Common Causes and Symptoms of Knee Discomfort

Knee pain affects many individuals at some stage in life. Its origins are diverse, making diagnosis a challenge. Activities like sports, workouts, or daily movements can lead to muscle strain, tendinitis, or serious injuries affecting the knee joint.

Several factors contribute to knee discomfort. Read on to explore the prevalent causes of knee pain.

Meniscus Tear
This injury involves the cartilage behind the kneecap, known as the meniscus. Tears here can cause significant pain and often require surgical intervention.

Osteoarthritis
The primary reason for persistent knee pain in older adults, osteoarthritis results from cartilage degeneration between bones, leading to bone-on-bone contact. Symptoms include pain, swelling, stiffness, and limited movement, and it may affect younger individuals due to genetics, injury, or weight issues. Rheumatoid arthritis, which causes inflammation and tissue thickening, and post-traumatic arthritis following injuries, are also common joint conditions causing pain.

Knee ligament injuries, involving sprains or tears from sports or accidents, are frequent causes of pain and may necessitate surgical repair.

Bursitis involves inflammation of fluid-filled sacs cushioning the joint, often caused by overuse or trauma, resulting in swelling and pain.

Dislocated kneecaps arise from sudden impacts, leading to misalignment, pain, and swelling.

Iliotibial (IT) band syndrome involves inflammation of the tissue running from the hip to the knee, often seen in runners, causing outer knee pain.

Loose cartilage pieces can fragment due to injury, causing catching sensations, pain, and swelling.

Osgood-Schlatter disease affects growing children, producing a tender bump below the kneecap that worsens with activity.

Patellar tendinitis, common in athletes, refers to inflammation of the tendon connecting the kneecap to the shin, often caused by repetitive jumping or overuse, dubbed 'jumper's knee.'

Patellofemoral pain syndrome results from muscle imbalance or tightness, leading to joint misalignment, buckling, and discomfort, especially in males.

If you experience persistent or severe knee pain, timely consultation with a healthcare professional is crucial for effective treatment and recovery.