Introduction to the Knee Joint Pain and Possible Causes
Knee pain affects nearly 35% of adults that has resulted in poor functionality of the knee joint. The prevalence of knee pain has increased over the past 20 years, with osteoarthritis being the most common cause in individuals over the age of 50. Women are more likely than men to suffer from osteoarthritis. Genetics, anatomy, and prior knee injury are risk factors for developing osteoarthritis. Knee pain that is caused by injury is most often associated with knee cartilage tears. Knee injuries can occur as the result of a direct blow or sudden movement that strains the knee joint beyond its normal range. Knee pain can cause difficulty performing activities such as walking, rising from a chair, climbing stairs, or playing sports.
Structures of the Knee
The knee is a hinge joint that includes the tibia and the femur and the patella (knee cap). There are 12 muscles and 4 ligaments that provide support to the knee. The muscles include the Sartorius, Rectus Femoris, Biceps Femoris, Semitendinosus, Semimembranosus, Gracilis, Vastus Medialis, Vastus Lateralis, Vastus Intermedius, Gastrocnemius, Popliteus, Plantaris. The ligaments include the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL); posterior cruciate ligament (PCL); medial collateral ligament (MCL); and lateral collateral ligament (LCL). There are also 2 rings of cartilage that act as shock absorbers in the knee, called the medial and lateral meniscus.
The most common cause of knee pain is osteoarthritis, a condition that occurs when the cartilage that protects the inside surfaces of the tibia and femur bones, called articular cartilage, gradually wears away, resulting in pain and swelling in the knee.
Pain Areas Defined
Knee pain occurs in different parts of the knee. Depending on the location of the pain and mechanism of the pain, many structures of the knee could be involved. Below is a general breakdown of the areas in which knee pain may occur and the structures of the knee that may be involved:
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- Anterior knee pain: Often referred to as patellofemoral pain, is pain around the kneecap (patella) in front of the knee, caused when the kneecap shifts out of position or has increased contact with the femur with movement. This condition commonly affects younger females, and may be due to overuse injury. Pain often occurs when performing activities like squats or stair-climbing.
- Lateral knee pain: Pain that occurs on the outside of the knee. It is a type of overuse injury that commonly occurs in runners when the tendon called the iliotibial band (ITB) becomes irritated. Pain is often felt when performing activities such as climbing stairs, or when walking or running.
- Medial knee pain: Pain that occurs along the inside of the knee when the MCL or the medial meniscus become irritated due to direct injury or overuse. Pain is felt when squatting, walking up or down an incline, or going down stairs.
- Pain caused by a ligament tear may result from a direct blow to the knee, or when twisting or pivoting the knee while the foot is planted on the ground. Immediate pain and swelling usually occur, and the knee may feel unstable—like it will “give out”—when some individual attempts to put weight on the involved leg.
Pain caused by osteoarthritis may occur anywhere in the knee where cartilage has broken down. This type of knee pain may begin as mild and progressively worsen. It can become increasingly difficult to walk long distances, fully bend and straighten the knee, climb stairs, or squat to sit in a chair. The knee also may swell intermittently with increased activity.
Meet Your Physical Therapist
We will make a diagnosis based on your symptoms, medical history, and a thorough examination. Your physician may order an X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to complete the diagnosis.
We will perform an evaluation that will start with discussing your medical history and your symptoms. Your therapist will ask questions to determine where your pain is located, if you sustained any trauma or injury to the knee, and what functional daily activities are painful or difficult for you to perform. We will perform tests to find out if you have:
- Limited range of motion in the knee.
- Pain in the knee with certain movements.
- Weakness in the muscles around your hip, knee, or ankle.
- Limited flexibility in your hip, knee, or ankle.
- Difficulty walking.
- Difficulty performing activities, such as rising from a chair or climbing stairs.
- Problems with your balance or coordination.
- Difficulty controlling the knee during certain activities.
- Difficulty performing specific sports activities (for athletes).
How Can I Help You?
Based on the findings of your evaluation, I will develop a customized rehabilitation program to ensure a safe return to your desired activities. Some general treatment techniques may include:
- Pain management. I will provide treatments using different “modalities” such as ice, heat, or electrical stimulation to help decrease pain and swelling.
- Manual therapy. I will apply manual therapy (hands-on) to gently guide movement of the knee area to restore joint and tissue mobility, while enhancing the healing qualities of the damaged tissues.
- Therapeutic exercises. I will prescribe specific strengthening, flexibility, and endurance exercises to address your specific needs and goals.
- Functional exercises. You will learn individualized exercises designed to help you return to your home, work, and sport activities. These also may include balance and coordination exercises.
- Self-care instruction. I will teach you ways to manage your pain at home, and design a safe and effective home-exercise program based on your specific condition, which you can continue long after your formal physical therapy sessions have ended. You will also learn how to avoid placing unnecessary forces on the knee during your daily activities for years to come.
