Osteoarthritis: The main cause of this is the destruction of cartilage in the joints as we age. Pain and swelling are felt when the bones rub against each other.
Injuries:
Ligament injuries: Injuries to the ligaments in the knee (especially the ACL) during sports or falls cause pain.
Meniscus Tear: Injuries to the cushion-like part of the knee.
Obesity: Excess weight puts a lot of pressure on the knee joints. This accelerates wear and tear and increases pain.
Rheumatoid Arthritis: This is an autoimmune disease. Swelling in the joints causes severe pain and difficulty bending the knee.
Gout: The accumulation of uric acid crystals in the joints causes sudden, severe pain and swelling.
Weakness of the muscles: If the muscles in the thigh (Quadriceps) are not strong, the knee joints have to work extra hard, which leads to pain.
Wrong lifestyle: Sitting with knees bent for long periods of time, going up and down stairs excessively, and doing strenuous exercises without attention can lead to knee pain.
