Knee Pain Myths & Facts Quiz

  • Knee pain only happens to older people.

     

    A. Myth

     

    B. Fact

    Correct Answer
    The correct answer is myth. Knee pain can occur in people of all ages. It may start suddenly, after an injury or exercise. It also may begin as mild pain that slowly worsens over time.

  • Being overweight can put you at higher risk for knee problems.

     

    A. Myth

     

    B. Fact

    Correct Answer
    The correct answer is fact. Every extra pound you carry adds about five extra pounds of pressure on your knees when you go up and down stairs. If you need to shed a few pounds, talk with your doctor about healthy ways to lose weight.

  • If you have knee pain, it’s probably arthritis.

     

    A. Myth

     

    B. Fact

    Correct Answer
    The correct answer is myth. Arthritis is a common cause of knee pain, but there are many others. These include bursitis, tendinitis, sprains, and strains. If minor knee pain doesn’t go away after three days of home treatment, see your doctor.

  • Heat is the best treatment for any new knee pain.

     

    A. Myth

     

    B. Fact

    Correct Answer
    The correct answer is myth. When you have new knee pain, it’s best to apply ice. Cover your knee with a towel and place ice on it for 15 minutes at a time. At first, you can use it every hour for up to 15 minutes. After the first day, use it at least four times a day. Other treatments include resting your knee and keeping it raised.

  • Bursitis is often caused by overuse of your knee.

     

    A. Myth

     

    B. Fact

    Correct Answer
    The correct answer is fact. Bursitis is the swelling and irritation of the bursa. This is a fluid-filled sac that acts as a cushion between muscles, tendons, and joints. You can get bursitis from suddenly becoming more active or from being overweight. You may notice redness and swelling around the knee and stiffness or pain when you move your knee.

  • Standing can make knee pain from bursitis worse.

     

    A. True

     

    B. False

    Correct Answer
    The correct answer is true. To relieve the pain, try not to stand for long periods and place a pillow between your knees when sleeping on your side. You can use ice up to four times a day, 15 minutes at a time for the first two to three days to relieve pain.

  • Pain in the front of the knee is often caused by:

     

    A. Tendinitis

     

    B. Irritation of the cartilage under the kneecap

     

    C. Arthritis

     

    D. A sprain

     

    E. All of the above

    Correct Answer
    The correct answer is all of the above. Stretching and strengthening the muscles in the front and the back of the leg help with this type of knee pain. Ask your doctor or physical therapist to show you exercises for your upper leg muscles.

  • If you have pain in the front of the knee, it may help to:

     

    A. Walk down hills instead of running

     

    B. Run on a track instead of cement

     

    C. Reduce the amount of exercise you do

     

    D. All of the above

    Correct Answer
    The correct answer is all of the above. While exercise is good for your joints, certain high-impact activities can do more damage than good if you have joint pain. Taking steps to reduce the impact on your knees during exercise can help protect your joints.

  • Warming up and stretching before exercise helps protect your knees.

     

    A. Myth

     

    B. Fact

    Correct Answer
    The correct answer is fact. Warming up will help reduce the pressure on your knees during exercise. Start by walking for a few minutes. Then stretch the muscles in the front and back of your thighs to reduce tension in the knee. Ask your doctor or physical therapist for other suggestions for stretching.

  • If you hear a “popping” sound when you injure your knee, it’s most likely:

     

    A. Tendinitis

     

    B. Bursitis

     

    C. A tear in the meniscus

     

    D. A ligament injury

     

    E. C or D

    Correct Answer
    The correct answer is E. If you have one of these knee injuries, you will often feel the symptoms right away. You may also have knee swelling, knee pain when walking, or locking or catching of the knee. If you have any of these symptoms, call your doctor right away.

  • Physical therapy is most helpful for which kind of knee pain?

     

    A. Muscle strains

     

    B. Sprains

     

    C. Bursitis

     

    D. Arthritis

     

    E. C and D

     

    F. All of the above

    Correct Answer
    The correct answer is all of the above. Physical therapy can teach you exercises to make your knee stronger. A physical therapist may also use certain treatments to help relieve your knee pain. Ask your doctor if you should have physical therapy for your knee pain.