While people of all ages complain of pain that occurs in the front of the knee, anterior knee pain is two to seven times more prevalent in women than men, according to Sinai Hospital of Baltimore. Because the exact cause of knee pain can be difficult to pinpoint, you should seek a proper diagnosis before you attempt to treat it.
Common Conditions
Patellofemoral syndrome, sometimes called chondromalacia patella, accounts for the most common cause of knee pain when climbing stairs or engaging in physical activity. You may feel an ache underneath your kneecap that worsens when you descend steps or hills. Your knees may feel hot and sore after any activity that requires walking, running or bouncing. You may feel pain or tenderness when wearing high heels. One or both knees may be affected.
Less common conditions that can be aggravated by activity or stair climbing include arthritis, tendinitis, bursitis and iliotibial band syndrome.
Causes
While doctors are not certain what causes patellofemoral syndrome, many factors can contribute to its onset. The syndrome can be caused by muscle tightness in the hamstrings or quadriceps, damage to the cartilage under the kneecap, congenital defects such as flat feet, malalignment of the kneecap, inflammation, instability of the kneecap, and overuse. Suddenly increasing the intensity of your workouts, overtraining, or frequently squatting and climbing often contributes to knee pain. Eventually, pain may occur after long periods of sitting with the knee bent.
Arthritis occurs when the cartilage at the ends of your leg bones begins to wear away. Tendinitis, bursitis and iliotibial band syndrome often occur with overuse.
Treatment
Your doctor may prescribe rest -- avoiding activity that causes pain -- as well as anti-inflammatory medication, such as ibuprofen, and strengthening and stretching exercises for patellofemoral syndrome, bursitis and tendinitis. Icing your knees with cold compresses after activity can help reduce inflammation. A physical therapist can help you with stretching and strengthening exercises as well as other treatment.
Arthritis may be treated with medication and, in extreme cases, surgery. While gentle exercise is encouraged, continuing to exercise through arthritic pain can result in permanent joint deformity.
Prevention
As with any injury, preventing a knee injury is preferable to treatment. Avoid frequent squatting or climbing and increase the intensity of your workouts slowly. If you begin to feel pain in your knees, reduce the intensity until you no longer have pain. Strengthen your quadriceps and hamstrings to keep your knee stable. If you are overweight, your doctor may advise you to lose weight to reduce the load placed on your knees.
Some types of arthritis can be prevented by maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet and avoiding the use of cigarettes.
