Do you have trouble sleeping because of your knee pain? Nocturnal joint pain can be caused by a variety of medical conditions and injuries, making it difficult to determine the best treatment option. Here are some of the most common causes of knee pain while sleeping, as well as some home remedies and simple sleep-improvement tips. You don't have to go through life unable to sleep because of knee pain. So keep reading to learn how to completely eliminate this pain.

Why is Knee Pain Worse at Night?

There are several reasons why your knee pain worsens at night:

At night, pain is perceived to be worse. As you climb into bed and begin to quiet your mind, the pain becomes more pronounced than when you were active and distracted by your activities during the day.
Your knee joint may swell as a result of an active day. Your muscles and surrounding tissue tighten when you lie down to rest. The synovial fluid that circulates around your knee joint will slow, causing additional swelling.

Common Causes of Knee Pain While Sleeping

Knee pain while sleeping can be caused by a variety of conditions. If you're wondering what's causing your nighttime pain, look at the conditions listed below to see if your pain falls into one of these categories. Always consult your doctor for a diagnosis of any injury or condition.

Torn Meniscus

A torn meniscus is a tear in the cartilage of the knee caused by a sudden twisting movement. It's common among football, hockey, and tennis players. A popping sound is heard, followed by knee pain and swelling. People who have had a torn meniscus may feel as if their knee is about to give way or as if their knee is locked in a bent position and cannot be straightened.

Chondromalacia

Chondromalacia, also known as runner's knee, is a condition that occurs when the cartilage beneath the kneecap becomes damaged and inflamed. Knee pain worsens after sitting for an extended period of time, using the stairs, or rising from a seated position. When sufferers straighten their knees, they may experience a grinding sensation.

Knee Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the two most common types of arthritis. The most common type of arthritis is knee osteoarthritis. The cartilage in the knee wears away from daily use in knee osteoarthritis, causing the bones to rub together. Pain, swelling, and knee stiffness are common symptoms. Knee arthritis pain can be debilitating if not treated properly.

Gout

Gout is an inflammatory arthritis in which too much uric acid accumulates in the blood. The uric acid then crystallizes within the joint, causing gout symptoms. Any joint, including the knee, can experience this. Gout symptoms are distinguished by the fact that the pain is sudden, often referred to as an attack, and usually includes pain, redness, and tenderness in the joint.

Knee Bursitis

Knee bursitis is an inflammation of the bursa, which is a fluid-filled sac in the knee joint. Your knee has multiple bursae, the one that usually becomes inflamed sitting over your kneecap. The bursae cushion the joint and reduce friction in the knee. Knee bursitis is a mildly painful condition that worsens when kneeling. When walking, sufferers experience swelling, stiffness, and pain.

Iliotibial Band Syndrome

If you are a runner or participate in an activity that requires repeated knee bending, you are more likely to develop iliotibial band syndrome. The IT band runs from the outside of your hip to the top of your shin, passing through the outside of your knee. When the IT band tightens, it rubs against the knee. This causes both the IT band and the bursa, the rubbed structure, to swell.

Illiotibial band syndrome symptoms include pain on the outside of the knee or between the hips and knees. Swelling, burning, or tenderness around the knee joint is also possible.

Home Remedies for Knee Pain at Night

When you can't sleep due to acute or chronic pain, you'll do almost anything to get some rest. This section discusses simple and effective home remedies for knee pain that can improve your sleep quality and provide pain relief.

Hot or Cold Pack

A hot pack warms the knee joint, relaxing muscles and relieving pain while increasing blood flow to the area. Ice packs, on the other hand, reduce swelling, numb the area, and constrict blood vessels, reducing blood flow. When used before bedtime, hot or cold packs provide pain relief for people with knee pain. If you suffer from any of the conditions listed above, try hot or cold therapy. Just don't sleep with a heating or cooling device on.

Medication

Medication for knee pain is classified as either over-the-counter or prescription. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen and naproxen are available over-the-counter and are used to treat pain and swelling. They are effective for pain caused by a torn meniscus, iliotibial band syndrome, knee bursitis, gout, and chondromalacia. Some people with knee osteoarthritis may find relief with an NSAID, but they will most likely need a doctor's prescription to help manage this chronic condition.

Massage

Massage to relieve knee pain while sleeping can be performed during a physical therapy session or by self-massaging your knee before bed. Massage relaxes muscles, breaks up knots, and relieves tension. Massage therapy can help with conditions like iliotibial band syndrome, torn meniscus, knee bursitis, and chondromalacia.

Support and Comfort

Finding pain relief can be as simple as modifying your sleeping position with a support tool. A knee pillow, for example, is intended to relieve pressure on your hips, back, and knees. If you have a torn meniscus, iliotibial band syndrome, knee bursitis, knee osteoarthritis, or chondromalacia, you will most likely benefit the most. However, almost anyone will find that knee pillows improve their nighttime comfort.

Compression

Your knee may swell at night due to a lack of movement. Wearing a compression device will help to reduce the inflammation and stiffness that many people experience after sleeping all night. If your knee is swollen during the day, compression devices can usually be worn all day. Compression will benefit any of the conditions listed above, but it may be uncomfortable for those suffering from gout or knee osteoarthritis.

Tips for Improving Sleep With Joint Pain

When your knee pain just won't go away, here are a few extra tips to help you sleep well at night.

Take a Warm Bath Before Bed

A warm bath, like using a heating pad, will soothe your muscles while also providing a relaxing environment. Take a warm bath before bed to prepare your mind and body for the night.

Check Your Sleeping Posture

It may take a new sleeping position to relieve pressure on your knee. Try sleeping on your side with a pillow between your knees if you normally sleep on your back.

Time Medications Appropriately

If you are taking pain relievers, adjust the timing so that you are due for a dose close to bedtime. This will allow the medication to work while you are sleeping. Before changing the timing of your prescription medications, consult with your doctor.

Lose Excess Weight

Excess weight can put extra strain on the knees, causing pain and injury. Losing weight can relieve some of the strain on your joints. Consult your doctor about the best way to lose weight for you.

Change Daily Routines

Nothing changes if nothing changes, as most people have heard. Change your daily routine to reduce evening walking or activities to allow your knee to cool down before bed.

Elevate Legs

The path of least resistance is taken by swelling. Elevating your legs makes it more difficult for fluid to fill the soft tissues in your knees and legs.

Improve Sleep Hygiene

Create a sleep routine that is simple to follow and fits into your schedule. Make time to relax with a bath, a good book, or yoga. This allows your body and mind to unwind before going to bed.

Products that can help with knee pain

Safely Managing Knee Pain

Many different conditions or injuries can cause knee pain. If you have knee pain, consult your doctor for a diagnosis and treatment plan. Knee injuries frequently share symptoms such as swelling, redness, and pain. These symptoms can disrupt sleep and cause you to toss and turn. We hope that with the assistance of your doctor and the home remedies suggested in this article, you will be able to sleep more soundly and pain-free.

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