Intermittent knee pain can be caused by injury or a health-related condition. According to Mayoclinic.com, knee pain that comes and goes can be caused by rheumatoid arthritis. People who are prone to flare-ups related to knee bursitis or patellar tendinitis can also experience intermittent pain in the knee. If knee pain gets worse or begins to interfere with daily activities, contact a health care provider as soon as possible.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a condition that is caused by inflammation in the joints. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, rheumatoid arthritis occurs due to a faulty reaction in the body’s immune system. The body’s immune system mistakes its own tissue--typically joint tissue--as foreign and begins to attack it. This attack causes recurring bouts of pain in the joints that get progressively worse and more frequent. Joints in the hands, knees, shoulders and elbow can all become affected. Common symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include joint stiffness in the morning, swelling and fatigue. Other signs that accompany rheumatoid arthritis are joints that feel warm or tender to the touch. Instances of joint pain may come and go at the onset of the disease, but as it progresses it can eventually cause lasting joint damage and deformity. There is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis so treatment relies on controlling symptoms and preventing further joint damage. Medication, physical therapy and surgery are all options for managing rheumatoid arthritis.
Knee Bursitis
Knee bursitis is a condition in which the bursae near the knee joint become inflamed. A bursa is a fluid filled sac that acts as a cushion between the bones, muscles and tendons in the knee area. According to Mayoclinic.com, 11 bursa sacs are located near the knee joints, any one of which can become inflamed and cause knee bursitis. Knee bursitis is typically caused by repetitive motion or movement commonly required through participation in sports activities or certain occupations. Cycling, which involves repetitive pedaling and bending of the knee joints is one common activity that can cause knee bursitis. Symptoms include painful joints that are warm and tender. Intermittent knee pain associated with bursitis can be alleviated by simply cutting back on the activity that is causing the condition. Icing the affected area can reduce swelling and over-the-counter pain relievers can be taken to lessen discomfort.
Patellar Tendonitis
Patellar tendonitis is a condition, much like bursitis, that causes intermittent knee pain due to repetitive movement. Patellar tendonitis occurs when the patellar tendon located near the knee becomes overused and inflamed. According to Mayoclinic.com, when the patellar tendon in the knee is exposed to stress through intense repetitive movement--often by participation in sports activities--tiny tears can manifest. The body attempts to repair these tears, but sometimes cannot keep up with the high amount of damage being done. As a result, these tears buildup eventually causing pain. Depending on how severe the tears are, treatment can be a long process. For light to moderate cases, Mayoclinic.com recommends conservative treatment such as rest, muscle strengthening and corticosteroid injections. For more severe cases, surgery may be an option.
