What it means
A very common complaint at any age. It can come from injury to the bones, cartilage, ligaments or tendons, from wear and tear such as osteoarthritisos-tee-oh-ar-THRY-tisA long-term joint disease in which the cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones wears away.oste/o bonearthr/o joint-itis inflammationFull entry , from inflammation such as rheumatoid arthritisROO-muh-toyd ar-THRY-tisA long-term autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the lining of the joints.rheumat/o flowing, joint pain-oid likearthr/o joint-itis inflammationFull entry or gout, or from infection. Pain can also be felt in the knee when the problem is in the hip.
For the nurse
Ask where the pain is, when it started, what makes it worse and how it affects walking. Look for swelling, redness, warmth and range of motion, and compare with the other knee.
At a glance
| Spanish | dolor de rodilla |
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Related terms
range of motion
How far a joint can move in each of its normal directions, and the exercises that move joints through it.
osteoarthritis
A long-term joint disease in which the cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones wears away.
rheumatoid arthritis
A long-term autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the lining of the joints.
RICE
Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation: a memory aid for first care of a sprain, strain or bruise.