Athletes are at greater risk of sustaining knee injuries. A knee injury can become a life altering event, leading to long-term pain and loss of athletic ability. Seek medical care immediately after the injury occurs. Knowing what causes your knee pain is the first step to healing and can help you to avoid risky behavior that may lead to further knee damage.
Your Knee
Children, men and women are all susceptible to lateral knee problems as well as people of all races and ethnic backgrounds. Knees provide support to the body and are vital to the legs ability to straighten and bend. This flexibility and stability allow a human to jump, turn, stand, walk, and run. Bones, ligaments, cartilage, tendons and muscles allow the knees to perform their job. Sudden movements, overuse and trauma can damage the knee. Certain rheumatic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, can trigger an inflammatory response in the knee.
Iliotibal Band Syndrome
Lateral knee pain is the most common symptom that accompanies Iliotibial band syndrome. This pain is caused by swelling of the distal portion of the iliotibial -- in other words, the portion closest to the knee joint. A thick band of fascia that crosses the hip joint and travels through the patella, tibia and biceps femoris tendon is referred to as the iliotibial band. The distal iliotibial band can become irritated and inflamed in athletes that perform continuous flexion and extension of the knee, which leads to lateral knee pain. Iliotibial band syndrome can cause an athlete to become stagnant and lead to obesity. Treatment requires activity modification and rehabilitation involving stretching of the iliotibial band and strengthening of the gluteus medius. If the patient experiences swelling or pain when walking, corticosteroid injections should be considered as a possible therapy.
Lateral Collateral Ligament Injury
Athletes that are experiencing pain on the lateral portion of their knee may have injured their lateral collateral ligament, or LCL. This ligament may have received an injury due to a partial tear, full tear or just a stretch. Injury to the LCL occurs due to pressure or trauma that stresses the outside part of the joint. Signs of injury to the lateral collateral ligament include swelling, locking, pain or tenderness in the knee. Your knee may feel like it is going to give way when you have injured this ligament. Health care providers will direct patients with LCL injuries to apply ice to the swollen area and may prescribe anti-inflammatory medication. Elevating the knee above the heart and limit activity until the swelling subsides.
Lateral Meniscus Tear
The lateral meniscus is a thick band of rubbery cartilage that is attached to the tibia (shin bone) This cartilage stabilizes the knee and acts as a shock absorbers. The lateral meniscus is located outside of the knee and a meniscus tear can split it in half, be ripped around its circumference or hang by a thread to the knee joint. If the tear is barely noticeable, a minor incident can trigger a flare up years later. When a lateral meniscus tear occurs, lateral knee pain and swelling may occur leading to difficulty walking. Flexing or twisting the knee can cause additional pain and there is a risk of the knee temporarily locking when loose cartilage becomes stuck in the joint.
References
- "American Family Physician"; Iliotibial Band Syndrome: A Common Source of Knee Pain; Razib Khound, M.D.; April 15, 2005
- MedlinePlus: Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL) Injury
- Cedars Sinai: Medial and Lateral Meniscus Tears
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases: Knee Problems
