What Are the Causes of Knee Joint Pain?

Knee joint pain is a common affliction affecting large portions of the population. A complex body joint, the knee is susceptible to a variety of disorders and diseases that can cause pain, ranging from mild discomfort to excruciating pain.

Overuse

• Knee joint pain is often the result of overuse, especially in athletes or highly active individuals who routinely place high levels of stress on their knees. Knee overuse injuries generally cause irritation of the soft tissues in and around the knee joint, which causes pain.

Sprains

• A sprained knee can cause irritation and inflammation of the muscles and ligaments in and around the knee joint, which can cause pain and restricted knee joint movement. Sprains typically occur as the result of a fall or a sports injury and, in severe cases, can cause tearing of muscle tissue.

Tendinitis

• The tendons overlying the knee joint can become inflamed and irritated, a condition referred to as tendinitis, and cause knee pain and restricted knee joint movement. Knee tendinitis is typically caused by overuse injuries or knee sprains.

Tendon Tears

• A torn knee joint tendon typically causes moderate to severe knee pain as well as restricted knee joint movement. Knee joint tendon tears typically happen as the result of a fall or an accident that causes sudden and extreme knee twisting.

Osteoarthritis

• Osteoarthritis is a common cause of knee joint pain. A degenerative condition that results in gradual destruction of the articular cartilage lining the knee joint, osteoarthritis causes pain, sometimes severe, and restricted knee joint movement.