Painlink

Joint · Leg · Knee joint

Knee pain

Common at this spot

Ordered by how common, not by search volume.

  1. Patellofemoral pain syndrome

    The front of the knee feels raw going downstairs and standing up after sitting

    Why it happens

    Pain at the front and centre of the knee. It comes from damaged or softened cartilage under the kneecap, a kneecap that sits out of line, tight or weak thigh muscles, overuse from running or jumping or skiing, weak core muscles, or flat feet and uneven leg alignment.

    How it feels

    • A dull, aching pain behind, below, or beside the kneecap
    • Worse going down stairs
    • Worse when bending the knee deeply
    • Worse when getting up from a squat

    When to see a doctor

    See a doctor if you have these symptoms — including if the knee feels unstable or swells.

    Source: MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine)

  2. Meniscus tear

    The knee catches and pops when rising from a squat, then swells

  3. Knee osteoarthritis

    Stiff in the morning, raw after a long walk, with a grinding sound

    Why it happens

    The cartilage that protects the ends of the bones wears down, and the joint becomes painful and stiff — here, the knee. It is more common after a joint injury or heavy use, if you are overweight, with age, and if it runs in the family.

    How it feels

    • A painful, stiff joint
    • Trouble moving it
    • Swelling and tenderness
    • A grating or crackling sound when you move

    When to see a doctor

    See a doctor if the symptoms persist.

    How bad it gets varies a lot from person to person — from mild to making everyday life hard.

    Source: NHS (UK)

  4. Patellar tendinopathy (jumper's knee)

    A pinpoint pain just below the kneecap when jumping or landing

  5. ACL tear

    A pop while changing direction, a feeling the knee gave way, then heavy swelling

    Get help right away if

    If the foot becomes cold and blue after the injury, that is a medical emergency.

    Why it happens

    The anterior cruciate ligament in the middle of the knee is overstretched or torn. It happens with a hard blow to the side of the knee, over-straightening, changing direction quickly while running, landing from a jump, or twisting. It is common in basketball, football, soccer, and skiing.

    How it feels

    • A popping sound at the moment of injury
    • The knee swells within 6 hours
    • Pain when putting weight on it
    • Trouble carrying on with the activity
    • The knee feels unstable or gives way

    When to see a doctor

    Contact a doctor right away if you think you have a serious knee injury.

    Source: MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine)

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