain in osteoarthritis is mainly located in the area of the joint space. They are often stabbing and increase in intensity during exertion.
Especially activities such as climbing stairs are very painful for people with knee osteoarthritis, as it is mainly the bending movement that causes the pain in the knee. If the strain is too great, they can already occur at rest. Otherwise, people with knee joint arthrosis often experience what is known as “morning tartar” pain. The arthrosis can become inflamed by persistent irritation and lead to arthritis, so that swelling or joint effusion may be added to the pain.
