According to a 2006 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 18 percent of adult respondents reported knee pain during the previous 30-day period. Knee pain can stem from a variety of injuries and conditions such as arthritis and bursitis. Proper medical diagnosis of knee pain will help in treating it.
Arthritis
There are five kinds of arthritis that can occur in the knee joint and cause pain. The most common is osteoarthritis, or degenerative arthritis, due to the constant wear and tear on the cartilage in the knee with usage and age. Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by an autoimmune response and is the most debilitating form of arthritis. Gout is arthritis due to the formation of uric acid crystals within the joint, whereas pseudogout is caused by a buildup of calcium pyrophosphate crystals in the joint fluid and is more common in the knees than gout. The last type of arthritis in the knee joint is septic arthritis, and it is the least common type. It usually occurs with a fever, and the knee joint becomes infected, leading to pain, swelling and redness.
Injuries
Knee pain can be caused by numerous injuries to the ligaments, tendons, cartilage or bursa. The ligaments in the knee are susceptible to tears, especially to the anterior cruciate ligament and the posterior cruciate ligament. Sports like soccer and football can cause tears, as can motor vehicle accidents.
Tendons can rupture or become inflamed. One common tendon injury is called jumper's knee, a type of tendonitis caused by repeated bouts of jumping. Patellar tendinitis is inflammation that develops in the patellar tendon and is typically seen in skiers, runners and cyclists.
The meniscus is a tough and rubbery cartilage that functions as a shock absorber in the knee joint. This cartilage can tear with sudden twisting actions of the knee and result in knee pain.
The knees have bursae that can become inflamed due to trauma causing bursitis. The bursae are small sacs of fluid that act as a cushion between the tendons and the bone while also allowing the tendons and ligaments to glide smoothly over the knee joint.
Mechanical Problems
Mechanical problems can occur with the patella or kneecap due to dislocation of the kneecap or an altered gait. Changing your gait due to painful feet or hips can affect the alignment of the kneecap, causing stress to the knee joint, resulting in knee pain.
Loose bodies in the knee is another mechanical issue that can result in painful knees. Pieces of bone or cartilage can break off due to injury or degeneration, and either float within the joint space or get lodged preventing proper knee movement.
Other Knee Problems
Plica syndrome arises from overuse or injury to the plicae, which are bands of tissue in the knee, causing pain and swelling in the knee.
Iliotibial band syndrome is swelling at the knee joint resulting from overuse of the knee over a long period where the tendon repeatedly rubs over the outer bone of the knee joint.
Chondromalacia patellae is a general term used to describe pain that arises between the patella and the underlying thighbone. It occurs due to softening of the cartilage under the kneecap and contributes to injury, overuse, muscle weakness or misalignment of the knee joint.
Osgood-Schlatter disease is most common in growing boys who are involved in running and/or jumping sports. This condition is caused by stress on the upper part of the shinbone, resulting in swelling in the knee and upper shinbone, where bone growth occurs. It can also occur when the patellar tendon tears away from the bone, taking a portion of bone with it.
Osteochondritis dissecans is a condition that results from decreased blood flow to cartilage and the underlying bone. The cartilage and bone gradually loosen and may break off causing pain, weakness and locking of the knee joint.
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