Why do my knees hurt?
Arthritis, injuries, and more
Knee pain is quite common and can be debilitating.
The key to proper treatment is finding out what causes your knee pain.
Illustration by Alexandra Gordon, Verywell
Then your healthcare provider can form the right treatment plan for you.
Why Do My Knees Hurt?
Common Causes
Your knee is a complex structure.
It includes three bones:
Strongligamentsandtendonshold these bones together.Cartilageunder the kneecap cushions and stabilizes the bones.
Any damage or disease in these structures can lead to knee pain.
ACL injuries are the most common jot down of knee injury.
PCL injuries are fairly uncommon.
Torn Knee Cartilage (Meniscus)
Themenisciare tough, C shaped pieces of cartilage.
You have two menisci on each knee.
The lateral meniscus is on the outside and the medial meniscus is in the middle.
Knee pain froma torn meniscusis a common among athletes and older adults.
When a meniscus tears, you may hear a pop.
Thats followed by gradually developing symptoms such as:
When youre young, its most likely a sports injury.
When youre older, weakness from age makes menisci more prone to tears.
Patellar Tendonitis and Tear
Patellar tendonitisis inflammation of the patellar tendon.
That’s a large tendon connecting your kneecap to the top of your tibia.
In some cases, a weak patellar tendon can tear.
The knee may give out when you walk.
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
Patellofemoralpain syndrome is most common in adolescents and young adults.
So can softened cartilage thats wearing away.
This is a condition calledchondromalacia 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.
Your provider may use additional tests to confirm a diagnosis and determine the best treatments.
Medical History
Your healthcare provider will likely ask you a lot of questions about your pain.
Knee arthritis may cause a similar grinding sensation.
Imaging
Your healthcare provider may order imaging studies.
Those show whats happening inside the knee.
Healthcare providers usually start with aknee 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.
For example, if its referred pain, your knee wont hurt when its pressed on.
You also wont have swelling or impaired range of motion.
Treatments for Knee Pain
Treatment depends on whats causing your pain.
Pain can keep you awake.
Aphysical therapistwill do an evaluation and prescribeexercisesto:
Medications
Medications are often used to alleviate pain.
Sometimes, they can treat the underlying problem, too.
Complementary and Alternative Therapies
A number of mind-body therapies may be used to treat knee pain.
These include:
These treatments are especially common for knee osteoarthritis.
Some people are able to recover without it.
Ask your provider(s) what else it’s possible for you to do to protect your knee.
Summary
Many medical conditions and injuries can cause inside, outside, or middle of knee pain.
Common causes include arthritis, ligament and meniscus tears, tendonitis, and patellofemoral pain syndrome.
Dislocations, fractures, and bone tumors are less common.
Treatment depends on the cause.
It may include self-care, medications, physical therapy, surgery, and mind-body treatments.
Dont ignore knee pain when it starts.
Getting a quick diagnosis and treatment can make a big difference in how long it takes to heal.
Prevent knee pain by staying active, maintaining a healthy weight, and protecting your joints from overuse.
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