While the location and severity of the issues may vary, knee pain is something that affects people of all ages. Pain can be a result of a variety of conditions ranging from overuse to an acute injury to a more chronic condition such as arthritis [1,2]. Understanding some of the common causes of knee pain may help with managing symptoms.
Please note, this post is intended to be informative and is not intended to diagnose your pain. Please talk to a healthcare provider about your pain and for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
Some common knee injuries are [1-3]:
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Ligament tears – tears in any of the four ligaments that connect the shinbone (tibia) to the thighbone (femur). These ligaments are the ACL (anterior cruciate ligament), PCL (posterior cruciate ligament), the MCL (medial collateral ligament), and LCL (lateral collateral ligament). These can also be torn/injured during sports that require sudden changes in direction.
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Meniscus tears – tear of the meniscus, which is a tough piece of cartilage that acts as a cushion between the tibia and femur.
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Fractures – a break in one of the bones of the knee, including the kneecap (patella).
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Knee sprains – refers to torn or overstretched ligaments, the tissues that hold bones together. If you have a sprained knee, the structures within the knee joint that connect the thigh bone to the shin bone have been injured.
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Knee dislocations – a dislocated knee is when the three bones of your knee are out of place and aren’t aligned the way they should be.
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Knee hyperextension – occurs when the knee joint bends backward beyond its normal range of motion. Depending on the severity, this injury can cause damage to the ligaments or tendons that support this area of your leg. It can also lead to pain and several other symptoms.
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Overuse can also lead to knee pains, and some of these issues are [1,2]:
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- Knee bursitis – inflammation in the bursae, small sacs of fluid on the outside of the knee joint which help cushion the joint. Overuse can cause the bursae to become inflamed.
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- Tendinitis – inflammation and irritation in one or more tendons, which are thick bands of tissue connecting muscles to bones. In the knee, the patellar tendon, which attaches the kneecap to the shinbone, is a common area of tendinitis. Those involved in jumping sports, skiers, cyclists, and runners may develop tendinitis in the patellar tendon, also called patella tendinitis or “jumper’s knee”.
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- Patellofemoral pain – also known as “runner’s knee” is pain under or around the patella caused by overuse, muscular imbalances, or improper alignment of the knee cap.
Arthritis, which causes pain and inflammation in the joints can lead to pain, swelling, and stiffness in the knee.
Some types of arthritis that can cause knee pain are [1-4]:
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- Osteoarthritis – a degenerative joint disease where the cartilage in the knee wears down over time causing pain, swelling, and decreased mobility.
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- Rheumatoid arthritis – an autoimmune condition where the body’s immune system attacks the joints, causing severe pain, swelling, and stiffness.
Knee Pain Location
Infections in the bones around the knee or in the knee joint itself can cause pain, swelling, and redness. While it is difficult to entirely prevent knee pain, some tips to keep your knees healthy are maintain a healthy weight, exercise regularly to strengthen the muscles around the knee, user proper technique when lifting and/or running, wear appropriate footwear with good support, and take time to rest and recover [1,4].
Summing up, there are multiple different conditions that can lead to knee pain, and this list is not inclusion of every condition. Early intervention can prevent further damage and help improve quality of life. Consequently, it is important when experiencing knee pain to consult with a medical professional for an accurate diagnosis, especially if the pain gets worse.
Be Smart. Take care of yourself. And check on your teammates.
Sources:
[1] Knee pain – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic. (2023, January 25). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/knee-pain/symptoms-causes/syc-20350849
[2] Professional, C. C. M. (2024, May 1). Knee pain. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/21207-knee-pain
[3] Benjamin, C. (2022, December 12). Knee Pain (D. Dugdale & B. Conaway, Eds.). Penn Medicine. Retrieved September 3, 2024, from https://www.pennmedicine.org/for-patients-and-visitors/patient-information/conditions-treated-a-to-z/knee-pain
[4] Knee pain and problems. (2024). Johns Hopkins Medicine. Retrieved September 3, 2024, from https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/knee-pain-and-problems