Knee pain is a common musculoskeletal complaint that can affect people of all ages. It can result in discomfort, tenderness, or swelling experienced in or around the knee joint, often caused by knee injury, overuse, or degenerative conditions. It may be mild or severe and can interfere with movement and quality of life. Knee pain is a frequent cause of mobility issues and if left untreated, can lead to chronic joint problems.
Various conditions, such as muscular strain, tendinopathy, or arthritis, can cause knee pain. Athletes who participate in sports that require jumping or quick pivots are at higher risk of developing knee pain due to common knee injuries.
If your knee pain is persistent or worsening, rest assured that it is completely manageable and treatable, whether caused by aging, overuse, or trauma. To alleviate discomfort, it helps to understand the common causes of knee pain and explore suitable treatment options. Seeking consultation with a qualified orthopaedic surgeon or knee specialist in Singapore allows for accurate diagnosis and targeted therapy to restore movement and comfort.
Speaking with a senior consultant orthopaedic surgeon at Hip & Knee Orthopaedics lets you explore both surgical and non-surgical treatments to reduce pain, strengthen muscles, and facilitate recovery. This will enable you to return to daily activities such as walking, climbing stairs, and exercising comfortably.
Symptoms of Knee Pain
Recognising the symptoms of knee pain early can help prevent worsening of the condition. Some of the most common signs include:
- Swelling and inflammation around the knee
- Tenderness, redness, or warmth at the joint
- Clicking or popping sensations when bending or straightening the leg
- Stiffness or reduced range of motion
- Weakness or instability that causes the knee to give way
- Sharp or dull pain during activities such as climbing stairs, squatting, or running
- Pain that worsens after prolonged sitting or standing
If your knee pain includes these symptoms or affects your ability to move comfortably, it is advisable to seek medical evaluation by a knee specialist.
Knee Pain Causes: Aging or Injury?
The causes and treatment of knee pain are interdependent. This means they can only be effectively treated by identifying the underlying cause. Key factors that contribute to knee pain include:
Knee Pain Risk Factors
Excess Body Weight
Being overweight places excessive strain on your knee joints. Putting weight on the knee hastens the degeneration of joint cartilage, increasing the risk of osteoarthritis, often leading to severe pain.
Loose Body
Occasionally, a fragment of bone or cartilage may break off and float within the joint space due to damage or deterioration. This might not be a problem unless the loose body restricts the movement of the knee joint, in which case the result is similar to a pencil stuck in a door hinge.
Iliotibial Band Syndrome
This happens when the iliotibial band, a tight band of tissue running from the outside of the hip to the outside of the knee, rubs against the outer surface of the thigh bone. Iliotibial band syndrome is more common in cyclists and distance runners.
Knee Cap Not Tracking Well (Patella Maltracking)
This occurs when the patella (kneecap), a triangular bone covering the front of the knee, slides out of position, usually towards the outside of the knee. The misalignment increases friction, leading to inflammation and knee pain around the knee.
Lack of Muscle Flexibility or Strength
A lack of strength and flexibility can increase the risk of knee injuries. On the other hand, strong muscles stabilise and protect the joints, while flexible muscles allow for a full range of motion.
Hip or Foot Pain
If you experience foot or hip pain, you may unconsciously alter your gait to relieve pressure on the affected joint. However, this change in walking pattern can place extra stress on your knees, potentially leading to discomfort.
Certain Sports or Occupations
Certain sports put more strain on your knees than others. Activities such as contact sports, for example basketball, which involves jumps and pivots, as well as court games with sudden stops and running, all increase your risk of knee injuries. Occupations like construction and farming involving repetitive strain on the knees can also heighten the likelihood of knee pain.
Knee Pain Due to Injuries
Injuries are among the most frequent causes of knee pain, acting as a signal that the joint requires a knee evaluation and treatment.
Fractures
In any accident, the bones in the knee can break, particularly the patella (kneecap). Patients with osteoporosis may also experience a knee fracture from something as simple as a misstep.
Meniscus Tear
Between your shinbone and thighbone is a firm, rubbery cartilage called the meniscus which serves as a shock absorber. It may tear if you suddenly twist your knee while bearing weight on it, causing pain. In some cases, a torn meniscus may become lodged in the knee, leading to a sensation of locking. Meniscus injuries are common in sports that involve twisting and turning, like skiing.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injury
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) can tear, also particularly in people who participate in sports that require quick changes in direction. Those with an ACL injury often report hearing a ‘pop’ sound followed by pain and swelling. Most times they are unable to continue the activity. Even after the initial pain and swelling subside, patients may continue to feel that the knee is loose or unstable.
Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) Injury
The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) forms part of knee ligament injuries, affecting the back of the knee rather than the front. Like ACL injuries, PCL tears occur due to severe knee trauma, but because the PCL is more resistant to force, injuries are less common. Thus, PCL injuries are considered more complex to evaluate.
Knee Bursitis
The bursae are small sacs of fluid that cushion the outside of your knee joint, allowing tendons and ligaments to move easily across the joint. These bursae can become inflamed due to various knee injuries, with inflammation often brought on by repeated pressure, such as protracted kneeling, overuse or injury. Symptoms of knee bursitis include swelling and sometimes pain.
Patellar Tendinitis
The thick fibres that connect muscles to bones through tendons can become irritated and inflamed due to tendinitis. The patellar tendon, which connects the kneecap (patella) to the shinbone and allows you to run, jump and kick, is susceptible to injury and irritation. Patellar tendinitis is common in runners, skiers, bikers, and individuals who participate in jumping sports and activities.
Any Previous Injury
A prior injury can weaken knee structures, increasing the likelihood of re-injury.
Knee Pain Due to Other Medical Conditions
You might suffer knee pain due to other medical conditions, such as:
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory type of arthritis and an autoimmune disorder that can damage almost any joint, including the knees. If you have rheumatoid arthritis, you may experience knee pain, as well as joint damage in other areas of the body, such as the wrists and hands.
Gout
Gout is a type of arthritis that occurs when too much uric acid builds up in the body. If the body produces too much uric acid or the kidneys are unable to remove it from the blood effectively, it can accumulate and form crystals in the joints, leading to gout. Gout most commonly affects the joint at the base of the big toe, but it can also affect other joints, such as the ankles, knees and wrists. It causes sudden, severe attacks of pain, swelling, redness and warmth in the affected joint. Gout can be managed with medication and lifestyle changes, such as avoiding certain foods and drinks and maintaining a healthy weight.
Osgood-Schlatter’s Disease
Osgood-Schlatter disease is a common knee condition in adolescents, especially during periods of growth. It occurs when the patellar tendon, which connects the kneecap (patella) to the shinbone (tibia), becomes inflamed and pulls on the growth plate at the top of the tibia. This can cause pain, swelling and tenderness around the kneecap. The condition is more common in boys than girls and is typically seen in active adolescents who participate in sports involving running, jumping and kneeling. It usually resolves on its own with rest and physical therapy.
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
Those who suffer from patellofemoral pain syndrome often experience pain in or around the kneecap. The pain typically can be felt at the front of the knee and develops gradually. The most common activities that trigger pain include climbing stairs, running, squatting, cycling, and sitting with bent knees. Treatment often involves methods for knee pain relief and improving function, like pain relievers, switching to low-impact activities and ice therapy.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the leading cause of chronic knee pain, especially in older adults. As a degenerative joint disease, it is often referred to as degenerative arthritis. It develops when your knee cartilage ages and deteriorates from wear and tear. Severe pain and limited mobility may be experienced with severe osteoarthritis, which wears away much of the joint. In advanced cases of osteoarthritis, a total knee replacement may be recommended by an orthopaedic surgeon.
Baker Cyst
A fluid-filled swelling behind the knee is known as a Baker Cyst. It can develop as a result of swelling or inflammation from other conditions, such as arthritis.
Pseudogout
Pseudogout is caused by the formation of calcium-containing crystals in the synovial fluid. The knees are the joints most commonly affected by pseudogout.
Septic Arthritis
Your knee joint may occasionally become infected, inducing swelling, pain and redness. When septic arthritis first develops, a fever is often present, and there is typically no prior injury. Septic arthritis can cause rapid and severe damage to the knee cartilage. It results in intense knee pain and requires urgent medical attention.
Infection
Infection in the bones or knee joint can also cause knee pain.
Treatment for Knee Pain
Knee pain can be effectively treated with advanced medical techniques. Your doctor will assess whether your current activities are contributing to the condition. Conservative measures include weight reduction, activity modification, and the use of assistive devices to offload the affected knee. A thorough discussion and physical examination with a doctor who understands your knee pain will help you understand the current state of your knee, the cause of knee pain, contributing factors, and provide an opportunity for you to ask any questions.
Other treatment options include:
Medications for Knee Pain
Drugs help with reducing pain during treatment and during the recovery process.
Physiotherapy for Knee Pain
Depending on the cause and location of your knee discomfort, physiotherapy can help relieve pain. A physiotherapist can provide guidance that is specific to your circumstances. Your knee will become more stable if the muscles surrounding it are strengthened; physiotherapy can be beneficial for both tendon injuries and bone injuries.
Injections for Knee Pain
In certain circumstances, the doctor might recommend injecting medications or other substances directly into your joint, such as:
- Corticosteroids
- Hyaluronic acid
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP)
Surgery for Knee Pain
You may need to opt for knee surgery if you are experiencing severe knee problems, such as an ACL tear. Delaying treatment in such cases can worsen the condition and cause further damage to the knee. The following are types of surgery that doctors might recommend, ranging from minimally invasive procedures like arthroscopic surgery to more complex options like joint replacement surgery.
- Arthroscopic surgery
- Partial knee replacement surgery
- Total knee replacement
- Osteotomy
A senior consultant orthopaedic surgeon will explain indications, benefits, and risks for each option.
Frequently Asked Questions
What usually causes knee pain?
Arthritis, ligament injuries, meniscus tears, tendinitis, bursitis, fractures, and overuse during activities such as running or kneeling are frequent causes.
What are the red flags that need urgent care?
High fever with a hot swollen knee, inability to bear weight, a locked knee, or sudden severe joint pain after injury require immediate assessment.
Which tests are used to diagnose knee problems?
Clinical examination, X-rays for bone and alignment, and MRI for cartilage, ligaments, and meniscus; blood tests may be used for conditions like gout or infection.
Are there non-surgical treatments that help?
Activity modification, weight optimisation, targeted physiotherapy, oral or topical anti-inflammatories, bracing, and injections such as corticosteroids, hyaluronic acid, or PRP are more conservative treatment options.
What are the risks of delaying treatment?
Ongoing stress on damaged structures can worsen cartilage wear, stiffness, and instability, prolonging recovery time.
Why does knee pain occur more frequently with age?
Aging leads to gradual cartilage wear, reduced joint lubrication, and weaker supporting muscles. These changes make older adults more prone to conditions like osteoarthritis, one of the most common causes of knee pain.
What do different specialists do?
A knee specialist or orthopaedic surgeon evaluates and treats knee pathology; a physiotherapist delivers rehabilitation; a rheumatologist manages inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or gout. All work together to provide a comprehensive approach to diagnosing, managing, and improving knee health.
Why do some people require total knee replacement surgery?
When joint cartilage is severely damaged from osteoarthritis or trauma and conservative methods fail, a total knee replacement helps relieve pain, restore alignment, and improve daily activity.
What are the recovery timelines after surgery?
Arthroscopy often takes weeks for recovery; ligament reconstructions take months; total knee replacement typically requires several months of rehabilitation.
Take Care of Your Knee
Knee Pain Treatment Singapore with Hip & Knee Orthopaedics
Understanding the causes of knee pain and the available treatments is essential, as is being mindful of how you move. Take care of your body by staying active and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Remember, nothing can replace good health.
If you’re experiencing knee pain or want to discuss your joint health, Hip & Knee Orthopaedics is just a call away. Contact our knee specialists to schedule an appointment and receive comprehensive, personalised care. Whether your goal is to manage pain, restore mobility, or prevent injuries, we are here to help. Our knee specialists in Singapore will work with you to create treatment options tailored to your needs.
This article was reviewed by Dr. Adrian Lau, Specialist Orthopaedic Surgeon at Hip & Knee Orthopaedics.
