Knee Pain
The knee is one of the body's largest and most frequently used joints, supporting everyday activities such as standing, walking, climbing stairs and exercising. Because of the amount of force placed on the knee, pain can develop from injury, overuse, inflammation, arthritis or other underlying conditions.
Understanding the Knee Joint
The knee connects the thigh bone to the shin bone and relies on cartilage, ligaments, tendons, muscles and the kneecap to provide both stability and movement. Damage or inflammation affecting any of these structures can lead to pain and reduced function.
Knee Pain Can Develop at Any Age
Younger patients often develop knee pain after sports injuries, falls or overuse, while arthritis and degenerative changes become more common with age. Previous injuries, body weight, occupation and physical activity can also influence knee health.
How Knee Problems May Affect You
Symptoms can vary depending on whether the problem involves cartilage, a ligament, tendon, bursa, bone or the joint itself.
Common Symptoms May Include:
What Can Cause Knee Pain?
Knee pain may develop suddenly after an injury or gradually because of repetitive stress, inflammation or degenerative changes.
Ligament Injuries
ACL and other ligament injuries can occur during sudden changes in direction, twisting movements, falls or sports-related trauma.
Meniscus Injuries
The menisci are cartilage structures that help cushion the knee. Twisting or degeneration can lead to tears that cause pain, swelling, catching or locking.
Arthritis
Osteoarthritis and other forms of arthritis can damage cartilage, cause inflammation and lead to progressive stiffness and joint pain.
Tendon & Bursa Inflammation
Tendinitis and bursitis can develop from repetitive activity or overuse and may cause pain around the front or sides of the knee.
Structural & Mechanical Causes
Not every case of knee pain comes from arthritis or a ligament injury. Changes in alignment and surrounding tissues can also affect knee function.
Patellar Problems
The kneecap may become irritated, track abnormally or dislocate, leading to pain and difficulty with normal knee movement.
Iliotibial Band Syndrome
Irritation of the iliotibial band along the outside of the knee is common in runners and other highly active individuals.
Altered Gait
Pain or weakness involving the hip, ankle or foot can change the way you walk and place additional stress on the knee joint.
Fractures & Trauma
Direct trauma or falls can injure the kneecap or other bones surrounding the joint and may require prompt medical evaluation.
Who Is More Likely to Develop Knee Pain?
Several factors can increase stress on the knee or make injury and degenerative changes more likely over time.
Previous Knee Injury
A previous ligament, cartilage or bone injury can increase the likelihood of future pain and degenerative changes.
Repetitive Activity
Sports, occupations and activities involving repeated bending, kneeling, jumping or running can place additional stress on the knee.
Reduced Strength & Flexibility
Weak or tight muscles may provide less support for the joint and affect normal knee mechanics.
Excess Body Weight
Additional body weight increases the amount of force placed on weight-bearing joints such as the knees during everyday activity.
How Knee Pain Is Diagnosed
An accurate diagnosis begins with identifying where the pain occurs, how it started and which activities or movements make symptoms worse.
Your provider will review the onset of symptoms, previous injuries and activities associated with the pain.
Range of motion, stability, tenderness, swelling, strength and walking mechanics may be evaluated.
X-rays, MRI or other studies may be used to evaluate arthritis, fractures, ligament injuries or cartilage damage.
In selected patients, an image-guided injection may help determine whether the knee joint is the primary source of pain.
Treating Knee Pain
Treatment depends on the cause and severity of symptoms and may include conservative care, rehabilitation, medications or targeted procedures.
Physical Therapy
Targeted exercises can improve strength, flexibility, balance and joint mechanics while helping reduce stress on the knee.
Medication
Anti-inflammatory or other pain medications may be recommended when appropriate to help control pain and inflammation.
Knee Joint Injections
Image-guided injections may be used to help reduce inflammation and pain or to assist in identifying the source of symptoms.
Surgical Evaluation
Significant ligament tears, fractures, advanced arthritis or other structural damage may require consultation with an orthopedic surgeon.
Persistent Knee Pain Shouldn't Keep You From Moving.
Mild soreness after activity may improve with rest, but pain that persists, returns repeatedly or limits walking and everyday activity should be evaluated. Seek prompt medical care for severe swelling, an obvious deformity, inability to bear weight, a locked knee, fever with a hot swollen joint or significant pain after an injury.
Is Knee Pain Limiting Your Mobility?
Schedule a consultation to identify the source of your knee pain and discuss treatment options designed to help you move more comfortably.