Knees hurt and joints crack: when it's time to see a doctor

      According to the assistant of the Department of Traumatology, Orthopedics, and Military Field Surgery at Pirogov University, Taulan Gediyev, joint pain cannot be considered normal at any age.

      — Age itself does not cause pain. It only increases the likelihood that accumulated overloads, microtraumas, and biomechanical disorders throughout life will start to manifest, — explains the specialist.

      Simply put, joints suffer more often not because of the number in the passport, but because of how we have moved and loaded our bodies throughout life.

      When is pain a warning signal?

      It is important to distinguish between normal fatigue after exertion and symptoms of a disease. Reasons to see a doctor should include:

      pain at rest or at night;

      pronounced morning stiffness;

      swelling;

      a feeling of warmth in the joint;

      gradual limitation of movement.

      It is especially important not to ignore the situation if you start to move less, limp, or refuse your usual activities due to pain.

      This already indicates a specific problem that needs to be diagnosed.

      Is cracking in the knees dangerous?

      Not always. Sometimes cracking is a completely harmless phenomenon.

      — It can be just a normal sound of gas movement in the joint fluid, known as cavitation, — says the doctor.

      Cracking can also be associated with age-related changes in cartilage tissue. But the sound itself is not the main cause for concern. What matters is what it is accompanied by.

      You should be cautious if the cracking appears:

      along with pain;

      after an injury;

      with a feeling of instability;

      with the joint "locking";

      with swelling.

      In such cases, it may indicate damage to the meniscus, cartilage, or early stages of osteoarthritis.

      Why do joints start to suffer?

      There are usually several reasons. Among the most common:

      excess weight;

      weak muscles;

      sedentary lifestyle;

      repetitive movements;

      sharp overloads.

      All of this disrupts the normal biomechanics of movement. As a result, the load is distributed incorrectly, and some structures wear out faster.

      What helps the joints?

      The most important thing is movement. And this often surprises patients.

      — The basis of prevention and treatment of joint problems is not rest, but proper physical activity, — emphasizes the expert.

      Joints benefit from:

      regular walking;

      moderate physical activity;

      strengthening the thigh and gluteal muscles;

      weight control.

      Even losing a few kilograms can significantly reduce the load on the knee joints.

      The main mistake is to endure and wait for everything to pass on its own. Joint problems rarely disappear without attention and often only progress over time. The sooner a person consults a specialist, the higher the chance of solving the problem without serious treatment and maintaining quality of life for many years.