Knee Pain: Understanding the Most Common Causes
Learn about the most frequent causes of knee pain and how to identify what might be affecting your knees.
Getting to the Root of Your Knee Pain
Your knees carry you through thousands of steps each day, support you when you stand, and absorb impact every time you climb stairs or step off a curb. So when knee pain strikes, it can feel like your entire life grinds to a halt. Simple activities—walking the dog, playing with your kids, even getting up from a chair—suddenly become challenges.
Knee pain is one of the most common complaints we see at Health Craft Clinic, affecting everyone from weekend warriors to grandparents to young office workers. Understanding what might be causing your discomfort is the first step toward finding relief.
The Complexity Inside Your Knee
Your knee is far more than a simple hinge. It brings together three bones—the femur (thighbone), tibia (shinbone), and patella (kneecap)—along with four major ligaments that provide stability, two menisci that act as shock-absorbing cushions, multiple tendons connecting muscles to bones, and fluid-filled bursae that reduce friction. Pain can originate from any of these structures, and sometimes several contribute simultaneously.
What Might Be Causing Your Pain
Osteoarthritis is the most common cause of knee pain in adults over 50. It develops as the protective cartilage gradually wears down, causing bones to rub more closely together. You might notice morning stiffness that eases as you move, an ache that intensifies after prolonged activity, or a gradual decrease in how far you can bend or straighten your knee.
Patellofemoral pain syndrome, often called runner’s knee, causes discomfort around or behind the kneecap. Despite its name, it affects not just runners but anyone who sits for extended periods, climbs lots of stairs, or has muscle imbalances around the knee.
Meniscus tears can occur from sudden twisting movements—think pivoting during sports—or develop gradually through wear over time. Classic signs include a clicking or locking sensation, swelling, and pain when squatting or twisting.
Ligament injuries, particularly to the ACL or MCL, typically result from sports or accidents. They cause immediate instability, often described as the knee “giving way,” along with swelling and difficulty bearing weight.
Tendinitis, especially patellar tendinitis or “jumper’s knee,” develops from repetitive stress and causes pain with activities like jumping, climbing stairs, or squatting. The pain often localizes to a specific spot just below the kneecap.
Bursitis occurs when the fluid-filled sacs that cushion your knee become inflamed, typically from prolonged kneeling or direct impact. It causes localized swelling and tenderness.
When Your Knee Needs Professional Attention
Some symptoms warrant prompt evaluation:
- Severe pain or swelling
- Inability to bear weight
- Visible deformity or misalignment
- Locking or the knee giving way
- Pain that persists beyond a few days of rest
Finding Relief Through Physiotherapy
The good news is that most knee conditions respond well to conservative treatment. Manual therapy and soft tissue work address immediate discomfort. Targeted strengthening exercises build support around the joint. Movement pattern correction addresses underlying causes that perpetuate pain. Guidance on activity modification helps you stay active while healing.
Is knee pain limiting your activities? Book an assessment to identify the cause and start your personalized treatment plan.