Knee pain on the inside
Depending on the underlying disease, the knee pain felt by the patient is either on the outside or the inside of the knee. In addition, knee pain can also occur in the area of the kneecap or in the hollow of the knee. Knee pain, which is mainly localized on the inside, may indicate damage to the inner meniscus.
The term meniscus refers to a cartilaginous structure that serves to stabilize and relieve pressure within the knee joint. In the knee joint, a distinction is made between an inner and an outer meniscus. In the comparison between the two menisci of the knee joint, damage occurs preferably in the area of the inner meniscus.
An impairment of the medial meniscus is mainly manifested by the sudden onset of pain on the inside of the knee. In addition, the affected knee has limited movement. Among the most common diseases that lead to pain on the inside of the knee are traumatic changes of the meniscus (for example, torn meniscus) and degenerative diseases.
The traumatic impairment of the knee joint is typically caused by a twisting of the knee in combination with a pressure load on the joint center and rotational forces.A traumatic alteration of the knee joint, which leads to pain on the inside of the knee, often occurs in conjunction with a tear in the anterior cruciate ligament. In contrast to the traumatic changes in the meniscus, the pain on the inside of the knee tends to be gradual in the presence of a degenerative disease. The pain felt by the affected patient on the inside of the knee is mainly due to the fact that the broken meniscus causes continuous friction between the joint structures.
In most cases, this friction leads very quickly to complex cartilage damage. In addition to the pain on the inside of the knee, affected patients usually notice significant swelling and pinching of the cartilage surfaces. The pain typical of damage to the inner meniscus is usually most evident in situations of stress (stress pain).
As the underlying disease progresses, however, significant pain can also occur. Over the course of time, the damage to the inner meniscus can even promote the formation of arthrosis. In addition, the pathological changes in the distribution of pressure within the knee can provoke the formation of a cyst at the base of the meniscus.
The diagnosis of pain on the inside of the knee comprises several steps. In addition to conducting an extensive doctor-patient consultation, in which the existing complaints should be described as precisely as possible, the examination of the knee joint in side comparison plays a decisive role. If a torn meniscus is present, various tests can help to confirm the suspected diagnosis.
In addition, imaging procedures (especially X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging) are often ordered. Depending on the underlying disease, appropriate treatment should be initiated immediately after the diagnosis is complete. The main goals of this treatment include both the relief of pain on the inside of the knee and the correction of the impaired meniscus.
