Knee Pain
Understanding and managing chronic knee problems
Common Causes of Chronic Knee Pain
The knee is a complex joint that bears significant weight and stress. Chronic knee pain can result from various conditions, injuries, or degenerative changes. Understanding the cause helps guide treatment.1
Conditions Causing Knee Pain2
Degenerative
- Osteoarthritis (most common)
- Meniscus degeneration
- Chondromalacia patella
Inflammatory
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Gout
- Pseudogout
Overuse/Mechanical
- Patellofemoral pain syndrome
- IT band syndrome
- Patellar tendinopathy
- Bursitis
Post-Injury
- Meniscus tears
- ACL/PCL injuries
- Post-traumatic arthritis
Symptoms to Note
- Location of pain
- What makes it better/worse
- Swelling
- Locking or giving way
- Stiffness pattern
- Clicking or grinding
Treatment Approaches3
Conservative
- Weight management (reduces load)
- Exercise (quad strengthening essential)
- Physical therapy
- NSAIDs, topical treatments
- Bracing
- Activity modification
Interventional
- Corticosteroid injections
- Hyaluronic acid injections
- PRP
- Genicular nerve block/RFA
Surgical
- Arthroscopy (limited indications)
- Partial knee replacement
- Total knee replacement
References
- Bunt CW, Jonas CE, Chang JG. Knee pain in adults and adolescents: the initial evaluation. Am Fam Physician. 2018;98(9):576-585.
- Deveza LA, Melo L, Yamato TP, et al. Knee osteoarthritis phenotypes and their relevance for outcomes. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2017;25(12):1926-1934.
- Skou ST, Roos EM. Good Life with osteoarthritis in Denmark (GLA:D). BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2017;18(1):72.