All You Need To Know About Inner Knee Pain
Inner knee pain is accompanied by various symptoms that distinguish it from other knee pains. You will find all of these and even ways to prevent and treat medial knee pain in this article.
Any pain in different parts of your body disrupts your daily activities. Inner knee pain is a common problem that affects approximately 19% of the population. The knee is one of the most complex and important joints in your body, so being prone to injuries is normal. When it comes to inner knee pain or medial knee pain, it means pain in the inner knee area closest to your opposite knee. Many reasons can trigger this problem at any age, regardless of gender. This pain is accompanied by various symptoms that distinguish it from other knee pains. Do you want to know what these symptoms are and what causes them? You will find all of these and even ways to prevent and treat medial knee pain in this article.
Wear A Knee Brace During The Day
According to studies, knee braces can provide relief, help you move more, and boost your healing process.
But, the infinite variety of knee supports is both a blessing and a curse. Its great to have so many options, but its hard to choose. If in doubt, refer to the advice of your doctor or physical therapist.
Learn more:The different types of knee braces and what you need
What Does It Mean When Behind Your Leg Hurts
There are a few possible explanations for why your leg might hurt when you press on it from behind. It could be a sign of a muscle strain, which is a common injury that can occur when the muscles in your leg are overworked or stretched beyond their capacity. Its also possible that you have a pinched nerve, which occurs when the nerve is compressed or irritated. If the pain is severe, it could be a sign of a more serious condition, such as a blood clot. If youre experiencing leg pain, its important to see a doctor so they can determine the cause and provide the appropriate treatment.
Leg pain can affect a wide range of areas or only a small area of the leg. It can be a contributor to other chronic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and gout. Examine our Symptom Checker for any signs that you require medical attention for your leg pain. Most times, it is possible to treat sore or aching legs at home, but if pain persists, severe pain, or sudden onset, it may necessitate medical attention. If you experience any of the symptoms listed above, such as a fever, calf pain after a long journey, or any other symptoms that are inexplicable, contact your doctor as soon as possible.
Also Check: What To Do About Runner’s Knee
How Do I Fix The Pain Behind My Knee
There are a few things that could be causing the pain behind your knee. It could be a muscle strain, a ligament injury, or even arthritis. The best way to figure out what is causing the pain and how to fix it, is to see a doctor. They will be able to take a look at the area and figure out what is causing the pain and the best way to treat it.
The pain in the back of a persons knee, also known as posterior knee pain, is frequently accompanied by swelling. This type of pain can be caused by a variety of factors, and it can occur suddenly or over time. Adults are most prone to receiving pain behind the knee as a result of walking, standing, bending, and lifting for extended periods of time. It is possible to build muscle and alleviate knee pain by performing certain exercises in your back. If you have chronic pain, you may be asked by your doctor to make lifestyle changes. Maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding activities such as running, or putting too much pressure on the knees should all be done. Medication can also include medications that are over-the-counter or more powerful . There is a chance that complications and side effects will occur as a result of some treatments. Make sure that any medications you take to relieve back pain are not complication of any of the medications you may be taking.
Why Is The Back Of My Knee Swollen

Generally, swelling at the back of the knee is due to a Bakers cyst. However, Bakers cysts are not usually painful. If you experience severe pain and swelling behind the knee, then you must see your doctor. Sometimes, large Bakers cysts can become painful. Other causes include DVT or popliteal aneurysms.
Dont Miss: Bleach Dark Knees
Also Check: Why Wont My Knee Injury Heal
Why Does My Knee Hurt
Anterior knee pain, or pain near the front of the knee, is one of the most common types of knee pain in teens and athletes of all ages. For young athletes this is no exception, and there are some unique causes to know about. One thing that all of these causes of anterior knee pain have in common is that they are usually OVERUSE INJURIES and can be treated and prevented without surgery.
Lack Of Sleep Makes Pain Worse
It can be easy to get stuck in a cycle where you cant sleep because of knee pain. That lack of sleep can actually make your pain worse. Sleep is vital for healing and rejuvenation. Without sleep, you have less energy to expend on healing as you need to focus your bodily processes on staying alert and awake.If nighttime knee pain causes you to toss and turn, you may end up accidentally further straining your knee by sleeping in an uncomfortable position.
You May Like: What To Take For Knee Joints
Why Do My Knee Joints Hurt At Night But Not During The Day
Your knee joints hurt at night but not during the day likely because youre less distracted, thus paying more attention to how your knee feels. But it can also happen because of an underlying problem or injury.
If this doesnt subside after a few days, get it checked by a doctor or physical therapist.
What You Need To Know
- The most common causes of knee pain are related to aging, injury or repeated stress on the knee.
- Common knee problems include sprained or strained ligaments, cartilage tears, tendonitis and arthritis.
- Diagnosing a knee injury or problem includes a medical examination and usually the use of a diagnostic procedure such as an x-ray, MRI, CT scan or arthroscopy.
- Both non-operative and surgical treatment options are available to treat knee pain and problems depending on the type and severity of the condition.
Read Also: What To Wear To Hospital For Knee Surgery
How Is Knee Pain In Teens Diagnosed
Your healthcare provider will ask about your teens knee pain:
- Is there a known cause for the knee pain does it happen with certain movements or is there no specific known event?
- How long has the pain been present?
- Where on or around your knee do you feel pain?
- Does the pain wake you up at night?
Your provider will perform a physical exam, checking:
- Kneecap and knee stability.
- Alignment of lower leg, kneecap and thigh.
- Range of motion of hips and knees.
- Thigh muscle strength, flexibility, firmness.
Your provider may order imaging tests including X-rays or a CT scan or MRI .
What Is Causing My Inner Knee Pain
Let’s have a look at the common symptoms associated with medial knee pain and what they typically indicate:
Pain On Inside Of Knee No Swelling: If there is no swelling with your medial knee pain, it is likely only a minor injury such as a small cartilage tear or a grade 1 sprain of the MCL.
Inner Knee Pain Running: Knee pain medial side during or after running is most typically caused by a cartilage tear or Runners Knee.
Inner Knee Pain When Straightening Leg:Pes Anserine Bursitis is the main culprit here as the bursa can easily get squashed when straightening the knee.
Medial Knee Pain With Flexion: Most medial knee pain gets worse with knee flexion, especially when weight bearing through the leg. If it’s worse when standing, it may indicate an MCL tear or meniscus tear. If it happens when you are sitting or bending the knee, it may be pes anserine bursitis or plica syndrome.
Anterior Medial Knee Pain: If your inner knee pain is coming round to the front of the knee, it may actually be a problem with the knee cap or Runners Knee rather than one of the structures on the inner knee.
Medial Knee Pain When Sitting Cross Legged: Pain in the inner side of knee when sitting cross legged is most likely due to a meniscus tear as this position places extra stress on the cartilage.
Medial Knee Injuries: The most common medial knee injuries are MCL tears and medial meniscus tears, which often both happen at the same time as a result of awkward twisting or sporting injuries.
Read Also: Knee High Boots With Socks
Treatments For Knee Pain On The Left Or Right Side
We will not leave you feeling panicked and scared after reading about knee pains numerous causes and risk factors. You do not have to run to another site to check out the treatments you can get to combat any knee complication that you might have.
We have enlisted some of the best treatments available in all healthcare centers worldwide to help you alleviate knee pain. Though, you need to keep in mind that the cure for each type of knee pain is different, so you need to go to the doctor and have a consult before implying one of these treatments in your daily life.
To get information about some treatments available worldwide to eradicate or at least minimize knee pain, continue reading this article!
1. Medications
For unthreatening knee pains that can cause exhaustion or have another mundane reason, the doctor might prescribe you one or more medications you must take for the specified time. Drugs are also given in case of arthritis.
2. Therapy
If the medications alone do not suffice or you have a severe injury to the knee, the doctor might suggest sessions with a physical therapist. The therapist will help you gain back mobility in your legs which will help to lessen the pain. Usually, a physical therapist assigns you several exercises under his surveillance to help you strengthen your muscles.
You might think that since you work out and carry out several physical activities, you might now need physical therapy. WRONG!
3. Surgery
4. Injections
Practice Good Sleep Hygiene

While pain can disrupt your sleep, you can promote a more restful night when you include these sleep hygiene strategies into your daily routine:
- Avoid taking long naps during the day.
- Make your bedroom cool and dark.
- Avoid eating heavy foods or exercising right before you sleep.
- Talk to your healthcare provider about taking melatonin supplements or other sleep aids.
- Dont use phones or computers before bed since the blue light from the screen can disrupt sleep.
- Use a pillow and supportive mattress to avoid straining your back or your knees.
Don’t Miss: How To Make Knees Stronger
What Causes The Pain
Knee pain can be caused by a variety of issues, from injury to tendonitis to bursitis . But the primary cause of knee pain, according to Dr. Stearns, is usually a form of arthritis.
People with normal, healthy knees usually dont get pain at night, he says. Theres typically a reason, and its often because they have arthritis, commonly osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis is mechanical in nature, caused by wear-and-tear on the joints as well as the cartilage and tendons associated with the joints. This sets the condition apart from rheumatoid arthritis which is inflammation of the joints, typically caused by an overactive immune system.
While osteoarthritis is typically seen in older patients, it can occur in younger patients, too, particularly those who are prone to overuse of certain joints or suffered significant injuries like ligament tears.
Is Surgery Ever Needed For Anterior Knee Pain
In some cases of patella instability, where the kneecap dislocates often we need to consider surgery to reconstruct the ligament which holds the patella in place.
In cases of severe arthritis of the patella, we occasionally need to consider a joint replacement if you do not respond to a compression sleeve, injections, activity modification, and physical therapy.
Patella tendonitis or a jumpers knee will usually respond to activity modification and physical therapy. It is not unusual for your recovery to take up to 6-8 months. If the pain remains severe, there has been a recent interest in trying PRP injections to regenerate the patella tendon. It is still controversial whether or not PRP injections are useful. Surgery, although rarely needed, can be very useful in severe cases of a jumpers knee.
Also Check: Is It Possible To Regenerate Knee Cartilage
When Should You Go To The Doctor
Knee injuries are prevalent, and you do not need to see a doctor immediately after an accident. Try not to bend your leg, dont put pressure on it, and use an ice pack to reduce swelling. Rest for three days and do the following:
- Cover area with an elastic compression bandage
- Try walking with crutches for three days
- Ice the affected area three or four times a day for twenty minutes
- Do not bend your legs while sitting, and do not climb stairs
- Keep your knee slightly higher than your body when you sleep
- Take anti-inflammatory medications, such as Ibuprofen or Naproxen
However, if your pain does not decrease after three days and you have one or more of the following conditions, see your doctor.
- Severe pain and numbness in the legs even when there is no weight on it
- Swelling, redness, and deformity of the affected area
- Fever and bluish discoloration in your calf
Also Check: Dcf Compression Knee Sleeve
What Are Some Common Knee Problems
Many knee problems are a result of the aging process and continual wear and stress on the knee joint . Other knee problems are a result of an injury or a sudden movement that strains the knee. Common knee problems include the following:
ACL Tears in Female Athletes: Q& A with a Sports Medicine Expert
Sports injury prevention isnt a one-stop shop, especially for injuries like ACL tears, which are four to eight times more common among women than men. Discover ways for women to help prevent this common injury.
Read Also: What Causes Arthritis In Your Knees
Five Common Reasons For Inside Knee Pain
Pain on the inside of the knee can happen to anyone, whether youre a runner, footballer or casual gym-goer. Today, Bodyset Senior MSK Physiotherapist, Matt looks in detail at five of the most common causes of medial knee pain. He also shares tips on how to avoid a knee injury and what to do if you it happens to you.
Medial collateral ligament strain
The MCL is one of the four major ligaments of the knee. The others are the ACL , PCL and LCL . The role of these ligaments is to maintain the stability of the knee joint and prevent forces from moving the thigh and shin bones apart. The MCL runs vertically along the inside of the knee from the thigh bone , across the knee joint to the shin bone . Ligament injuries often occur due to an obvious mechanism of injury, such as a twist or a force hitting the outside of the knee . Dependent on the severity of the injury, there may be swelling, bruising and pain on the inside of the knee. You may also experience difficulty walking and a feeling of instability in the knee.
Medial meniscus injury
What can you do to reduce knee pain?
What can we do to help?
Need some support?
If you are in pain and would like to consult a physiotherapist, book in for a 45-minute assessment. Call 033 0333 0435 or book online below.
What Does A Knee Injury Feel Like
Obviously, it hurts! But the type of pain and where you feel it can vary, depending on what the problem is. You may have:
- Pain, usually when you bend or straighten the knee
- Trouble putting weight on the knee
- Problems moving your knee
- Knee buckling or âlockingâ
If you have these symptoms, see your doctor. They will check your knee. You may also need X-rays or an MRI to see more detail of the joint.
You May Like: How Successful Is Arthroscopic Knee Surgery
When Will My Knee Feel Better
The recovery time depends on your injury. Also, some people naturally heal faster than others.
While you get better, ask your doctor if you can do an activity that won’t aggravate your knee pain. For instance, runners could try swimming or other types of lower-impact cardio.
Whatever you do, don’t rush things. Donât try to return to your regular level of physical activity until you notice these signs:
- You feel no pain in your knee when you bend or straighten it.
- You feel no pain in your knee when you walk, jog, sprint, or jump.
- Your injured knee feels as strong as the other knee.
What Is Causing The Pain On The Side Of My Knee

Knee pain is increasingly becoming a very common ailment in todays fast-paced and demanding living conditions. The knees support our entire body weight, and due to their complex structure and mechanics, they are prone to a number of ailments and injuries.
Pain or swelling in the knees can cause great discomfort, and can totally disrupt ones day-to-day activities. Side knee pain can result from a variety of reasons, depending upon the individuals age, lifestyle, and activity factors.
Also Check: How To Crack Your Knee