Tired of waking up in the middle of the night with aching knees?
Do you struggle to fall asleep due to persistent knee pain?
You’re not alone!
Millions of people suffer from knee pain at night, regularly disrupting their sleep patterns and impacting their daily lives[1]. But it doesn’t need to be that way.
Let’s explore the common causes of nighttime knee pain and discuss practical tips and treatment options – and then we’ll introduce you to a minimally invasive procedure that can provide long-lasting relief.
Common Causes of Nighttime Knee Pain
As we’ve said, many people experience knee pain at night. However, their causes of pain may vary.
Some of the most common causes of nighttime knee pain include:
- Osteoarthritis: Wear and tear on the joints can lead to bone-on-bone contact, causing pain and stiffness[2].
- Injuries: Trauma to the knee, like a ligament sprain, can cause chronic pain[3].
- Inflammation: Conditions like tendinitis can cause swelling and pain in the knee[4].
- Medical conditions: Certain conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout, can cause knee pain[5].
Lifestyle Changes for Relief
While it may seem obvious, sometimes simple lifestyle changes are all you need to help alleviate nighttime knee pain.
The following tips are a great first way to address the pain:
- Weight management: Maintaining a healthy weight can reduce pressure on the knee joint[6].
- Low-impact exercises: Gentle exercises like yoga or swimming can help strengthen the muscles around the knee, reducing pain[7].
- Hot/cold therapy: Applying heat or cold packs to the knee can help reduce pain and inflammation[8].
Over-the-Counter Remedies
For temporary relief from knee pain, over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be very effective[9].
However, make sure you talk to your doctor before taking any medication, especially if you have a history of medical conditions or take prescription medications.
Physical Therapy and Exercises
Physical therapy can help strengthen the muscles around the knee, improving flexibility and reducing pain[10].
Specific exercises like squats, lunges, and leg presses can help stabilize the knee joint[11].
Other Medical Treatments
Other medical treatments, such as injections (of PRP or steroids) and nerve ablations, can provide temporary relief[12]. However, these treatments often have limitations, such as:
- Temporary relief: Injections and nerve ablations may only provide short-term relief.
- Potential drawbacks: Steroid injections can have negative side effects, and nerve ablations can cause numbness or weakness[12].
Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE): A Long-Term Solution
Genicular artery embolization, or GAE, is a minimally invasive procedure that targets the source of pain.
By blocking specific arteries, GAE reduces the pain signals to the brain, providing long-lasting relief.
Unlike the temporary measures listed above, the GAE procedure…
- Is minimally invasive: GAE is a quick and relatively painless procedure.
- Has a short recovery time: Most patients can return to normal activities within a few days.
- Leads to long-lasting results: GAE may provide relief for several years.
- May help you avoid surgery: GAE can delay knee replacement surgery – or prevent the need for it altogether.
Eligibility for GAE
If you’re experiencing persistent knee pain, especially at night, and have tried other treatments with limited success, GAE may be an excellent option.
To determine if you’re a good candidate for this procedure, our experts at Centers for Knee Pain doctors will assess your condition using on-site x-ray services. From there, we will recommend the best treatment plan for you.
Conclusion
Nighttime knee pain can be debilitating, but there is hope for relief. By understanding the common causes, embracing practical tips and treatment options, and exploring minimally invasive procedures like GAE, you’ve learned that knee pain relief is possible.
GAE is a solid treatment option, and if you choose this procedure at Centers for Knee Pain, you’ll experience benefits like:
- Personalized care: Our experienced doctors will work with you to determine if GAE is right for you
- Advanced techniques: We use state-of-the-art equipment and techniques to ensure optimal results
- Speedy recovery: Our patients typically experience minimal downtime and can return to normal activities quickly
Don’t let knee pain disrupt your sleep and daily life. There is no need to continue to live in pain. Book your consultation at Centers for Knee Pain today and see if GAE is right for you!
Still curious about knee pain treatment? Take our FREE Knee Quiz and learn more!
Citations
- Lerman, S., Finan, P., Smith, M., & Haythornthwaite, J. (2017). Psychological interventions that target sleep reduce pain catastrophizing in knee osteoarthritis. PAIN, 158, 2189–2195. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001023
- Pérez-Piñero, S., Muñoz-Carrillo, J., Victoria-Montesinos, D., García-Muñoz, A., Andreu-Caravaca, L., Gómez, M.,… López-Román, F. (2023). Efficacy of Boswellia serrata Extract and/or an Omega-3-Based Product for Improving Pain and Function in People Older Than 40 Years with Persistent Knee Pain: A Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Clinical Trial. Nutrients, 15. doi: 10.3390/nu15173848
- Pronk, Y., Peters, M., Sheombar, A., & Brinkman, J. (2020). Effectiveness of a Mobile eHealth App in Guiding Patients in Pain Control and Opiate Use After Total Knee Replacement: Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 8. doi: 10.2196/16415
- Stausholm, M., Naterstad, I., Alfredo, P., Couppé, C., Fersum, K., Leal-Junior, E.,… Bjordal, J. (2022). Short- and Long-Term Effectiveness of Low-Level Laser Therapy Combined with Strength Training in Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 11. doi: 10.3390/jcm11123446
- Majuta, L., Guedon, J., Mitchell, S., Ossipov, M., & Mantyh, P. (2017). Anti-nerve growth factor therapy increases spontaneous day/night activity in mice with orthopedic surgery-induced pain. Pain, 158(4), 605-617. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000000799
- Murvai, G., Hozan, C., Magheru, C., Szilagyi, G., Bulzan, M., Murvai, V.,… Ghitea, T. (2023). Highlighting the Advantages and Benefits of Non-NSAID Treatment After Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Cross-sectional Study. In Vivo, 37, 2371-2380. doi: 10.21873/invivo.13342
- Zeng, C. Y., Zhang, Z. R., Tang, Z. M., & Hua, F. Z. (2021). Benefits and Mechanisms of Exercise Training for Knee Osteoarthritis. Frontiers in physiology, 12, 794062. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2021.794062
- Ariana M, Afrasiabifar A, Najafi Doulatabad S, Mosavi A, Behnammoghadam M. The Effect of Local Heat Therapy versus Cold Rub Gel on Pain and Joint Functions in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis. Clin Nurs Res. 2022 Jul;31(6):1014-1022. doi: 10.1177/10547738211035502. Epub 2021 Jul 26. PMID: 34308678.
- InformedHealth.org [Internet]. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2006-. Osteoarthritis of the knee: Learn More – Which painkillers help in osteoarthritis of the knee? [Updated 2024 May 15]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK544987/
- Foster, N. E., Nicholls, E., Holden, M. A., Healey, E. L., Hay, E. M., & BEEP trial team (2023). Improving the Effectiveness of Exercise Therapy for Adults With Knee Osteoarthritis: A Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial (BEEP Trial). Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translation, 5(2), 100266. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arrct.2023.100266
- Mo, L., Jiang, B., Mei, T., & Zhou, D. (2023). Exercise Therapy for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis. Orthopaedic journal of sports medicine, 11(5), 23259671231172773. https://doi.org/10.1177/23259671231172773
- Elksniņš-Finogejevs, A., Vidal, L., & Peredistijs, A. (2020). Intra-articular platelet-rich plasma vs corticosteroids in the treatment of moderate knee osteoarthritis: a single-center prospective randomized controlled study with a 1-year follow up. Journal of orthopaedic surgery and research, 15(1), 257. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-020-01753-z