Overview
Knee pain can have multiple causes. The pain can be due to soft tissue damage such as muscle strain, ligament strain, or meniscal injury. The pain can also be due to bone or joint degeneration leading to arthritic pain. Imaging with X-ray or MRI may be ordered to help further clarify the cause of the pain. Once the cause is known, your physician can help guide your treatment process, which may include medications, physical therapy, or surgical consultation. For arthritic bone pain, the therapy regimen may include medications, steroid injections, hyaluronic acid injections, PRP and stem cell injections. Each treatment option has positives and negatives and so it is important to clearly understand all your treatment options.
Common Causes of Knee Pain
- Arthritis: Arthritis is one of the most common causes of chronic knee pain, especially as we age. It occurs when the protective cartilage that cushions the joint wears down or becomes inflamed. Arthritis often develops slowly and progressively, but early diagnosis and management can significantly reduce pain and slow joint damage.
- Injuries: Acute injuries are another major cause of knee pain, often resulting from sports, accidents, or sudden movements. These injuries can damage bones, ligaments, cartilage, or tendons within the knee. Prompt treatment for knee injuries is essential to prevent long-term instability, arthritis, or chronic pain.
- Overuse: Overuse injuries occur gradually when repetitive motions or excessive strain irritate the structures around the knee. They’re common in athletes, active individuals, and those with physically demanding jobs. Addressing overuse injuries early with rest, proper technique, and strengthening exercises can prevent them from becoming chronic.
- Other Medical Conditions: Sometimes, knee pain isn’t caused by issues within the knee joint itself but by other underlying medical conditions. A thorough medical evaluation is key to identifying these less obvious causes and guiding the right treatment plan.
When to see a doctor
While mild knee discomfort can sometimes improve with rest, ice, and over-the-counter remedies, certain symptoms should never be ignored. Prompt medical evaluation can prevent further damage, speed up recovery, and help you avoid long-term complications.
Call your doctor if you:
- Experience severe pain or sudden swelling that comes on quickly or worsens over time.
- Cannot put weight on your knee or feel it “give out” when you try to walk.
- Notice a visible deformity in the knee joint or leg alignment.
- Hear a pop at the time of injury, followed by pain, swelling, or instability.
- Have locking, catching, or inability to fully bend or straighten your knee.
- See redness, warmth, or swelling that may indicate infection or inflammation.
- Develop fever, chills, or other systemic symptoms along with knee pain.
- Have pain that persists for more than a few weeks, even with rest and self-care.
If you experience any of the above, it’s important to seek medical attention promptly. Early diagnosis and treatment can make a significant difference in your outcome helping you return to normal activity faster and avoid permanent joint damage.
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