Knee Pain

How common is knee pain in the UK and the USA?

Knee pain is a common issue in both the UK and USA. In the UK, it’s estimated that around 1 in 5 adults over the age of 45 experience some degree of knee pain. In the USA, it’s estimated that around 25% of adults experience knee pain.

What are the causes of knee pain?

Knee pain can be caused by a variety of factors, including injury, overuse, arthritis, and obesity. Other possible causes include tendinitis, meniscus tears, and ligament injuries.

Certain activities, such as running or jumping, can also contribute to knee pain. In addition, genetics and age can play a role in the development of knee pain.

What are the symptoms of knee pain?

Symptoms of knee pain can include pain, swelling, stiffness, weakness, instability, popping or clicking sounds, and difficulty walking or standing. The location, severity, and duration of the pain can also vary depending on the underlying cause of the knee pain.

If you are experiencing persistent or severe knee pain – stop! Please go and see your doctor or health professional in order to assess your knee joint and put in place a plan for treatment and in the meantime avoid further aggravating the knee joint!

How can I relieve my knee pain?

There are several ways to relieve knee pain, depending on the underlying cause. Rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE) can help reduce pain and swelling. Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, can also be effective.

Physical therapy, weight loss, and knee braces or supports may also be recommended for knee pain relief. In some cases, surgery may be necessary. It’s super important to get your knee assessed. It’s really easy to just limp on – literally and figuratively but so often this just worsens the problem!

What are my treatment options for knee pain:

Current treatment options for knee injuries include RICE, over-the-counter pain medications, physical therapy, and surgery.

The appropriate treatment will depend on the type and severity of the knee injury. For example, minor sprains or strains may heal on their own with rest and self-care, while more severe injuries, such as ligament tears or fractures, may require surgery.

How can you prevent knee pain?

There are several ways to prevent knee pain, including maintaining a healthy weight, staying active and exercising regularly, wearing proper footwear, warming up before physical activity, using proper form during exercise, and avoiding activities that cause knee pain or discomfort.

How common is knee pain due to osteoarthritis in the UK?

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis and it affects millions of people in the UK. According to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), around 8.75 million people in the UK have sought treatment for osteoarthritis, and the majority of these cases involve the knee joint.

Osteoarthritis occurs when the protective cartilage in the joints breaks down, leading to pain, stiffness, and swelling. It is more commonly seen in older individuals, although it can affect people of all ages.

Several factors can contribute to the development of osteoarthritis, including age, genetics, previous joint injuries, obesity, and repetitive stress on the joints.

Given how common OA knee pain is in the UK and the dramatic impact it can have on your quality of life and the ability to perform everyday tasks – including work, this is a major problem for many people!

What can be done to help my osteoarthritic knee joint pain?

At the Backcare and Acupuncture Clinic we follow the evidence based program call GLA:D (The Good Life with osteoArthritis in Denmark) to help with chronic and persistent knee pain which has been medically confirmed as being due to osteo-arthritis.

This is an evidence-based, patient-centred program designed to improve knee and hip joint health, reduce pain, and improve function in individuals with osteoarthritis.

The program includes education on osteoarthritis and self-management strategies, exercises to improve joint strength and function, and patient outcomes and satisfaction measures.

A systematic review and meta-analysis published in 2020 in the journal Osteoarthritis and Cartilage included 10 studies involving a total of 1,401 participants with knee osteoarthritis.

The review found that the GLA:D program significantly improved pain, function, and quality of life compared to usual care or other exercise programs.

Another study published in the Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy in 2018 found that the GLA:D program significantly reduced pain and improved function in people with knee osteoarthritis.

The study included 117 participants and found that the improvements in pain and function were maintained for up to one year after completing the program.

The program has been shown to be clinically safe and effective in reducing pain and improving function in individuals with osteoarthritis. In addition, it’s been shown to be cost effective with high satisfaction scores from patients using the program and medics prescribing it.

For these reasons, it’s the first choice of treatment in Denmark for knee pain due to osteoarthritis. And it’s now available through the Backcare and Acupuncture Clinics in Sutton Coldfield and  at our Walsall osteopathy clinic.