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How Does Neuropathy and Knee Pain Have Any Relation?


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:

What is Neuropathy Pain?

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.

What Causes Neuropathy Pain?

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 Pain Symptoms

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

What is Knee Pain?

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.

What Causes Knee 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.

Knee Pain Symptoms

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

Are Neuropathy and Knee Pain Connected?

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.

Treatments to Help Neuropathy and Knee Pain

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.

Lifestyle   Health