Suffering
from neuropathy and knee pain can cause significant disruption to a person’s
quality of life. Though the two conditions can have different causes and affect
other parts of the body, the two are related. Neuropathy of the infrapatellar
branch of the saphenous nerve is a condition of the knee which is often
overlooked among patients complaining of knee pain. Several factors can cause
neuropathy and knee pain, and the two conditions, causes, symptoms, and
treatments often overlap.
Continue
reading to learn more about how neuropathy and knee pain are related:
Neuropathy
pain is caused when the nerves become injured or damaged, which disrupts the
transfer of information between the brain and spinal cord with the muscles,
skin, and body parts. The pain often causes pain and discomfort, including a
burning sensation to excruciating pain. Some people have difficulty wearing
heavy, thick clothing because it aggravates the pain by pressuring the surface
nerves.
Several
things can cause neuropathy pain, including nerve pressure and nerve damage.
Sometimes nerve damage can result from surgery, trauma, cancer, multiple
sclerosis, and some viral infections. In addition, it is possible to experience
chronic neuropathy pain, which could be linked to underlying health conditions,
such as cancer or diabetes. In some cases, there is no identifiable cause of
the neuropathy pain, which can be very distressing for an individual.
Neuropathy
symptoms can present themselves in various ways. Symptoms can develop quickly
or slowly. Common symptoms of neuropathy pain include the following:
●
Pain
●
The
feeling of pins and needles
●
Numbness
●
Burning
sensation
●
Loss
of balance or coordination.
●
Twitching
●
Muscle
cramps
●
Muscle
weakness
●
Difficulty
lifting the foot and toes
●
Constipation
or diarrhea
●
Feeling
bloated
●
Low
blood pressure
●
Rapid
heartbeat
●
Excessive
or lack of sweating
●
Weakness
in the fingers
Knee
pain is a common complaint among many people, regardless of age, caused by wear
and tear, injury, or certain medical conditions. Knee pain can vary from mild
aches and pains to debilitating pain that prevents a person from walking. In
many cases, the root cause of knee pain is known because it is the result of an
injury, while some patients may require a knee MRI to
determine the cause of the pain.
Common
causes of knee pain are direct trauma, followed closely by arthritis caused by
aging and wear and tear on the joint. Other common causes of knee pain may
include infection, degenerative disorders, cartilage issues, or being
overweight. In addition, some people experience knee pain with gout or a lack
of muscle strength or flexibility.
In
most cases, a knee MRI is necessary to diagnose the true cause of the knee
pain.
Suffering
from knee pain symptoms can cause significant disruption to a person’s daily
routine. The pain can range from gentle aches to severe pain, depending on the
root cause. Common symptoms of knee pain may include the following:
●
Swelling
●
Stiffness
●
Changes
in skin color around the knee (red or pale)
●
Instability
●
Weakness
●
Limited
movement and flexibility
●
Incapable
of putting pressure on the leg
●
Trouble
walking without a limp
Neuropathy
and knee pain can be connected, especially if there is damage to the
infrapatellar branch of the saphenous nerve. Damage to this nerve can cause
pain that radiates in and around the knee joint, causing discomfort in sitting,
standing, walking, stretching, or performing any activity. It is uncomfortable
to deal with knee pain caused by a neuropathic condition.
Treating
neuropathy and knee pain can require similar treatment methods and options.
Both treatments are designed to help reduce the side effects of symptoms and
improve the patient’s quality of life, helping them live with as little pain as
possible.
Some
common treatments for neuropathy may include the following:
●
Anti-epileptics
●
Antidepressants
●
Opioids
●
Capsaicin
cream
●
Lidocaine
patch
●
Nerve
blocks and injections
●
TENS:
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
●
PENS:
Percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
●
Acupuncture
Patients
who experience knee pain may benefit from the following treatments:
●
Pain
and anti-inflammatory medications
●
Therapy
●
Injections
●
Surgery
Neuropathy
and knee pain have similar symptoms, causes, and treatments, which can often
link these two conditions together. Though there is neuropathic knee pain, the
two conditions are typically diagnosed and treated individually. If you are
experiencing any of the above-listed symptoms, speak with your primary care
physicians to learn more about neuropathy or knee pain. Your doctor can help
provide a proper diagnosis and effective treatment plan.