Definition
Nowadays, many people are affected by chronic knee pain. The causal diseases can be very different. In principle, the knee joint is a joint that is often affected by complaints and pain.
This is primarily due to the fact that a large part of the human body weight rests on the knees and that many movements and sports can exert enormous pressure and tension on the joint. The stability of the knee is ensured by cartilage and ligaments such as the outer and inner ligaments, as well as the cruciate ligaments and menisci. Injuries to the cartilages and ligaments can only be partially compensated by the muscles, so that tears and damage to these structures often lead to protracted complaints. The practice of certain sports, as well as certain incorrect postures and illnesses can also cause long-term problems in the knee joint.
Knee Arthrosis
A very common irreversible clinical picture of the knee joint is knee joint arthrosis. It is not an independent disease but the result of chronic knee problems. It is an advanced wear and tear of the joint, which mainly affects the joint cartilage.
These lie on the bones involved in the joint and form the joint surfaces. In the long term, incorrect posture, injuries, stress and numerous other diseases can lead to irreversible wear of this joint cartilage, so that the bones of the joint rub against each other. This can be very painful and severely limits the movements in the knee joint. The arthrosis worsens by itself and can at best be stopped in its early stages. At the end of an advanced knee arthrosis, the surgical insertion of a knee prosthesis is often necessary.
Overload due to a knock-knee
A knock-knee is a malposition of the legs, which is due to a malposition in the knee joint. The axis of the leg bends inwards so that the knee is positioned further in the middle than normal. In the front view, both legs thus take on the shape of an X.
Slight deviations from the norm are common and often do not require treatment. More severe forms, on the other hand, can be caused by a vitamin D deficiency or polio. The knock-knees lead to a significant malposition and stress on the knee joint, so that consequential damage such as arthrosis can be promoted.
Overloading due to a bow leg
The bow-leg represents the opposite malposition to the knock-knees. The knees are located too far out in the axis of the leg, which is why an O-shaped leg position is created. Light bow legs do not have to have any disease value and can often occur without any recognisable cause.
Severe forms, on the other hand, have high risks of osteoarthritis and chronic knee pain. In childhood, under certain circumstances an intervention at the growth joints can compensate for a bowed leg in growth. In adults, an advanced bowed leg can be corrected with an operation, if necessary, before consequential damage to the menisci develops.
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