Most Common Causes of Knee Pain

Knee pain is a common complaint that affects people of all ages and lifestyles. It can interfere with your daily activities, such as walking, running, climbing stairs, or playing sports. But what causes knee pain and how can you prevent or treat it?

In this blog post, we will explore some of the most common causes of knee pain and offer some tips on how to cope with them.

 

Causes of knee pain

 

Knee pain can be caused by various factors, such as injuries, overuse, arthritis, or other medical conditions. Some of the most common causes of knee pain are:

 

 

Injuries

 

The knee joint is composed of bones, cartilage, ligaments, tendons, and bursae (fluid-filled sacs that cushion the joint). Any of these structures can be injured by trauma, such as a fall, a collision, or a twist. Some of the most common knee injuries include:

 

 

ACL injury

 

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the four ligaments that connect the shinbone to the thighbone. It helps stabilize the knee and prevent it from rotating too much. An ACL injury is a tear or rupture of the ligament, usually caused by a sudden change in direction or landing awkwardly from a jump. It is more common in people who play sports that involve pivoting, such as basketball, soccer, or skiing.

 

 

Fractures

 

The bones of the knee, including the kneecap (patella), can be broken by a direct impact or a severe twist. Fractures are more likely to occur in people who have osteoporosis (a condition that weakens the bones) or in older adults who fall.

 

 

Torn meniscus

 

The meniscus is a tough, rubbery cartilage that acts as a shock absorber between the shinbone and the thighbone. It can be torn if you suddenly twist your knee while bearing weight on it. This can happen during sports or during everyday activities, such as squatting or getting out of a car.

 

 

Knee bursitis

 

The bursae are small sacs of fluid that reduce friction and cushion the outside of your knee joint. They can become inflamed by overuse, infection, or injury. This can cause swelling, warmth, and pain around your knee.

 

 

Patellar tendinitis

 

The tendons are thick, fibrous tissues that attach muscles to bones. The patellar tendon connects the kneecap to the shinbone and helps you extend your leg. Patellar tendinitis is inflammation of the tendon, usually caused by overuse or repetitive stress. It is more common in people who do activities that involve a lot of jumping or running, such as volleyball, basketball, or running.

 

 

Overuse

 

Physical activities, exercise, work, or hobbies can all put stress on your knee joint. Doing the same repetitive motion (such as jumping, kneeling, or cycling) can cause wear and tear on your knee structures over time. This can lead to pain, stiffness, and inflammation. Overuse can also aggravate existing knee problems or increase your risk of injury.

 

 

Arthritis

 

Arthritis is a group of diseases that cause inflammation and damage to your joints. There are many types of arthritis that can affect your knees, such as:

 

 

Osteoarthritis

 

This is the most common type of arthritis that affects the knees. It occurs when the cartilage that covers the ends of your bones wears away over time. This causes bone-on-bone friction and inflammation in your joint. Osteoarthritis can cause pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced range of motion in your knee. It usually develops gradually and worsens with age.

 

 

Rheumatoid arthritis

 

This is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation in your joints. It occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks your own tissues. Rheumatoid arthritis can affect any joint in your body, but often affects the knees. It can cause pain, swelling, warmth, redness.