Knee Pain: Causes, Diagnosis & Treatment

Overview

The knee is a hinge joint that bears body weight and allows walking, running, squatting and climbing. Because it is used constantly and has relatively little natural protection, it is vulnerable to both wear-and-tear changes and sudden injury.

Knee pain can arise from the bone, cartilage, ligaments, tendons or the joint lining. Pain in the same joint can have very different causes in a 20-year-old footballer and a 60-year-old with arthritis, so an accurate diagnosis matters more than the symptom itself.

Most knee pain improves with the right combination of rest, physiotherapy, medication and, when needed, targeted injections or surgery. Ignoring long-standing knee pain can allow underlying arthritis or ligament instability to worsen.

Symptoms

Knee pain can present in several ways depending on the underlying cause:

• Dull ache after walking, standing or climbing stairs
• Sharp pain with a specific movement or twist
• Swelling, warmth or stiffness in the joint
• A clicking, catching or locking sensation
• A feeling that the knee is giving way or unstable
• Pain and stiffness that is worse in the morning or after rest

Causes

Knee pain has many possible causes, including:

• Osteoarthritis — gradual wear of the joint cartilage
• Meniscus tears from twisting injuries or degeneration
• Ligament injuries (ACL, PCL, MCL, LCL)
• Patellar (kneecap) tracking problems or tendinitis
• Bursitis or tendon inflammation from overuse
• Fractures around the knee following a fall or accident
• Referred pain from the hip or back in some patients

Risk Factors

• Age above 40–50 years
• Obesity and excess body weight
• Previous knee injury or surgery
• Sports involving running, jumping or pivoting
• Occupations requiring prolonged squatting or kneeling
• Muscle weakness around the knee and poor flexibility

When to See a Doctor

Consult an orthopaedic doctor if knee pain persists beyond a week of rest, limits your walking or daily activities, or keeps recurring with activity.

Seek prompt care for a knee that is markedly swollen, cannot bear weight, looks deformed, locks in one position, or follows a significant fall or sporting injury.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis begins with a detailed history of how and when the pain started, followed by a clinical examination of movement, stability, swelling and specific ligament tests.

• Physical examination with range-of-motion and stability tests
• X-ray to assess bone alignment and joint space (arthritis grading)
• MRI when ligament, meniscus or cartilage injury is suspected
• Blood tests if an inflammatory or infective cause is suspected

Treatment Options

Most knee pain is managed non-surgically first. Treatment is tailored to the underlying cause, severity and the patient's activity needs.

• Rest, activity modification and ice/heat in the acute phase
• Physiotherapy to strengthen supporting muscles and improve flexibility
• Oral medication or topical anti-inflammatory gels for pain relief
• Bracing or supports for instability
• Intra-articular injections for select patients
• Arthroscopy or joint replacement surgery when conservative treatment fails or damage is advanced

Expected Outcomes

Many causes of knee pain, such as tendinitis, bursitis and early arthritis, respond well to conservative treatment. Structural problems like significant ligament tears or advanced arthritis usually need a more definitive procedure for lasting relief. Your surgeon will discuss realistic outcomes based on your specific findings.

Why Choose Dr. Murkute's O2 Bone & Eye Care

• Evaluation by Dr. Vishal Murkute, MBBS, DNB Orthopaedics, Diploma in Orthopaedics, fellowship-trained in joint replacement and arthroscopy
• Clear explanation of the cause of your knee pain before deciding treatment
• Structured, stepwise treatment plan starting with the least invasive option
• Convenient Kharadi location for patients across East Pune