Knee pain is an umbrella term to describe pain around the knee joint. The knee is a complex joint and can be susceptible to injury or disease to the ligaments, bone and surrounding muscles. Common conditions which lead to knee pain include torn ligaments, cartilage damage and osteoarthritis.

The knee is a vulnerable joint and as such can be affected by a variety of injuries or diseases. The knee is made up of two joints (patellofemoral and tibiofemoral), the patella (kneecap), tendons and four ligaments (anterior cruciate, posterior cruciate, medial collateral and the lateral collateral).

Located within the knee joint is the menisci (cartilage) which protects the surfaces of the joint from impact and helps to stabilise and lubricate the knee.

Any of these areas of the knee can be affected by acute injury or trauma, particularly from sports or physical activity. If there is no history of injury, the cause of knee pain can be determined by where symptoms of pain are presenting and if there is loss of mobility.

Common causes of knee pain that aren't triggered by acute trauma to the joint include:

•     Chipped bone/cartilage – Fragments of bone or cartilage can become dislodged in the joint.
•     Bursitis – Repeated kneeling or bending can cause inflammation in the sac of fluid which cushions and protects the knee joint.
•    Osgood-Schaltter Disease – A common condition among teenagers which causes a painful bump below the knee joint where the kneecap tendon connects to the shin.
•     Osteoarthritis – Commonly associated with deterioration of the articular cartilage caused by repetitive strain on the knee (usually through sports or work).
•     Tendonitis – Swelling of the tendons through overuse.

Symptoms of knee pain

The symptoms of knee pain vary depending on the type of knee injury or problem. However, there are some common symptoms which indicate a knee joint problem:

•     Pain – either around the whole joint or in a specific area. This is often made worse when bending or straightening the knee or when putting weight on the joint.
•     Swelling – often appears rapidly after an injury or trauma to the joint
•     Lack of function/mobility – people often describe the joint as becoming 'frozen' or 'stuck' in one position.
•     Grinding noise – typically a symptom which indicates a breakdown of cartilage

Diagnosis of knee pain

Sudden impact injuries or trauma to the knee joint should be assessed by a medical professional as soon as possible to help prevent further damage to the joint.

For chronic knee pain, in the first instance your GP will take a history of the problem and examine the knee to find any indication as to the cause of the problem.

The GP may request further diagnostic tests such as an Arthroscopy to determine the extent of any damage or disease. The same procedure is also used to remove torn cartilage and perform reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament.

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