Causes of Knee Pain

Knee pain may make it difficult for you to climb stairs, run after your child or perform your usual workouts. The causes of knee pain include injuries, chronic diseases and overuse and are often treatable at home with rest, elevation and pain relievers as directed by your doctor. Consider this information from the Mayo Clinic about the causes of knee pain.

Osteoarthritis

• Osteoarthritis can cause you to develop inflammation in your knees, which may progressively get worse over time without treatment.

Torn ACL

• A tear in your anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) may make walking or standing difficult or impossible and requires prompt medical evaluation.

Tendinitis

• Tendinitis is inflammation of a tendon and can occur in your patellar tendon, resulting in swelling and pain in your knee.

Torn Cartilage

• The meniscus of your knee is a piece of cartilage that can cause pain and swelling if torn by injuries such as falling or blunt force.

Bursitis

• Bursitis is inflammation of the fluid around your knee that results from injuries and falls and can cause knee pain during movement or rest.

Dislocated Kneecap

• A dislocated kneecap can result from a fall or sudden trauma and causes immediate intense pain, swelling and difficulty walking.

Gout

• Gout is a type of arthritis that may affect your knee and cause redness, swelling and attacks of sudden and intense pain that usually occur at night and last for up to ten days.