What is knee pain?

Having sore knees is common and isn’t usually a sign of anything serious. There are many possible causes, which can range from a simple muscle strain or tendonitis, to some kind of arthritis. Sometimes a cause can’t be found.

As you age, getting knee pain may become more common. You’re also more at risk of getting knee pain if you are overweight. Knee pain may sometimes be the result of a sports or other injury.

Causes

Knee injuries

Sprains, strains and tears are all types of knee injury. These can be caused by sports injuries, but you don’t have to be sporty to have this type of knee pain.

Tendonitis

Sore or painful knees can be a sign of tendonitis. This is when a tendon swells up and becomes painful - for example, after an injury.

Osgood-Schlatter's disease

This is a condition that can affect children and young people. In Osgood-Schlatter’s disease, the bony lump below your knee cap becomes painful and swollen during and after exercise.

Patellofemoral pain syndrome

This is a common knee problem, that particularly affects children and young adults. People with patellofemoral pain syndrome usually have pain behind or around the kneecap. Pain is usually felt when going up stairs, running, squatting, cycling, or sitting with flexed knees. Exercise therapy is often prescribed for this condition.

Managing Syptoms

Balancing rest and exercise

During the first 24 to 48 hours after your knee problem has started, you could:

• rest your knee, but avoid having long periods where you don’t move at all
• when you are awake, move your knee gently for 10 to 20 seconds every hour.

After 48 hours:

• Try to use your leg more, as exercise can help with long-term pain.
• When going downstairs, lead with your sore leg. Use the handrail, if there is one.
• Try to stick to your normal routine, if you can, as this can help your recovery. This includes staying at, or returning to, work.
• When going upstairs, lead with your good leg. Use the handrail, if there is one.