Knee Pain

Knee pain is discomfort you feel in or around your knee joint.

Joints are places in your body where two bones meet. Your knee joint connects your thigh to your lower leg. It’s where your thigh bone meets your shin bone.

The knee is the biggest joint in your body, and it absorbs and supports a lot of your weight as you move. That’s why it’s one of the most commonly injured joints. Knee joint pain can be a temporary, short-term problem, but it can also be a chronic (long-term) issue.

Knee pain can come and go. For example, you might feel pain when you’re moving or bending your knee. But it might get better when you rest. Some people also feel pain at different times of the day. You could feel more pain first thing in the morning when you wake up. It’s also common to feel pain in your knee at night, especially if you were physically active earlier that day.

You can usually treat knee pain at home with over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers and by taking a break from physical activities.

What causes knee pain?

The most common causes of knee pain include:

• Arthritis: Knee arthritis is very common. Several types can cause knee pain. Osteoarthritis is the most common.
• Injuries: Any injury that damages your knee joint can cause pain. Sprains, hyperextensions and meniscus tears can all cause it.
• Overuse: Your knees might hurt if you work on your hands and knees or run and jump a lot. Doing the same motion too often can lead to repetitive strain injuries and knee joint pain.

Lots of issues can cause knee pain. It can be hard to narrow down a cause on your own. Where your knee hurts can be a good sign of what’s causing it.

Knee pain location chart

Take a look at the chart. It shows some examples of conditions and injuries that cause knee pain and where you’re more likely to feel it. You might feel pain:

• In the front of your knee: Common causes of pain here include arthritis, bursitis or patellofemoral pain syndrome.
• Behind your knee: Tendon and ligament injuries, arthritis, Baker’s cysts or overly tight leg muscles can all cause pain here.
• On the inside edge of your knee: MCL tears can cause pain on the inside edge. It may also be a more common issue, like arthritis.
• On the outside edge of your knee: LCL tears, arthritis and meniscus injuries may all cause this kind of pain. Iliotibial band syndrome can also cause sharp pain on the outside of your knees.

Your knees are a complex joint. And everyone’s body is different. You might have a different injury or condition from the examples here. Seeing a healthcare provider is the only way to know for sure. Use this chart as a guide when you visit a provider. The more specific you can be, the better. Tell your provider:

• Where your knee hurts
• When you started feeling pain
• What the pain feels like (sharp, stabbing, aching, dull, etc.)
• If any movements or activities make the pain better or worse
• If you have any other symptoms like swelling, bruising or trouble moving
• If you hear or feel a click or pop

Knee pain treatments

A healthcare provider will suggest treatments to treat knee pain based on its cause and how much it hurts. Some treatments include:

• The RICE or MEAT methods: These are simple, at-home ways to manage pain. Your provider will suggest the one that’s best for you. You might need to take a break from certain physical activities to help your knee heal.
• Medications: Your provider might suggest medications to relieve the knee joint pain and other symptoms. Most people can take NSAIDs or acetaminophen.
• Physical therapy (PT): PT can help you strengthen the muscles around your knee to support it better. Increasing your strength and flexibility will reduce pressure on your joint and can reduce pain.
• Wearing a knee brace: A knee brace will support your knee and keep it in the right alignment.
• Knee surgery: You probably won’t need surgery. But you might if you have a ligament tear or broken bone. Your provider might suggest a knee replacement if you have arthritis that causes severe pain that doesn’t get better after trying other treatments.

How can I prevent knee joint pain?

The best way to prevent pain is to stay safe when you’re physically active. During sports or other physical activities:

• Always wear the right protective equipment.
• Don’t “play through the pain” if your knee hurts during or after physical activity.
• Give your body time to rest and recover after intense activity.
• Stretch and warm up before playing sports or working out.
• Stretch and cool down when you finish a physical activity.

Follow these general safety tips to reduce your risk of injury:

• Always use the proper tools or equipment at home to reach things. Never stand on chairs, tables or countertops.
• Try to keep your home and workspace free of clutter that might trip people.
• Use a walker or cane if you have an increased fall risk.

When should I see a healthcare provider for pain in my knee?

Visit a healthcare provider if you have:

• Pain that lasts more than a few days
• Pain is bad enough to affect your daily routine
• Pain makes it hard to move

Go to the emergency room or call 911 (or your local emergency services number) if you’ve experienced a trauma like a car accident or severe fall. Go to the ER if you can’t move your knee or leg, or if you think you have a broken bone.