Injuries/Conditions
Common causes for knee pain include meniscal, cartilage, chondral or ligament injuries. Trauma and everyday wear and tear can also lead to knee pain, as can age, activity and genetics.
The best way to determine the cause of knee pain is through careful review of patient history and examination by a physician. Additional tests that can aide in the diagnosis of your condition include X-rays and possibly an MRI scan.
X-rays help physicians examine the bony structures around the knee, while an MRI enables physicians to study the soft tissues like ligaments and cartilage inside the knee.
Because ligaments and muscles allow for knee motion and stability, a tear in the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), for example, can cause instability and knee pain. Overview of ACL Injury
Unstable knee motion can then lead to future damage like torn menisci, or damaged cartilage.
Arthritis, or inflammation of the knee, is a common source of knee pain, often resulting from either a direct cartilage injury or the gradual wearing down of the cartilage surface.
It is important to have persistent knee pain or instability evaluated. Once the knee problem is identified, you have several non-surgical and surgical options from which to choose.
