Overweight

Overweight is one of the most common preventable causes of osteoarthritis in the knee joint. Being overweight for many decades increases the probability of knee arthrosis in old age enormously, thereby significantly reducing the average age of the disease. Even normal walking places a considerable additional load on all joints of the leg, so that the joint cartilage wears out due to pressure. In turn, initial movement restrictions caused by knee pain often increase the lack of movement and thus promote obesity. The course for a healthy normal weight should therefore be set at a young age.

These symptoms indicate arthrosis behind the kneecap

Anterior knee pain
Pain on walking
Pain when climbing stairs
Start-up pain at the beginning of an activity
Pain when standing up and in the squatting position
Pain when going downhill
Crunching joint noise during movement
Stiffness of the joint, movement restrictions and start-up problems in the morning
Additional swelling, reddening and overheating of the knee when arthrosis is activated
In advanced stages also pain at rest

The pain when going downhill is a typical leading pain of the arthrosis behind the kneecap. Due to the combination of the slope, the increased muscle tension and the increased pressure on the knee caused by going downhill, the pain is particularly pronounced during this type of movement. Slight movements are possible despite the pain, but higher loads, for example when hiking, should be avoided.

The pain can be wavelike, depending on the so-called “activation” of the arthrosis. If the knee is swollen and reddened, the sensitivity to pain will probably also increase. Climbing stairs is also a painful challenge in cases of osteoarthritis of the kneecap.

Going down stairs in particular is a painful combination of increased pressure and increased muscle tension to cushion the weight. However, the exact procedure of climbing stairs can be improved with the help of a physiotherapist. When climbing stairs, the leg axis should be the primary consideration.

The increased strain on the foot and toes also relieves the knee. The movements you learn may take some getting used to, but they can make climbing stairs much more comfortable. The knee joint is surrounded by a joint capsule, which is lined from the inside by a layer of mucous membrane.

Inside the capsule there are small amounts of fluid to facilitate movement and lubricate the joint surfaces. If the knee is injured, but also in the case of chronic degenerative diseases, joint effusions can occur in the knee. Due to an internal irritation of the joint, an excessive amount of synovial fluid is produced.

The fluid collects inside the joint capsule, cannot drain off and thus leads to an increase in pressure on the joint structures. Swelling is visible from the outside, redness is also noticeable and the function of the knee joint is severely restricted by the accumulation of fluid. Under certain circumstances, the effusion must be punctured with a needle and suctioned.

Like pain, redness, swelling and limited joint function, overheating is a sign of inflammation. Overheating indicates an active inflammatory process in the knee, which can occur in phases in osteoarthritis. Wear of the cartilage behind the kneecap can cause irritation and irritation, causing the so-called “synovial membrane” inside the knee to produce more joint fluid.

This so-called “activation” of arthrosis is accompanied by severe pain, swelling and overheating. After a while, the inflammatory process usually subsides again. A cracking of the kneecap initially has no disease value.

Many people complain about a cracking of the joint without having any damage or other diseases in the knee. However, the cracking can also occur as a symptom of arthrosis behind the kneecap. Particularly in advanced stages, when bone rubs against bone, even slight movements make rubbing, crunching and cracking noises.

The cracking, on the other hand, can also indicate that the kneecap is cracking and that ligaments and cartilage are damaged. If the kneecap leaves its slide bearing, snapping and cracking noises can be heard due to friction on bones and ligaments. After injuries to the knee, a cracking sound can indicate that various structures in the joint are trapped. If the cracking is accompanied by pain, a more precise diagnosis may be necessary.