Why does my knee hurt years after injury?

Post-traumatic arthritis can result after a serious knee injury, including bone fractures and ligament tears. Injuries such as a broken bone can wear down the joint surface and cause arthritis over time. Knee injuries can damage the cartilage in your knee as you get older, leading to the following symptoms: pain.

Can an old knee injury cause pain?

Some of the most common problems are sprained ligaments, meniscus tears, tendinitis, and runner’s knee. If you have an old knee injury that wasn’t properly treated, it may flare up now and then or hurt all the time.

Will my knee pain ever go away?

Knee pain will usually go away without further medical treatment, using only a few self-help measures. If you need help you might first see a physiotherapist or your GP.

How do you treat an old knee injury?

Lifestyle and home remedies

1. Rest. Take a break from your normal activities to reduce repetitive strain on your knee, give the injury time to heal and help prevent further damage.
2. Ice. Ice reduces both pain and inflammation.
3. Heat.
4. Compression.
5. Elevation.

Can a knee injury cause problems later in life?

Knee fractures Knee injuries have been linked with an increased risk of osteoarthritis developing in later life, and young people who experience these should be targeted for primary prevention of osteoarthritis.

How does knee pain affect daily life?

Chronic joint pain can be debilitating. Basic movements, such as walking up a flight of stairs or sitting in a low chair, can become obstacles. Additionally, you may feel discouraged when you’re unable to participate in your favorite sports or hobbies.

How do you know when you need knee replacement?

It may be time to have knee replacement surgery if you have:

1. Severe knee pain that limits your everyday activities.
2. Moderate or severe knee pain while resting, day or night.
3. Long-lasting knee inflammation and swelling that doesn’t get better with rest or medications.
4. A bowing in or out of your leg.

Can a knee repair itself?

No matter the cause, cartilage damage is challenging, because cartilage doesn’t have its own blood supply. Therefore, it can’t heal itself. Once cartilage is damaged, without treatment the damage stays the same or gets larger over time.

Will knee ever heal?

Most people wonder if knee injuries can heal on their own. The answer is yes, but it depends on the type of injury. If you simply strain or sprain your knee, it can heal by itself if you allow it time to rest and repair. Major injuries such as ligament or cartilage tears may require surgery.