A knee pain diagnosis chart helps you figure out what’s going on based on where it hurts.
Moreover, the most common causes of knee pain include osteoarthritis, meniscus tears, ligament injuries, and various types of tendonitis. Isn’t it annoying that these problems can occur?
In fact, research has shown that about 25% of adults deal with knee pain, and it’s become more common, rising by almost 65% in the last twenty years. This has resulted in close to 4 million visits to primary care doctors each year.
That’s why we will show you how to use this chart, identify each and every pain part and symptom, and diagnose potential knee problems.
Knee Pain Location Chart
Our knee pain location chart helps you identify where the pain is: front, back, inside, or outside of the knee. Pain can be in the front of the knee (anterior knee pain and patellofemoral pain syndrome) or the outer knee (lateral meniscus tears).
For example, patellofemoral pain syndrome (runner’s knee) affects athletes and is pain around the kneecap.
Common Causes of Knee Pain
Knee pain often comes from osteoarthritis (OA), which is pretty common. As of 2010, around 250 million people worldwide were dealing with knee osteoarthritis, which made up about 3.6% of the population.
The knee pain location chart guides you to the specific area and related conditions. Common causes are:
- Osteoarthritis: Cartilage degeneration over time causing pain and stiffness.
- Meniscus Tears: Caused by twisting motion resulting in pain and swelling.
- Ligament Injuries (ACL, MCL, PCL): Caused by trauma resulting in severe pain and instability.
- Bursitis: Inflammation of the bursa causing pain when kneeling or bending.
- Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome: Pain around the kneecap, also known as runner’s knee.
- Tendonitis (Patellar Tendonitis, Quadriceps Tendonitis): Pain and swelling during movement.
How to Use Our Knee Pain Diagnosis Chart
Our knee pain diagnosis chart shows the connection between pain locations and potential knee conditions.
For instance, pain at the front of your knee could be related to patellofemoral syndrome, while pain on the inside might point to a meniscus injury or MCL strain.
Here’s how to use the chart:
- Find the area where you feel pain on the knee diagram.
- Identify the type of pain
- Note what makes it better or worse (movement, rest, or specific activities).
- Match your symptoms to the corresponding condition on the chart.
This visual guide is a great tool for understanding your knee pain and communicating it more clearly to healthcare professionals.
Front of the Knee Pain Diagnosis Chart
Pain in the front of the knee can affect daily activities like walking, climbing stairs, and even sitting. Common conditions include patellar tendon and quadriceps tendonitis.
The quadriceps tendon is above the knee and is responsible for knee extension and can become inflamed from overuse or injury.
Osgood-Schlatter disease is another condition that affects the growth plate below the knee and causes swelling and tenderness, especially in children and adolescents.
1. Anterior Knee Pain
A burning sensation below the kneecap is what anterior knee pain feels like, often associated with patellar tendonitis. Also known as jumper’s knee, this is common in athletes who do frequent jumping sports.
Quadriceps tendonitis, plica inflammation, and Sinding-Larsen-Johansson syndrome, which affects the growth plate near the bottom of the kneecap, are other causes of anterior knee pain.
Moreover, symptoms can range from a grinding feeling when flexing the knee to severe pain and swelling in partial patella dislocation cases.
2. Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
Patellofemoral pain syndrome, or runner’s knee, is dull pain around the kneecap and front of the knee. It can feel like a grating sensation where the thigh meets the kneecap.
As you can see, common causes are patellar tendonitis, patellofemoral arthritis, prepatellar bursitis, and patellar fractures.
Also climbing stairs can worsen the symptoms because of repetitive knee movement.
Outer Knee Pain Diagnosis Chart
Various reasons, including nerve issues and physical trauma, can cause outer knee pain. A fall can cause partial dislocation of the superior tibiofibular joint and can be very painful.
In some situations, nerve issues can also manifest as tingling sensations in the outer knee area.
1. Lateral Knee Pain
Lateral knee pain is often caused by iliotibial band syndrome and lateral collateral ligament injuries. Repetitive activities and overuse can cause iliotibial band syndrome, which can lead to inflammation and pain on the outside of the knee.
In this way, trauma, sprain, or tear can cause lateral collateral ligament injuries, which can lead to complications like pressure on the peroneal nerve and damage to the posterolateral corner.
2. Lateral Meniscus Tear
Lateral meniscus tears are caused by direct trauma or degeneration often associated with arthritis. Symptoms are sudden pain, swelling, and difficulty walking.
Meanwhile, treatment ranges from rest and physical therapy to surgical intervention depending on the severity of the tear.
Inner Knee Pain Diagnosis Chart
Ligament, cartilage, or tendon issues can cause inner knee pain and symptoms of swelling, stiffness, and tenderness. Common causes are medial collateral ligament injuries, cartilage tears, and tendinitis.
1. Medial Knee Pain
Medial collateral ligament damage, often caused by an outward (valgus) force on the joint, can cause medial knee pain. Other causes are pes anserine bursitis, where the bursa below the knee joint becomes inflamed, and plica inflammation due to injury or overuse.
2. Medial Meniscus Tear
Twisting or rotating the knee while weight-bearing can cause a medial meniscus tear. Symptoms are knee swelling, pain during twisting movements, and a popping sensation. Athletes in sports that demand sudden pivots are more prone to this injury.
In older adults, minimal trauma can cause degeneration and a medial meniscus tear.
Moreover, knee pain isn’t just something that happens to older adults, but younger people can deal with it too. In a study with 314 participants, it turned out that 31.8% of them had knee issues, and the most frequently reported symptom was knee pain, which made up 65% of those cases.
Read more: Shoulder Pain Diagnosis Chart: Your Guide to Symptoms and Solutions
Back of the Knee Pain
Various conditions can cause pain at the back of the knee, and each requires different treatment. Common causes are Baker’s cyst, a fluid-filled sac behind the knee, and posterior cruciate ligament injuries.
Hamstring tendonitis, the muscle behind the knee, and calf muscle strains can also cause pain because of the interconnectedness of muscles and tendons in the area.
1. Posterior Knee Pain
Again, Muscle, tendon, or ligament issues can cause pain in the back of the knee. Overuse can cause inflamed hamstring tendons, which can cause sharp knee pain at the back of the knee.
Posterior cruciate ligament injuries can cause pain, swelling, and joint instability and can range from partial tears to complete tears.
Conditions like Baker’s cyst, which forms due to knee joint swelling, can cause stiffness and difficulty in moving the leg.
2. Calf Strain
On top of that, calf muscle strains can cause pain behind the knee due to the interconnectedness of muscles and tendons. Leg muscle cramps caused by muscle fatigue, strain, dehydration, or restricted blood supply can also be a sign of underlying issues.
Pain Around the Knee Joint
Various conditions such as ligament injuries, tendinitis, and bursitis can cause pain around the knee joint.
Chondromalacia, where the cartilage beneath the kneecap softens and degenerates, can also cause knee pain.
Of course, poor kneecap alignment can cause anterior knee pain due to abnormal movement.
1. Knee Osteoarthritis
Knee osteoarthritis is a painful condition where pain and stiffness increase over time due to cartilage degeneration. Symptoms are knee pain, reduced mobility, instability in the outer knee compartment, and knee joint issues.
Structured exercise plans that focus on joint protection and muscle strengthening are key to managing osteoarthritis.
Take Note: Surgical intervention may be needed in advanced cases.
2. Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that affects joints, causing inflammation, pain, and eventually knee structure damage.
Chronic inflammation can erode cartilage and bone and can severely affect mobility. Common symptoms are swelling, tenderness, and stiffness, especially in the morning or after inactivity.
Treatment may include DMARDs and biological therapies to reduce inflammation and slow down disease progression.
Latest Knee Pain Diagnosis Chart
Proper diagnosis is key to treating knee pain and determining the right treatment. Physical examination assesses joint effusion, tenderness, and range of motion.
Imaging tests like X-rays, MRIs, and ultrasounds are necessary to identify the underlying cause of knee pain.
Treatment depends on the diagnosis and can range from medications to surgical interventions.
| Pain Location | Symptoms | Possible Conditions |
|---|
| Front (Anterior) | Pain when climbing stairs, kneeling, or sitting for long periods | Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (Runner’s Knee) |
| Swelling, tenderness, pain below the kneecap | Patellar Tendinitis (Jumper’s Knee) |
| Inside (Medial) | Pain worsens with movement, swelling, stiffness | Medial Meniscus Tear |
| Pain near the joint line, instability | MCL (Medial Collateral Ligament) Injury |
| Outside (Lateral) | Pain during activity, swelling, snapping sensation | IT Band Syndrome |
| Pain after twisting motion, swelling, instability | Lateral Meniscus Tear |
| Back (Posterior) | Pain when bending, swelling behind the knee | Baker’s Cyst |
| Deep, throbbing pain, especially at night | Knee Osteoarthritis |
| All Over | Stiffness, swelling, crepitus, worse in the morning | Arthritis (Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid) |
| Sudden swelling, redness, warmth | Infection or Gout |
Physical Examination
Physical examination is key in diagnosing knee pain by assessing the knee joint itself and its function. X-rays are used to identify bone fractures and assess joint alignment, especially when there is tenderness or the patient can’t bear weight.
However, ultrasound helps detect joint effusions and evaluate the integrity of superficial structures around the knee.
Imaging Tests
Imaging tests like MRIs provide detailed images of soft tissues, making it necessary for diagnosing ligament and cartilage injuries in the knee. MRIs assess soft tissue injuries like ligament tears or meniscal damage.
Also, ultrasound evaluates fluid accumulation and soft tissue abnormalities.
Combining X-rays, MRIs, and ultrasounds gives a more accurate diagnosis and better treatment plan for knee pain.
Treatment Options
Knee pain has become quite common in the United States lately. According to the Framingham Osteoarthritis Study, when they adjusted for age and body mass index (BMI), they found that the prevalence of knee pain in women rose from 8.0% to 24.7%, while in men, it went up from 3.9% to 16.5% over a span of 20 years.
As you can see, treatment ranges from conservative approaches like physical therapy to more invasive surgical interventions depending on the condition.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy can improve knee function and reduce pain through targeted exercises and rehabilitation.
Strengthening the surrounding muscles improves knee stability and reduces pain; physical therapy is effective for conditions like patellofemoral pain syndrome, knee osteoarthritis, and patellar tendonitis.
Physical therapy may yield similar results as surgical interventions for meniscus tears.
Surgical Interventions
Surgical options are considered for severe knee pain and joint deformities, especially when conservative treatments fail. Procedures are arthroscopic surgery to repair joint damage, partial knee replacement, and total knee replacement.
These surgeries aim to restore function, alleviate pain, and improve the quality of life of the patient.
Wrap Up
With all of this in mind, diagnosing the location and cause of your knee pain is the first step to recovery. Our knee pain diagnosis chart is your go-to tool to figure out what’s going on.
Of course, a thorough physical examination and appropriate imaging is necessary to identify the source of the problem. Therefore, you have a variety of treatment options available to you, from physical therapy to surgical intervention. As soon as you identify the cause of your knee pain, you can take back control of your life and get back on your feet.
