Knee pain can be caused by a variety of factors, ranging from injuries and overuse to medical conditions and arthritis. Some of the main causes are:
- Arthritis: This includes osteoarthritis (wear and tear of cartilage), rheumatoid arthritis (autoimmune joint inflammation), gout (uric acid crystal buildup), pseudogout (calcium crystal deposits), and other inflammatory conditions. Arthritis leads to joint pain, swelling, stiffness, and reduced mobility.
- Injuries: Common injuries include ligament tears (such as ACL or MCL injuries), meniscus tears (cartilage damage), fractures, strains, sprains, and dislocations. Injuries often cause swelling, instability, and sharp pain.
- Tendinitis: Inflammation of tendons around the knee due to repetitive motions or overuse, common in athletes and those with repetitive tasks.
- Bursitis: Inflammation of fluid-filled sacs (bursae) that cushion the knee joint, caused by repetitive pressure, injury, or arthritis.
- Overuse and strain: Repetitive activities like running or jumping can lead to conditions like runner’s knee or patellar tendinitis, causing gradual knee pain.
- Mechanical problems: Issues like loose bodies (pieces of cartilage or bone floating in the joint), iliotibial band syndrome (tight tissue rubbing the thigh bone), or dislocated kneecap can cause knee pain.
- Obesity: Excess body weight puts extra stress on the knees, increasing the risk of pain and osteoarthritis.
- Other causes: Infections in the knee joint or bones, Baker’s cyst (fluid-filled swelling behind the knee), and conditions like Osgood-Schlatter disease, especially in young people.
Knee pain can appear suddenly after an injury or develop gradually due to ongoing stress or medical conditions. Proper diagnosis is important to determine the exact cause and appropriate treatment. This summary encompasses the most common causes of knee pain including arthritis types, injuries, overuse conditions, mechanical issues, and risk factors like obesity.
