Numerous conditions can cause knee problems and lower leg pain. According to the MedlinePlus website, repetitive use injuries, poor technique or form during exercise and sports, an insufficient warm-up or cool down and inadequate stretching can cause knee problems and lower leg pain. Knee problems and lower leg pain can also be caused by certain medical conditions and traumatic injuries. The MedlinePlus website states that a person who is overweight is especially vulnerable to knee problems.
Patellar Tendinitis
Patellar tendinitis is an injury involving the tendon that links the patella or kneecap with the shinbone. The patellar tendon, in conjunction with the quadriceps muscles, helps extend or straighten the knee and lower leg, allowing a person to kick a soccer ball, push bicycle pedals and jump. Patellar tendinitis is common among athletes who participate in jumping and kicking sports, especially basketball, soccer and volleyball, although anybody can develop patellar tendinitis. Common signs and symptoms associated with patellar tendinitis include pain in the patellar tendon that feels sharp when running or jumping, knee and lower leg pain when climbing or descending stairs and aching knee pain that disrupts sleep at night. MayoClinic.com states that ignoring the signs and symptoms of patellar tendinitis could lead to tears or ruptures of the patellar tendon.
ACL Tears
A tear of the anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, can cause knee problems and lower leg pain. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons or AAOS states that about 200,000 Americans suffer ACL tears each year. People who engage in basketball, football, skiing and soccer are particularly vulnerable to ACL tears. According to the AAOS, ACL tears often occur in conjunction with other knee injuries, such as meniscus tears, joint cartilage damage and other ligament injuries. Common signs and symptoms associated with ACL tears include an audible pop in the affected area at the time of injury, the sensation of knee instability, extreme pain in the knee and lower leg, reduced knee joint active range of motion and widespread tenderness in the affected-side lower extremity.
Patella Fracture
According to the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, or CSMC, the patella can fracture in numerous ways. It can suffer a partial break or a complete break, or it can break into many pieces, usually due to high-energy trauma. The CSMC states that soft tissue injuries, such as ligament sprains and torn muscle tendons, may accompany patella fractures. Common signs and symptoms associated with a patella fracture include extreme pain in and around the patella, swelling in the affected area, pain with knee joint active range of motion, an inability to fully extend or straighten the affected-side leg, an observable knee deformity and tenderness when pressing on the patella. Patella fractures represent about 1 percent of all skeletal injuries, according to the CSMC.
