Nagging knee pain at night can keep you awake and disturb your sleep. This is, of course, incredibly annoying. But what causes the pain? And more importantly, how can you get rid of it again? We would like to give you more information. Read on below.
What causes knee pain at night?
There are several causes for nagging knee pain at night and why the pain increases precisely at night. We list them for you below.
- Conditions such as osteoarthritis and arthritis cause breakdown of cartilage and inflammation in the joint, which can cause pain and swelling.
- If you have pre-existing trauma, such as tendonitis, knee sprain, bursitis, or a strain, then it can lead to pain at night.
- Gout can also cause pain at night. The likelihood of a gout attack is many times higher at night than during the day. As a result, you may therefore also experience pain symptoms while you sleep.
- If you have many activities during the day or move a lot, then this can lead to overuse of the knee. This causes pain in the evening and at night.
- Problems with the meniscus, such as tearing or injury, can cause pain at night.
The reason knee pain can get worse at night is because the body produces less anti-inflammatory hormones. You also relax more in the evening and at night, making you more likely to notice the pain symptoms. A lying position can cause localised pressure increase and more pain.
What can you do about it?
Fortunately, there are several things you can do to reduce symptoms. Take as much rest as possible and try to avoid overexertion. You can use physiotherapy to strengthen the muscles around the knee. This will reduce the symptoms. You can also choose to sleep with a knee pillow. A knee pillow gives the right support and is very comfortable. You can also wear knee support. You can wear any knee brace at night. Just make sure you take the knee brace off during the day.
Need more information?
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