Hello Sir,

Thanks for the query.

Knee pain is a common complaint but the causes are varied and diverse. Age plays an important role as with elderly ages, osteoarthritis resulting from degenerative joint disease is a common and important cause to consider.

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease which is predisposed by trauma and over weight. Normal over use such as exercises, stair climbing, weight carrying can all contribute to it. It particular presents with pain that is provoke by effort and calms on rest. Acutely evolving forms would present with warmth of the joint and even swelling. Osteoarthritis could also be associated with night leg cramps. Other causes that could result from over use, are inflammation of tendons or small sacs (bursa) around the joint (tendinitis and bursitis respectively).

Other medical conditions such as gout, pseudogout, septic arthritis, rheumatoid diseases etc can cause pain. However, these conditions have sudden onset with severe pains and loss of function in most cases.

An in dept evaluation is necessary to understand actually what is the cause; an x-ray of the knee and analysis of joint fluid (search of crystals for gout and increase white blood cells for infection). Meanwhile anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen, diclofenac or indomethacin could be helpful while the diagnosis is made.

As regards the cramps, it is possible if the surgery you had was on vertebrae that the leg cramps are due to stenosis of your vertebral canal or irritation of nerves at that level. Other causes include muscle fatigue and age as well.

You might consider visiting a rheumatologist for detail examination and work ups.

Hope this answers your query. If you have more query i will be ready to help.

Best regards and hope this helps

---