There are several common knee pain problems. Knee problems can involve the bone, joint, tendons, ligaments and cartilage. All these elements work in synergy. Often, when one component of the knee becomes injured, the other parts may start to have problems as well. Knee problems may then even lead to foot, hip and back issues as the body tries to overcompensate. Persistent and intense knee pain may require medical attention.
ACL Injury
A common cause of knee pain is an anterior cruciate ligament injury. The ACL connects the long leg bones: the tibia and the femur. Participation in sports, exercise or recreation activities is a major cause of ACL injury, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Injury Center. Such an injury could also result from a slip and fall, a funny twist of the knee or an overextension of the knee joint. Immediate pain--or at least discomfort--follows the injury, and most likely it will worsen over time without treatment. Depending on the severity of the injury, different types of medical intervention may be needed, such as medication, rehabilitation and even surgery.
Iliotibial Band Syndrome
Iliotibial band syndrome is often caused by regular running. The overuse or "overtraining" of the knee begins to break down the IT band, leading to knee pain and loss of function, according to the National Institutes of Health. Specifically, the IT band begins to wear away cartilage on the knee, which causes sharp, needlelike pain on the outside of the knee. IT band syndrome is treated by rest, reduction of running, anti-inflammatory drugs, and cortisone injections. In extreme cases, surgery may be the only option, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Osteoarthritis
The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases notes that there are more than 100 kinds of arthritis, with the most common being osteoarthritis. Most knee problems and pain are caused by osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is a condition in which the cartilage wears away over time, leading to pain, stiff joints and loss of function. The knee joint is used every time a person stands, walks or runs, and thus is often the site of osteoarthritis. This type of arthritis usually occurs during middle age or later but can have an earlier onset if the bone had an injury in the past.
