Common Causes

Arthritis

Meniscus and ligament injuries.

Chondromalacia Patella.

Osgood Schlatter disease (Sports Injury)

Pre-Patellar Bursitis.

Less Common Causes

Popliteal Tendinitis

Semimembranous Bursitis

Quadriceps Tendinitis

Pes anserine Bursitis/Tendinitis

Referred pain due to hip disorders

Infection of the knee Joint

Introduction

Knee pain often causes instability while walking; it can also lead to inability to walk, as it is a weight-bearing joint. Overweight individuals are more prone to it as compared to their undernourished counterparts. Overall, incidence of knee pain is higher amongst women as compared with men.

It is definitely true that knee pain does respond to conservative measures, at times simple measures like hot fomentation, regular exercise, changes in the dietary pattern and weight reduction can give marked relief from pain. Other supportive measures include pain relievers (NSAIDS), knee braces etc. In people whom the pain becomes intolerable and where conservative measures are not very effective, surgery in the form of Total Knee Replacement offers the best results. It significantly increases mobility and literally eradicates the pain.

Knee pain is usually sustained in games like foot ball or hockey or they may also occur in individuals when they twist the knee while walking or coming down the stairs. The diagnosis is arrived at by careful history and detailed examination. Treatment generally consists of arthroscopic surgery.

Information about Knee Care

Causes of Knee Pain in Children

Discoid Meniscus

Discoid meniscus is a congenital condition in which the semilunar cartilage remains like a disc. This condition cases loud noise on bending and straightening the knee. Treatment is usually surgical

Osgood Schlatter Disease

Osgood schlatter disease is a condition in which, due to excessive pull of the thigh muscle (Quadriceps), the tuberosity of the upper tibia gets pulled and may get fragmented, giving rise to pain. Treatment usually consists of decrease in the level of activity, pain relieving medication and physiotherapy in form of diathermy or ultrasonic rays. Some children may require a brace. Rarely surgery may be needed.

Bipartite Patella

Normally kneecap or patella develops from a single centre of ossification. Rarely it may develop from two separate centres. It is the tissue between two separate centres, which may get repeated pulls due to activity and become painful. Treatment usually consists of decrease in the level of activity, pain relieving medication and physiotherapy in form of diathermy or ultrasonic rays.

Patellar Tendinitis

Cause and treatment similar to Osgood Schlatter disease.

Meniscus Tear