Collin County Living Well Magazine Fall 2013 | Page 26

The Latest Advancements in Knee Pain Treatment

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t rst glance, the knee seems to be as simple as a hinge on a door. However, watch a skilled running back dodge and weave through a group of pursuers or a great dancer elegantly gliding across the oor and it’s obvious knees can swivel, twist and turn many di?erent ways. It’s because of this exibility that the legs can hold up the weight of the body. Unfortunately, humans tend to push their body parts – knees, hips and shoulders – to extremes and this often leads to injuries and osteoarthritis that can cause chronic pain in these joints. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons estimates that more than 19.4 million Americans experience some form of knee pain. There are several reasons why chronic knee pain has become one of the most treated of all medical aliments which has to do with the make-up and mechanics of this joint.

A Quick Look at the Knee.
The knee joint is the meeting point of two large bones and a small bone of the leg. Within this joint, the bottom end of the thigh bone, known as the femur, encounters the top end of the shin bone or tibia. The smaller bone is the kneecap or patella. The kneecap rests against a groove at the end of the femur, in which it can move around. ar Many knee problems originate with a protective coating of tissue called cartilage that surrounds these bones. These bones are in constant motion. However, the smooth cartilage provides cushioning and allows them to move around easily. If this cartilage is damaged knee pain can result. Here’s why.