Orthopedics Hip & Knee Causes of Pain Home Office Ergonomics Guide Home Office Ergonomics Guide Overview Your Back Back Pain Exercises Anatomy General Tips Products Holistic Help Your Neck Neck Pain Exercises Anatomy General Tips Products Holistic Help Your Eyes Eye Strain Exercises Anatomy General Tips Products Your Shoulders Shoulder Pain Exercises Anatomy General Tips Products Your Wrists Wrist Pain Exercises Anatomy General Tips Products Your Hands Hand Pain Exercises Anatomy General Tips Products Your Hips Hip Pain Exercises Anatomy General Tips Products Your Knees Knee Pain Exercises Anatomy General Tips Products Causes of Knee Pain and Treatment Options By Jonathan Cluett, MD Jonathan Cluett, MD LinkedIn Twitter Jonathan Cluett, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with subspecialty training in sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery. Learn about our editorial process Updated on December 04, 2021 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Miho J. Tanaka, MD Medically reviewed by Miho J. Tanaka, MD Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Miho J. Tanaka, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who specializes in the treatment of sports medicine injuries. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Common Causes Other Causes Diagnosis Treatments Prevention Frequently Asked Questions Next in Home Office Ergonomics Guide Exercises to Keep Your Knees Healthy Knee pain is quite common. It can be debilitating. But knee pain is often very treatable. A lot of things can trigger knee pain. They include inherited medical conditions, sudden trauma, and putting too much pressure on the joint. The key to ending knee pain is finding its cause. Then your healthcare provider can form the right treatment plan for you. In this article, you'll learn about many causes of knee pain, how they're diagnosed, and what treatment options are available. Illustration by Alexandra Gordon, Verywell Common Causes of Knee Pain Your knee is a complex structure. It includes three bones: The lower part of the thighboneThe upper part of the shinboneThe kneecap Strong ligaments and tendons hold these bones together. Cartilage under the kneecap cushions and stabilizes the bones. Any damage or disease in these structures can cause knee pain. Common causes of knee pain include: ArthritisLigament injuriesTorn meniscusPatellar tendonitis and tearPatellofemoral pain syndromeBaker's cystPrepatellar bursitisIliotibial band syndrome Anatomy of the Knee Knee Arthritis Several types of arthritis can affect the knee joint. The two most common are osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Knee OA develops as a result of "wear and tear" of knee cartilage. It's more common in people over 50. It may start as a sharp pain when you move. RA is an autoimmune disease in which your immune system attacks your joints. That causes pain, swelling, redness, and warmth. RA knee pain tends to improve with activity. Knee Ligament Injuries You have four primary ligaments in your knee: Medial collateral ligament (MCL): Runs up the inside of your knee. Medial means toward the middle.Lateral collateral ligament (LCL): Runs up the outside of your knee. Lateral means away from the center of the body.Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL): Runs diagonally through the inside of your knee joint, in front of the PCL. Anterior means front.Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL): Runs diagonally through the inside of the knee joint, behind the ACL. Posterior means behind. They all attach your thighbone (femur) to your tibia (shin bone). LIGAMENT INJURY CAUSES FEELS LIKE MCL Direct blow to the outside of the knee Pain inside the knee LCL Blow to the inside of the knee Pain on the outside of the knee ACL Direct blow or sudden direction change while running The knee is giving out or "popping" PCL High-energy impact, like from a car accident Pain in the back of the knee plus instability ACL injuries are the most common type of knee injury. PCL injuries are fairly uncommon. Torn Knee Cartilage (Meniscus) The menisci are tough, "C" shaped pieces of cartilage. Two in each knee cushion the joint. A torn meniscus is a common cause of knee pain. When a meniscus tears, you may hear a "pop." That's followed by gradually developing symptoms such as: Stiffness Swelling ClickingLockingCatching When you're young, it's most likely a sports injury. When you're older, weakness from age makes them more prone to tears. Patellar Tendonitis and Tear Patellar tendonitis is inflammation of the patellar tendon. That's a large tendon connecting your kneecap to the top of your tibia. Patellar tendonitis is most common in athletes who do a lot of running and jumping. It's often described as a constant dull pain that becomes sharp when you're active. In some cases, a weak patellar tendon can tear. A patellar tendon tear causes: Severe painSwelling over the kneeA tearing or popping sensation If it's a bad tear, you might notice an indentation at the bottom of your kneecap. The knee may give out when you walk. Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome Patellofemoral pain syndrome is most common in adolescents and young adults. It's usually caused by vigorous activities that stress the knee, such as: RunningSquattingClimbing stairs Abnormal knee alignment can cause it, as well. So can softened cartilage that's wearing away. This is a condition called chondromalacia patella. Patellofemoral pain syndrome causes a dull, aching pain under the kneecap. Pain gets worse with frequent knee bending or after sitting for a long time. It may pop when you climb stairs or stand up. Knee swelling and locking are rare in this syndrome. Other Common Causes Other common causes of knee pain include: Baker's cyst: Swelling in the back of the knee joint. May be due to a meniscus tear. Can cause a "tightening" pain, stiffness, and a visible bulge that gets worse with activity. Prepatellar bursitis: Swelling of the prepatellar bursa (fluid-filled sac over the kneecap). May cause a mild ache. Can result from kneeling a lot (e.g., gardening, laying carpet). Iliotibial band (ITB) syndrome: Swelling of the ITB (thick fibers on the outside of the thigh). Often caused by overuse. Causes aching and burning pain on the outside of the knee joint. Why Is My Knee Swollen? Recap Many parts of the knee can be injured. This includes ligaments, tendons, and cartilage. Infections and autoimmune disease may also cause knee pain.Sports, overuse, repetitive use, and age all can contribute to knee injuries. Less Common Causes of Knee Pain Less-common causes of significant knee pain include conditions and injuries. Injuries include: Dislocated kneecap: Causes are sharp blows to the knee or twisting. Severe pain in the front of the knee plus buckling, slipping, or catching during movement. Kneecap fracture: Causes are a direct blow or falling onto the knee. Pain, difficulty straightening the leg, bruising, and swelling can occur. Sometimes there's visible deformity. Conditions include: Gout: High uric acid levels form sharp crystals inside the joint. Affects the knee, hip, fingers, and especially the big toe. Pain can be severe. Plica syndrome: Irritation of the synovium (joint lining). Pain is in the middle and front of the knee. Worsens with inactivity or squatting, running, or kneeling. The knee may pop when bent. Osgood-Schlatter disease: Strikes after growth spurts in kids between 9 and 14. Pain is in the front of the knee. It improves with rest and worsens with activities like running and jumping. Osteochondritis dissecans: In children, lack of blood supply weakens the bone and cartilage. The knee may separate from the underlying bone. Causes pain with activity. Knee joint infection: Causes significant pain, swelling, warmth, painful movements, and fever. It may result from a bacterial infection in the bloodstream. Bone tumor: Very rarely the source of knee pain. Symptoms include fever, unintentional weight loss, and pain that's worse at night. A gout attack often affects one joint at a time. It causes severe burning pain, swelling, warmth, and redness. What You Should Know About Osteosarcoma (Bone Cancer) Diagnosis Some knee conditions can be diagnosed based on a physical examination alone. But additional tests may confirm a diagnosis. They can also help determine the best treatments. Medical History Your healthcare provider will likely ask you a lot of questions about your pain. Be prepared to tell them: Location: Is the pain on one side, the front, or the back of the knee?Timing: What time of day is your pain worst? What activities hurt? How long does the pain last?Other symptoms: Do you have swelling, fever or chills (a sign of infection), aches in other areas, fatigue, or unexplained weight loss? Physical Examination A thorough physical exam is important for finding the cause of knee pain. Your provider will check for: Swelling: Whether there's swelling and, if so, when it began.Range of motion: How well you use your knee, including straightening, bending, and standing.Stability: Damage to ligaments can make your knee feel like it's giving out.Locking: Locking is when you can't bend or straighten your knee. That can be due to something physically blocking the motion or by pain that keeps you from moving it normally.Noises: Painful popping, snapping, grinding, or crunching sounds are all clues as to the cause. Chondromalacia can cause a crunching sensation when you place your hand over the kneecap and bend your knee. Knee arthritis may cause a similar grinding sensation. Imaging Your healthcare provider may order imaging studies. Those let them see what's happening inside. They usually start with an X-ray. That shows the bones plus signs of soft tissue injury, arthritis, or alignment problems. They may also order an ultrasound or an MRI to help evaluate soft tissue injuries. Differential Diagnoses Not all knee pain points to a problem in the knee itself. Sometimes it's caused by a problem in the: Lower back Sacroiliac joint Hip This is called referred pain. Your healthcare provider may be able to identify referred pain based on your physical exam. For example, if it's referred pain, your knee won't hurt when it's pressed on. You also won't have swelling or impaired range of motion. Recap Diagnosing knee pain involves gathering details about your pain, its characteristics, where it is, and when it started.Your provider will physically examine your knee. They may also order imaging tests to see what's happening inside.If your knee isn't sore when pressed on, you may have referred pain from your lower back or hip. Treatments Treatment depends on what's causing your pain. It may include a combination of options to help relieve pain and, if possible, cure the underlying problem. Self-Care Strategies Many initial therapies for knee pain are simple, straightforward, and can be done at home. Rest: The first treatment for most common causes of knee pain is temporary rest. This allows inflammation to subside. Sometimes, this is all that's needed to relieve knee pain.Ice: Using a cold gel pack or bag of ice can help lessen knee pain. Don't put ice or a gel pack directly against your skin. Ice for only 15 to 20-minutes at a time, several times a day.Support: Supports such as taping, braces, splints, wraps, straps, or casts may help, depending on your diagnosis. Physical Therapy Physical therapy is extremely important for almost all orthopedic conditions. Physical therapist use many techniques to: Increase strengthImprove mobilityGet you back to your pre-injury activity level Medications Medications are often used to alleviate pain. Sometimes, they can treat the underlying problem, too. NSAIDs: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications are commonly used for knee pain from arthritis, bursitis, and tendonitis. Injections: For ongoing pain and swelling despite self-care, you may be given injections of cortisone—a powerful anti-inflammatory. It's especially effective against knee OA. Other medications: Other medications may help with certain diagnoses. These include disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs for RA, antibiotics for infections, or steroids for gout. Complementary and Alternative Therapies A number of mind-body therapies may be used to treat knee pain. These include: Acupuncture YogaTai chi These are especially common for knee osteoarthritis. The once-popular supplements glucosamine and chondroitin have fallen out of favor for knee osteoarthritis. That's due to a lack of scientific proof. Always talk to your healthcare provider before taking any supplements or medications. Surgery Surgery is generally reserved for specific diagnoses, such as: Certain ligament injuries or knee dislocationsCertain knee fracturesInfected knee joints that require surgical drainageSome advanced cases of knee osteoarthritis Recap The first course of treatment for knee pain is to rest and apply ice. You might use a brace or other support as well. Physical therapy and medication are usually recommended for injuries or chronic pain. Discuss alternative treatments with your doctor.Sometimes, surgery can repair structural damage to ligaments, tendons, cartilage, or bone. Prevention You can do several things to prevent knee injuries or stop pain from getting worse. These include: Losing weight (if you're overweight or obese)Strengthening and stretching your quadriceps and hamstrings musclesLow-impact aerobic exercises that strengthen muscles without putting stress on your knee (e.g., swimming, cycling)Wearing knee pads if you kneel a lot at work Seeing a healthcare provider soon after knee pain starts can keep it from becoming a bigger problem. Summary Many medical conditions and injuries can cause knee pain. Common causes include arthritis, ligament and meniscus tears, tendonitis, and patellofemoral pain syndrome. Dislocations, fractures, and bone tumors are less common. Knee pain is diagnosed based on a description of symptoms and triggers, physical exam, and possibly imaging studies. Treatment depends on the cause. It may include self-care, medications, physical therapy, surgery, and mind-body treatments. You can prevent knee pain by staying active, maintaining a healthy weight, and protecting your joints from overuse. A Word From Verywell Your knees are important for mobility. You may even depend on them to do your job or take part in activities you enjoy. Don't ignore knee pain when it starts. Getting a quick diagnosis and treatment can make a big difference in how long it takes to heal. Exercises to Keep Your Knees Healthy Frequently Asked Questions Why does my knee hurt when I straighten it? Pain when you straighten your knee can come from overuse, a meniscus tear, or arthritis. Your healthcare provider should check your range of motion and look at other symptoms to find the cause of the pain. Learn More: How to Treat a Locked Knee How can I relieve knee pain at night? Pain can keep you awake. To relieve nighttime pain and sleep better:Ice before going to sleep.Use a knee brace to keep pressure off the joint.Take over-the-counter anti-inflammatories to lower swelling and pain.Try supporting your knee with pillows. Learn More: Understanding Nighttime Knee Pain Do you need to have surgery to repair a meniscus tear? Not always. Some people are able to recover without it. Deciding factors for surgery include the size and location of the tear, your age, how active you are, your overall health, and the severity of your symptoms. Learn More: Physical Therapy for Meniscus Tear Injuries Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Dealing with joint pain can cause major disruptions to your day. Sign up and learn how to better take care of your body. Click below and just hit send! Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 19 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. 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