Frank Avilucea, MD now serving patients in Orlando, FL and surrounding areas.
Knee pain is a common problem and can develop at any age. About 25% of adults in the US experience frequent knee pain.1
Although knee pain is common, its cause is not always immediately clear. In fact, some patients can’t pinpoint exactly when their pain started, but they do notice when it starts to affect their daily lives.
To understand the cause of your knee pain – and to learn about treatment options – make an appointment with your doctor. Diagnosing the cause of knee pain often requires professional help. It may also involve imaging (X-rays or MRIs, for example) and other procedures.
Some common reasons for knee pain are listed below, but please keep in mind that this is not a complete list. The best way to understand the cause of your pain is to talk to a healthcare professional.
5 Common Reasons for Knee Pain:
There are many kinds of arthritis, but the most common is osteoarthritis – what is often called the “wear-and-tear” arthritis that causes the breakdown of cartilage. You may have heard that cartilage damage leads directly to knee replacement, but there are now a range of treatments designed to repair cartilage and relieve pain.
The ACL – anterior cruciate ligament – is one of four ligaments in your knee connecting the thigh bone (femur) with the shin bone (tibia). It is a strong band of tissue that allows your knee to move in different directions and yet maintain stability. The ACL can be stretched or torn from sudden injury or overuse.
The meniscus is the spongy, rubbery cartilage that sits between your thigh bone (femur) and shin bone (tibia). It serves as a cushion or shock absorber in the knee. The meniscus can be torn from sudden movements, especially twisting movements, though the injury can occur in other situations, too.
Knee bursitis occurs when one or more of the small fluid sacs around the knee (the bursae) become inflamed. Bursitis may be caused by injury or overuse, and like other knee conditions, it may produce pain and swelling.
Bone fractures in the knee are often caused by falls or accidents. Fractures may occur in the thigh bone (femur), shin bone (tibia), or kneecap (patella).
Again, this is not a complete list of knee conditions. There are many possible reasons for knee pain, and many ways in which a patient’s individual health situation may impact the knee.
If you’re struggling with knee pain, please talk to your doctor.
All information provided on this website is for information purposes only and is not meant as medical advice. Every patient's case is unique and each patient should follow his or her doctor's specific instructions. Please discuss nutrition, medication and treatment options with your doctor to make sure you are getting the proper care for your particular situation. If you are seeking this information in an emergency situation, please call 911 and seek emergency help.
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