Pain in the knee joint | Knee Joint

Pain in the knee joint

Pain in the knee joint can have various causes. Depending on the localization of the pain, it can indicate different diseases or injuries. The time at which the pain is most likely to occur (at rest, at night, as a starting pain, under stress) can also provide further indications of the underlying cause.

Inside knee pain: Knee pain that occurs mainly on the inside of the knee often indicates meniscus damage. The inner meniscus in particular is often also injured in many sports injuries. This can become noticeable through pain on the inside of the knee.

A leg malposition (bow legs) can also lead to damage to the inner meniscus in the long term, as the pressure on it is increased by the uneven load. Finally, this can lead to the development of osteoarthritis in the knee joint, which can manifest itself as inner knee pain. Finally, bursitis or muscular damage can also cause the complaints.

Pain on the outside of the knee: Pain on the outside of the knee can also be caused by a malposition of the leg (knock-knee). In this case, the outer meniscus is subjected to greater stress than normal. This can damage the meniscus in the long run and lead to the development of arthrosis.

This can be responsible for the pain. Another cause of external knee pain is damage to the tendon of the femoral flexor (Biceps femoris). Knee pain on the outside of the knee in runners may also be indicative of the so-called runner’s knee, a pain syndrome caused by overstraining the tractus iliotibialis, a fascial ligament on the outside of the thigh.

The pain typically occurs at first only when running, but later also when walking. Anterior knee pain: Pain that is predominantly felt in the anterior area of the knee may indicate damage to the patellar tendon. A malformation of the kneecap (patellar dysplasia) can also cause these complaints, since in this case the kneecap does not fit optimally into its abutment and can cause pain due to friction and incorrect loading.

An inflammation of the bursa of the knee can also cause pain in the front part of the knee. Posterior knee pain: Pain in the area of the hollow of the knee can have multiple causes. These include vascular, bone and nerve damage, ligament or meniscus injuries, and a Baker cyst.

This is a protrusion of the joint capsule of the knee joint, which is caused by increased synovial fluid.The production of the synovial fluid is often significantly increased by chronic inflammatory processes, for example in the context of a rheumatic disease. If a Baker cyst ruptures, a dangerous compartment syndrome can result. Generalized knee pain: If the pain occurs diffusely everywhere in the knee joint, it can be an inflammation, rheumatic or degenerative disease (arthrosis).

Parallel to an inflammatory process, the knee joint is often swollen, overheated and possibly reddened. Particularly start-up pain and stiffness after a longer period of rest can be a sign of knee joint arthrosis. Systemic signs of inflammation, such as fever or poor general condition, are more likely to be acute inflammatory processes. In any case, a visit to a physician is recommended if the symptoms persist for a longer period of time.