Knee pain can be caused by overuse, injury or underlying medical conditions. Overuse and repetitive strain can cause:

​​

• Tendinitis/tendinopathy - Disorder causing pain, swelling and impaired function, typically triggered by overuse or repetitive mechanical loading.

• Bursitis - Swelling in the small fluid-filled sacs that cushion the soft tissues around the joints.

• Runner’s knee (Patellofemoral pain syndrome) – This causes pain around and behind the kneecap.

• Iliotibial band syndrome – The tissue that runs down from the hip to the outer knee becomes irritated.

 

Common injuries include:

​​

• Strains and sprains – Damage to ligaments or muscles from twisting or overstretching.

• Torn meniscus - The cartilage which cushions the knee joint ruptures.

• Ligament tears – These are common in sports related injuries.

• Dislocated kneecap – This is when the kneecap slips out of its normal alignment.

 

Medical conditions:

​​

• Osteoarthritis & Rheumatoid Arthritis

• Septic Arthritis

• Gout

• Baker’s Cyst (popliteal cyst)

• Osgood-Schlatter Disease

 

Knee pain can be very limiting, especially when it effects walking. This is usually worse on stairs and walking on uneven ground. Ideally try to keep the knee mobile but reduce your use to tolerable levels. This may mean reducing exercise activity for a period of time.