Why Does Your Knee Hurt? 12 Common Causes and When to See a Doctor — Patient Guide for Lucknow Why Does Your Knee Hurt? 12 Common Causes and When to See a Doctor — Patient Guide for Lucknow — लखनऊ में मार्गदर्शन

Knee pain can make everyday movements such as walking, climbing stairs, or standing up feel like a challenging task.

It may develop suddenly after an injury or gradually due to strain, arthritis, or other underlying conditions. While in some cases, knee pain improves with rest, if someone has persistent pain, swelling, or stiffness, it could be due to an underlying cause that may demand medical intervention.

Key symptoms and patterns

In this blog, we cover 12 most common causes of knee pain, symptoms that may appear along with it, and when it’s advisable to consult a doctor. Common Causes of Knee Pain 1.

Ligament Injuries The knee has four main ligaments that provide stability, and injuries to these ligaments can cause pain, swelling, and difficulty walking.

Ligament tears often happen due to sudden twisting movements, direct blows, or awkward landings, making them common in sports like football, basketball, and skiing. Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Tear: Often caused by sudden stops, direction changes, or high-impact sports.

Common causes and risk factors

It leads to severe pain, swelling, and knee instability, sometimes accompanied by a popping sound at the time of injury. Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) Tear: Usually results from a direct hit to the outer knee, causing pain and swelling on the inner side.

MCL injuries often occur in contact sports or activities that involve side-to-side movement. Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) Tear: Typically occurs due to a fall or impact to the front of the knee, leading to stiffness and swelling.

PCL injuries are less common but can happen in car accidents when the knee hits the dashboard. Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL) Tear: Less common but can happen due to direct force on the inner knee, causing instability and pain on the outer side. LCL injuries may cause the knee to feel wobbly or give out. 2.

Diagnosis and evaluation

Meniscus Tear The meniscus is a piece of cartilage that cushions the knee joint, acting as a shock absorber. A sudden twist, deep squat, or heavy lifting can cause it to tear, leading to pain, swelling, and difficulty bending or straightening the knee.

Some people may experience a sensation of their knee locking or catching, making movement uncomfortable. Meniscus tears are common in athletes and older adults with degenerative knee conditions. 3. Tendonitis Tendons connect muscles to bones, and excessive strain can lead to inflammation, known as tendonitis.

This condition is often seen in people who engage in repetitive knee movements, such as runners, cyclists, and those who frequently jump. Patellar Tendonitis (Jumper’s Knee): Common in athletes who do repetitive jumping or running, causing pain below the kneecap.

This can make simple activities like climbing stairs or kneeling painful

This can make simple activities like climbing stairs or kneeling painful. Quadriceps Tendonitis: Affects the tendon above the kneecap, often due to overuse, improper stretching, or muscle imbalances. Pain usually worsens with activity and improves with rest. 4.

Bursitis Bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs that cushion the knee joint and reduce friction between bones, tendons, and muscles. Frequent kneeling, prolonged pressure, or direct trauma can inflame these sacs, leading to bursitis.

Pain may worsen with movement, and the knee can become swollen, tender, and warm to the touch. People who work in jobs requiring constant kneeling, such as plumbers and gardeners, are at higher risk. 5. Osteoarthritis Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis affecting the knee.

Consult Dr. Kumar Deepak in Lucknow

Persistent joint, bone, or muscle symptoms deserve a structured evaluation rather than repeated self-treatment alone.

Dr. Kumar Deepak — M.S. Ortho (Gold Medalist), F.I.J.R | ASAMI | AO Trauma — consults at The OrthoVision Clinic and Remedy Medicity, Lucknow. Call to book an appointment and discuss a plan suited to your activity level.