Reviewed by medical experts • For informational purposes only
Causes of knee pain: osteoarthritis, ligament and meniscus injury, overuse, gout, inflammatory arthritis and infection.
The knee is a large joint that carries body weight and moves constantly, so it is often injured or worn. Knee pain can come from the joint, the ligaments, the cartilage, the tendons or the bones.
Wear and long-term causes
Injuries
Overuse conditions
Inflammatory and crystal causes
Infection
Septic arthritis, which is an emergency, and tuberculosis of the knee.
Other factors
Ayurvedic view
Ayurveda calls degenerative knee pain janu sandhigata vata and links it to Vata imbalance, dryness and ageing. This is a traditional framework and not a modern diagnosis.
Key point
Age, weight, injury and overuse are the main causes, and the pattern of pain helps find which one.
Before your appointment
Note when the knee pain began, where it hurts, and whether there was a fall or twist. Describe swelling, stiffness, locking, giving way, clicking and what makes it better or worse. List all medicines, painkillers, supplements and herbal products. Mention fever, other joint pain, gout and past knee problems. Bring earlier X-rays or reports and your usual shoes. Ask about tests, exercise, safe pain relief and when surgery is considered. Seek urgent care for a hot swollen knee with fever or inability to bear weight, or call 112 for severe symptoms.
Written By
Dr. Daksh
BDS
Reviewed By
Dr. Varun Gupta
MD Pharmacology, MBBS
Last updated on
27 Sep 2022 • 06:23 PM (IST)
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Yoga and exercise for knee pain: thigh strengthening, low-impact activity, gentle poses and what to avoid.
Knee pain medicines: paracetamol, NSAID cautions, injections, gout and arthritis treatments and braces.
How knee pain is treated: exercise, weight loss, pain relief, treating the cause, injections and surgery.
Knee pain home care: early rest, ice, compression, gentle movement, weight control and what to avoid.
How knee pain is diagnosed: history, examination, X-ray, ultrasound, MRI, blood tests and joint fluid tests.
Ayurvedic view of knee pain (janu sandhigata vata): traditional care, limited evidence and cautions.
