Knee pain affects people at different ages and activity levels. Causes include acute injury, overuse, degenerative changes or inflammatory conditions. Below are typical causes, warning signs that need prompt attention, and which specialties usually evaluate knee complaints.
Many conditions can cause knee pain: meniscal tears, ligament injuries (for example anterior cruciate ligament), cartilage wear such as osteoarthritis, tendinopathy and bursitis, patellofemoral pain syndrome, and overuse injuries. Inflammatory arthritides and gout can also affect the knee. Less commonly, infections or tumors are considered in the diagnostic work‑up.
Knee pain may feel sharp, aching, burning or catching, and can worsen or improve with movement. Associated signs include swelling, locking, reduced range of motion, a feeling of instability (giving way), or fever. Red flags that require urgent assessment include sudden severe pain after trauma, visible deformity, inability to bear weight, new numbness or tingling, or high fever — these warrant prompt evaluation at emergency services.
Initial assessment is often by a primary care physician. Based on history and exam, patients may be referred to Orthopaedics and Traumatology for trauma or surgical concerns; Rheumatology for suspected inflammatory disease; Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation for functional recovery and exercise-based management; or Sports Medicine for sports-related injuries. Imaging and laboratory tests are ordered when advised by the clinician.
Maintaining a healthy weight, strengthening the muscles around the knee, using appropriate footwear and avoiding repetitive overload help protect the joint. Proper warm-up and progressive training reduce risk in sport. Persistent or worsening symptoms should be assessed by a healthcare professional rather than managed solely at home.
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