Medial & Posterior Knee Pain

The purpose of the knee is to bend or extend so the body can perform activities such as walking, kicking, running, jumping, standing and sitting. When the knee is injured these activities can be compromised.

Medial knee pain

• Medial knee pain is pain that occurs on the inside of the knee.

Medial knee pain causes

• Medial knee pain is caused by an injury to the inside of the knee. Medial knee injuries include sprains to a medial collateral ligament (one of four ligaments that helps to stabilize the knee), tears in the meniscus (cartilage in the knee that absorbs shock), pes anserine bursitis (inflammatory condition of the medial knee), osteoarthritis (degeneration of cartilage) and plica syndrome (irritation to the tissue in the lining of the knee joint).

Posterior knee pain

• Posterior knee pain is pain that occurs at the back of the knee.

Posterior knee pain causes

• Posterior knee pain can be caused by injuries such as popliteal cysts (small fluid-filled structures that form on the back of the knee), hamstring strains and sprains to the posterior ligament (one of four ligaments that helps to stabilize the knee).

Symptoms

• Depending on the type of medial or posterior knee injury, symptoms may include a popping sound, pain that worsens when trying to walk or bend the knee, an inability to bear weight, swelling, redness, warmth, stiffness, and a feeling that the knee might give way.

Treatment

• Treatment for knee pain includes resting, icing the area, compression, elevation, physical therapy and, depending on the type of injury and its severity, surgery.