![\"X-ray](\"https:\/\/2025divi.cortho.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Knee-Anatomy.jpg\")
X-ray showing knee anatomy.<\/p><\/div>\n
Knee pain can cause many different sensations, depending on what\u2019s triggering the symptom.
Here are some of the common signs and symptoms of knee pain:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Constant ache<\/li>\n
- Sharp, shooting pain<\/li>\n
- Dull burning pain<\/li>\n
- Stiffness and swelling of the knee<\/li>\n
- Warm to the touch<\/li>\n
- Redness<\/li>\n
- Instability or weakness<\/li>\n
- Crunching or popping noises<\/li>\n
- Unable to straighten your knee<\/li>\n
- Unable to bend the knee<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
When to call Complete Orthopedics<\/h2>\n
Call your orthopedic knee doctor if you are experiencing:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Major pain after an injury<\/li>\n
- Severe pain in the knee<\/li>\n
- Marked knee swelling<\/li>\n
- Pain builds over hours and is associated with swelling, tenderness or redness<\/li>\n
- Inability to bear weight on your knee<\/li>\n
- Fever, along with redness, pain and swelling in the knee<\/li>\n
- Deformity in your knee or leg<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Causes of Knee Pain<\/h2>\n
There are many different causes for knee pain, ranging from sports injuries and arthritis to excess weight.<\/p>\n
Knee Pain Caused by Sports Injuries and Accidents<\/h3>\n
Accidents happen in sports and in everyday life. Here\u2019s a list of the most common knee injuries that can occur from sports injuries and other accidents.<\/p>\n
ACL Injury<\/strong>
ACL stands for the anterior cruciate ligament, one of four major ligaments in the knee joint. Located in the middle of the knee, the ACL is responsible for stabilizing the knee and preventing the sliding of the tibia under the femur.<\/p>\nAn ACL injury is one of the most common sports injuries in athletes who play sports that involve sudden changes in direction. Soccer players and basketball players often need knee surgery due to an ACL injury.<\/p>\n
Fracture<\/strong>
It\u2019s possible to break the bones of the knee (including the kneecap) in an injury, such as a car crash, a fall, or a sports injury. It\u2019s also possible to break knee bones as a result of osteoporosis.<\/p>\nKnee Bursitis<\/strong>
Sometimes knee pain is caused by inflammation in the bursae, fluid-like sacs in the knee that help the tendons and ligaments glide smoothly over the joint. A wide variety of injuries can cause this type of inflammation in the knee.<\/p>\nPatellar Tendinitis<\/strong>
Patellar tendinitis is irritation and inflammation in the patellar tendon that connects the shinbone to the quadriceps muscle on the front of the thigh. This type of knee injury is common in cyclists, runners, and skiers. We also see patellar tendinitis occur in athletes involved in jumping sports.<\/p>\nTorn Meniscus<\/strong>
It\u2019s possible to tear your meniscus if you suddenly twist your knee. The meniscus is a piece of cartilage that helps to absorb shock inside the joint.<\/p>\nKnee Pain from Mechanical Issues<\/h3>\n
Sometimes simply moving the wrong way can cause an injury to the knee. Here are some of the mechanical issues associated with knee pain:<\/p>\n
Dislocated Kneecap<\/strong>
It\u2019s very painful to dislocate a kneecap. This happens when the patella, a triangular bone that covers the front of your knee, comes out of place. Most often, the bone slides to the outside of your knee. It\u2019s common to see a dislocated kneecap.<\/p>\nFoot or Hip Pain<\/strong>
In some cases, you can experience knee pain due to foot or hip pain that makes you walk differently to avoid pain in those areas. Unfortunately, this change in the way you walk might add more stress to your knee and cause pain.<\/p>\nIliotibial Band Syndrome<\/strong>
Iliotibial band syndrome happens to distance runners and cyclists. It happens when the iliotibial band, the band of tissue from the outside of your knee to the outside of your hip, tightens and rubs against the outside of your femur.<\/p>\nLoose Body<\/strong>
In some cases, a piece of cartilage or bone can break off and float into the knee joint where it causes pain.<\/p>\nArthritis-related Knee Pain<\/h3>\n
A lot of time, knee pain is caused by arthritis. There are different types of arthritis that can cause knee pain. Here are the most common:<\/p>\n
Gout<\/strong>
Gout is a type of arthritis that can cause pain in the knees. It is the result of high levels of uric acid that forms sharp crystals. These crystals can cause pain along with swelling and tenderness.<\/p>\nOsteoarthritis<\/strong>
Another type of arthritis that affects the knee is osteoarthritis. While initial symptoms might be mild, eventually osteoarthritis can cause severe knee pain that requires knee surgery.<\/p>\nPseudogout<\/strong>
The joint that is most commonly affected by pseudogout is the knee. This type of arthritis causes sudden, painful swelling in the knee.<\/p>\nRheumatoid arthritis<\/strong>
Rheumatoid arthritis affects your joints, including the knee joint. It causes pain, stiffness, and swelling that can have a negative impact on your daily life. Knee surgery might be an option for people who want to reduce joint pain and improve their daily life.<\/p>\nSeptic arthritis<\/strong>
The knees are one of the most commonly affected joints in septic arthritis. This type of arthritis is an infection in the joint that causes a lot of pain. It has the ability to cause damage to the cartilage and bone inside of the joint, which makes prompt diagnoses and knee pain treatment very important.<\/p>\nAdditional Problems with Knee Pain<\/h3>\n
In addition to injuries, mechanical problems, and arthritis-related knee pain, there are other reasons you might be experiencing pain in your knees.
Factors such as excess weight, lack of muscle strength, and previous injuries can all increase your risk of having knee issues and pain.<\/p>\nDiagnosis<\/h2>\n
If you are experiencing knee pain, it\u2019s important to listen to your body and have a healthcare provider check your symptoms.
At Complete Orthropedics, our orthopedic knee doctors provide consultation and diagnoses of common issues that cause knee pain. In most cases, we\u2019re able to diagnose your case in the office during your first visit.<\/p>\nThe Process<\/strong>
We conduct a formal history and physical examination. During the exam, we have a thorough discussion with you about your knee pain, its duration, characteristics and exacerbating or alleviating factors. We also check your knee for visible symptoms, check how far you can move your leg, and push or pull on the joints to see the integrity of the knee.<\/p>\nNext, we conduct any related tests that apply to your situation, including x-rays. If we\u2019re still unable to diagnose your problem, we can then order additional tests such as a CT or MRI scans.<\/p>\n
Treatment and Surgery<\/h2>\n
Your knee pain treatment will depend on your diagnosis. There are many non-surgical treatments for knee pain, including physical therapy, injections, as well as home remedies and alternative medicine options.<\/p>\n