Table of contents:
- Why do knees feel hot like they are on fire?
- How to deal with hot knees?
- Torn knee ligaments
- Torn cartilage
- Knee osteoarthritis
- Chondromalacia
- Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFS)
- Iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS)
The knee is one of the most actively mobile joints. That is why, if you suddenly feel discomfort when moving your knee, you must be vigilant. Especially when the knee feels hot as if it is burning, of course this condition will obstruct all of your daily routine. Before it's too late, get to know how to treat a burning knee through the following reviews.
Why do knees feel hot like they are on fire?
Knee pain can actually come in many forms. Whether it's just ordinary pain, pain when bending, pain when used to walk, to pain that burns the knee. The sensation of heat can also attack any knee area, such as the front, back, right and left sides, or entirely.
It should not be underestimated, because complaints of hot and burning knees can be a sign of a problem with your movement organs. If this condition is what you are experiencing, it is most likely caused by several things such as:
- Torn knee ligaments
- Torn cartilage
- Severe injury
- Knee osteoarthritis (inflammation of the knee joint)
Sometimes, burning in the front of the knee can also be caused by patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFS) and chondromalacia, which means pain in the kneecap. This condition is more commonly known as runner's knee, because it is experienced by many people who do sports such as basketball, football, running, or tennis.
While the knee is hot and burnt on the outside, it is usually due to an attackiliotibial band syndrome (ITBS). In some cases, the knee will become increasingly uncomfortable to move at night. Some of the following could be the main reasons:
- The diameter of the blood vessels increases while you are sleeping, which puts a strong pressure on the nerves.
- The amount of some hormones in the body decreases during sleep, which then gives the pain signals the opportunity to manifest themselves.
How to deal with hot knees?
Although the various causes previously mentioned both cause symptoms in the form of hot knees, the treatment is certainly different depending on the cause.
Torn knee ligaments
Knee ligament damage that is only partial, or incomplete, can be treated with routine muscle strength training, wearing knee protection while exercising, and still limiting activities that risk aggravating the ligament condition of the knee.
If the knee ligament tear occurs anywhere, surgical procedures are the best way to treat it.
Torn cartilage
The first stage to treat damaged surface of the knee joint due to torn cartilage, namely by means of non-surgical techniques includes:
- Doing muscle strength training and physical therapy
- Take pain relievers, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Injection (injection) of steroid hormones into the knee
Conversely, the condition of the torn cartilage that is already classified as severe so that it is difficult to repair with the methods above, can choose a surgical procedure.
Knee osteoarthritis
Knee osteoarthritis is actually quite difficult to treat. The best way of treatment is to do several things, such as:
- Take pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) and naproxen sodium (Aleve)
- Physical therapy
- Cortisone injection
- Joint replacement surgery (arthroplasty)
Chondromalacia
Initial treatments for burning and burning knees due to chondromalacia include:
- Using ice to reduce swelling
- Take pain relievers
- Rest your knees by avoiding excessive movement, squats, and knees
In certain cases, your doctor may recommend arthroscopic surgery. Arthroscopy is a surgical procedure to remove damaged cartilage fragments.
Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFS)
If the condition is mild, treatment for PFS can be done by:
- Rest your knees from too much movement, and avoid climbing stairs and knees
- Take pain relievers
- Doing rehabilitation exercises
- Perform arthroscopic surgery for severe cases
Iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS)
Although until now there is no truly effective treatment for ITBS, people with it are usually advised to do treatments such as:
- Avoid or even stop running
- Massaging the front of the thigh, back, and glutes (muscles in the buttocks)
- Strengthen the glutes and hip area