Knee Pain
Symptomatic knee pain is common and increases with age. In Singapore, symptomatic knee pain is common and increases with age, especially from age 40 and above. It may also be more common in Indians, followed by Malays and Chinese1. This is a knee joint with possible structures that can cause pain around the knee.
As knee pain is a symptom and not a medical diagnosis, these are other symptoms that you may feel with your knee pain:
- Joint pain or aches around the knee
- Short period of stiffness in the morning
- Mild swelling around the knee
- Painful clicking of the knee joint
- Pain with activities (e.g. squatting, climbing stairs) which relieves with rest
- Reduce knee joint movement
Common risk factors:
- Overweight
- Poor sleep, low mood, anxiety
- Overloading with activities
- Older age (>40 years old)
- Previous knee injury (e.g. ligament injury, fracture)
- Muscle weakness (e.g. hip, knee)
What to Know About Joint Pain in the Knee
When there are problems that affect joints, or the areas where bones meet together, you may experience pain along with other symptoms like swelling and stiffness. The knee is the largest and strongest joint in your body. Here’s what to know about the potential causes of joint pain in the knee, as well as the symptoms and treatment options.
The common causes of knee joint pain may include the following:
- Arthritis - Arthritis refers to joint pain, stiffness, and inflammation.
- Bursitis - Bursitis is a type of inflammation of a bursa, which is a small sac that cushions your bones, tendons, and muscles. It can cause pain, swelling, and redness along the infected joint.
- Gout - Gout is a common type of inflammatory arthritis that most often starts in your lower limbs, particularly the big toe. It’s caused by a buildup of uric acid in the body, which may then lead to the development of crystals within the affected joints.
- Chondromalacia of the patella - Chondromalacia is specific to the kneecaps and is caused by a breakdown of cartilage.
- Tendinitis - Tendinitis is a type of overuse injury that results in inflammation of the tendons, which connect between your muscles and bones.
- Joint infection - Also known as septic arthritis or infectious arthritis, a joint infection may develop if a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection spreads to your joints.
- Osteoporosis - Mostly affecting people born female over the age of 50Trusted Source, osteoporosis is an age-related bone disease that can lead to weakness and fractures.
- Fibromyalgia - Fibromyalgia is known for causing widespread pain and extreme fatigue.
- Injury - Injuries from falls and direct blows to the knee may also cause joint pain.
The symptoms of knee joint pain may vary based on the underlying cause, but can include:
- pain that gradually develops over time
- pain that’s worse in the morning or after rest
- pain that may radiate beyond the knee area
- tenderness
- redness
- flare-ups after vigorous activities
- weakness, swelling, and stiffness in the knee that may limit range of motion
- “creaking” sounds in the knee
Knee Pain
Many types of minor knee pain respond well to self-care measures. Physical therapy and knee braces also can help relieve pain. In some cases, however, your knee may require surgical repair.
The location and severity of knee pain may vary, depending on the cause of the problem. Signs and symptoms that sometimes accompany knee pain include:
- Swelling and stiffness
- Redness and warmth to the touch
- Weakness or instability
- Popping or crunching noises
- Inability to fully straighten the knee
Knee Pain
What is knee pain? Knee pain is pain or discomfort you feel in or around your knee joint. Joints are places in your body where two bones meet. Your knee joint connects your thigh to your lower leg. It’s where your thigh bone (femur) meets your shin bone (tibia). The knee is the biggest joint in your body, and it absorbs and supports a lot of your weight as you move. That’s why it’s one of the most commonly injured joints. Knee pain can be a temporary, short-term problem, but it can also be a chronic (long-term) issue that needs diagnosis and treatment by a healthcare provider.
Where you feel knee pain usually depends on which part or parts of your joint are damaged. You might feel pain:
- Close to the surface above or behind your knee (usually an issue with your muscles, tendons or ligaments).
- Deeper inside your knee (pain that comes from your bones or cartilage).
- In multiple parts of your knee or leg. Knee pain can sometimes spread (radiate) to other areas. You may feel pain on one side that sometimes feels like it’s coming from the back of your knee. Pain can also radiate to areas around your knee, like your lower leg or thigh.
Knee pain
Knee pain is pain in or around the knee. The knee joint consists of an articulation between four bones: the femur, tibia, fibula and patella. There are four compartments to the knee. These are the medial and lateral tibiofemoral compartments, the patellofemoral compartment and the superior tibiofibular joint.
The components of each of these compartments can experience repetitive strain, injury or disease. Running long distance can cause pain to the knee joint, as it is a high-impact exercise. The location and severity of knee pain may vary, depending on the cause of the problem.
Signs and symptoms that sometimes accompany knee pain include:
- Swelling and stiffness
- Redness and warmth to the touch
- Weakness or instability
- Popping or crunching noises
- Inability to fully straighten the knee
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