Advertisement
Pain in front of the knee
Advertisement
Knee pain that radiates from the front may indicate an underlying problem. This type of discomfort feels differently from person to person and can be very unpleasant to bear.
The pain can appear as a dull ache or a sharp, stabbing sensation. It may be due to a change in your walking pattern or type of activity.
If the pain is severe, you may need to rest your knee and take anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen. You can also apply an ice pack directly to your knee to reduce swelling and sharp sensations.
Pain behind the knee
If you experience pain behind your knee when walking, it could be due to a number of conditions. These include osteoarthritis, chondromalacia, and patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFP syndrome). Osteoarthritis is a
degenerative joint disease in which the protective cartilage in the knee joint wears away with age, but it can also be caused by trauma such as sprains and strains.
Physical Foot Pain Syndrome (PFP) is a common condition that causes pain and stiffness around the kneecap, making it difficult to properly stretch and straighten when walking, kneeling, or bending over. Discomfort may be worse when standing, walking, running, or going up and down stairs.
Knee back pain
If you feel pain behind your knee when walking, you may have an injury. Unfortunately, knee injuries are very common, especially among young people and athletes.
Injuries to ligaments such as the medial collateral ligament (MCL) can cause back pain in the knee. Another potential cause is a posterior cruciate ligament injury.
Muscle spasms can also cause back pain in the knee. These muscle contractions caused by muscle tension can last for hours, and sometimes days.
Side of the knee pain
Walking puts a lot of strain on your knees, which can lead to pain on the side of your knee.
One possible cause is an injury to your meniscus. There are two menisci, each made of tough, rubbery cartilage that sits between your femur and tibia (shinbone).
Another common cause is lateral knee arthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of knee arthritis, affecting 32 million Americans, and causes joint pain, stiffness and loss of movement as the cartilage that cushions the bone wears away.
