Knee Pain
Knee pain can make everyday moves like walking, climbing stairs, kneeling or getting out of a chair feel hard. It may be a dull ache from arthritis, a sharp pain after a twist, or stiffness that won’t ease. At MVM Health, our pain specialists find what is causing your knee pain and focus on non-surgical treatment that helps you stay active, whether or not you are planning a knee replacement. Unsure about surgery? Ask us for a second opinion.
Book a visit with a pain specialist near you at one of our clinics in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio and Arizona.
Meet Our Expert Team
Board Certified Expert
At MVM Health — Movement. Vitality. Medicine. — we are committed to providing exceptional pain, vein, and wellness services that empower individuals to reclaim their health and well-being. With our team of Harvard-trained experts, we strive to deliver transformative outcomes that restore comfort, confidence, and quality of life. MVM Health’s mission is to help every patient relieve discomfort, restore motion, and renew life.
Vwaire Orhurhu, MD, MPH
Harvard Medical School
Mariam Salisu, MD, MPH
Harvard Medical School
Peter Isaac, DO
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Ali Amin, MD
Baylor College of Medicine
THOMAS KHOURY, MD
Harvard Medical School
ANTHONY TURNER, MD
Yale School of Medicine
KIRAN C. TAMIRISA
Baylor College of Medicine
TARIQ ALFARRA, DO
JOHNS HOPKINS HOSPITAL
Rishi Sheth, MD
University of Miami School of Medicine
Henry Onyeaka, MD, MPH
Harvard Medical School
Felicia Todd, CNP
Moravian College
Carrie Ward, CNP
Franklin University
Kruti Solanki, CNP
Drexel University
Christy Daniels, CNP
Chamberlain University
Heerina Kittel, CNP
Maryville University
Vic Urbano, CNP
Walden University
Jameela Azeem, CNP
Hofstra University
Vwaire Orhurhu, MD, MPH
Harvard Medical School
Mariam Salisu, MD, MPH
Harvard Medical School
Peter Isaac, DO
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Ali Amin, MD
Baylor College of Medicine
THOMAS KHOURY, MD
Harvard Medical School
ANTHONY TURNER, MD
Yale School of Medicine
KIRAN C. TAMIRISA
Baylor College of Medicine
Rishi Seth, MD
University of Miami School of Medicine
Henry Onyeaka, MD, MPH
Harvard Medical School
Felicia Todd, CNP
Moravian College
Vic Urbano, CNP
Walden University
Jameela Azeem, CNP
Hofstra University
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What Is Knee Pain?
Your knee is the largest joint in your body. It is where the thigh bone, shin bone and kneecap meet, cushioned by cartilage and the meniscus and held together by ligaments and tendons. Small nerves called genicular nerves carry pain signals from the joint to the brain. Knee pain can start in any of these structures.
Acute vs. chronic. Acute knee pain usually follows an injury, such as a twist, fall or sports strain, and often improves within a few weeks. Pain that lasts longer than three months is considered chronic and is most often linked to arthritis or long-term wear in the joint.
Joint pain vs. soft-tissue pain. Joint pain comes from worn cartilage or bone inside the knee and often feels deep and achy. Soft-tissue pain comes from tendons, ligaments or bursae around the knee and is usually felt in one specific spot.
Where Is Your Knee Pain?
Where you feel the pain gives important clues about what is causing it.
Front of the knee
Pain around or behind the kneecap often gets worse with stairs, squatting or sitting with bent knees. It is common with patellofemoral pain, kneecap arthritis and patellar tendinitis.
Inside of the knee
Pain on the inner side is often linked to osteoarthritis, a medial meniscus tear, a strained inner ligament (MCL) or pes anserine bursitis.
Outside of the knee
Pain on the outer side may come from IT band syndrome, a lateral meniscus tear or a strained outer ligament (LCL). Runners and cyclists often feel pain here.
Back of the knee
Pain behind the knee may come from a Baker’s cyst, a hamstring strain or a meniscus tear. Back pain like sciatica can also travel here. Calf swelling with pain needs urgent care.
Common Causes of Knee Pain
Knee osteoarthritis
The cartilage that cushions the joint slowly wears down, causing aching, stiffness and swelling. It is the most common cause of chronic knee pain after 50. Read the AAOS patient guide to knee osteoarthritis.
Rheumatoid and inflammatory arthritis
The immune system attacks the joint lining, often in both knees, causing warmth, swelling and morning stiffness.
Meniscus tear
A twist or squat can tear the rubbery cartilage between the bones. It may cause catching, locking or swelling.
Ligament injuries
Sudden stops, pivots or blows to the knee can sprain or tear ligaments such as the ACL or MCL, often with a pop and instability.
Tendinitis
Overuse can inflame the tendons above or below the kneecap, causing pain with jumping, running or stairs. Stubborn cases may be eased with tendon injections.
Bursitis
Small fluid-filled sacs around the knee can become inflamed from kneeling, pressure or injury, causing local swelling and tenderness. A bursa injection can calm the inflammation.
Patellofemoral pain syndrome
Irritation where the kneecap glides over the thigh bone causes pain at the front of the knee, especially with stairs and squatting.
Pain after knee replacement
Some people still have ongoing pain after knee replacement surgery. A pain specialist can look for the source and offer nerve-targeted options such as genicular RFA.
Risk Factors
Anyone can develop knee pain, but it is more likely if you:
- Are over age 50, when knee cartilage naturally begins to wear
- Carry extra body weight, which adds load to your knees with every step
- Have had a past knee injury, meniscus tear or knee surgery
- Play sports with jumping, pivoting or sudden stops
- Do work that involves kneeling, squatting or heavy lifting
- Have weak thigh and hip muscles or tight hamstrings
- Have a family history of arthritis
- Have uneven leg alignment, such as knock knees or bow legs
Symptoms of Knee Pain
- Aching, sharp or burning pain in or around the knee
- Pain that gets worse when walking, climbing stairs, squatting or kneeling
- Stiffness, especially in the morning or after sitting for a while
- Swelling, warmth or redness around the joint
- A grinding, clicking or popping feeling when you move
- Catching or locking, as if something is stuck in the joint
- The knee feeling weak or giving way
- Trouble fully bending or straightening your leg
When Knee Pain Needs Urgent Care
Most knee pain isn’t an emergency. Get urgent medical care if your knee pain comes with:
- A loud pop at the time of injury followed by fast swelling
- Being unable to put weight on your leg
- A knee that looks deformed or out of place
- Fever with a red, hot and swollen knee, which can signal a joint infection
- Sudden swelling, pain or redness in the calf, which can signal a blood clot
- Numbness, coldness or color change in the lower leg or foot
These signs can point to a fracture, dislocation, infection, blood clot or another condition that needs prompt attention.
How Knee Pain Is Diagnosed
The right treatment depends on finding the exact source of your knee pain. Our specialists work through it step by step.
- History and exam. We ask where it hurts, when it started and what makes it worse, then check your knee’s swelling, range of motion, stability and tender spots.
- Imaging. X-rays show arthritis and bone changes. An MRI or ultrasound may be used to look at the meniscus, ligaments, tendons and bursae.
- Lab tests or joint fluid when needed. If infection, gout or inflammatory arthritis is possible, blood tests or a sample of joint fluid can help confirm it.
- Diagnostic genicular nerve block. Numbing medicine is placed near the genicular nerves around the knee. If your pain clearly eases, it confirms these nerves are carrying the pain and shows whether genicular RFA is likely to help.
Knee Pain Treatment Options
Knee pain treatment starts with the least invasive options and steps up only when needed. Many people with knee pain, including arthritis, can find relief without surgery or delay a knee replacement.
Conservative care
Physical therapy, strengthening the thigh and hip muscles, activity changes and medication guidance are usually the first steps. They take pressure off the joint and improve how the knee moves.
A steroid injection calms inflammation and can ease arthritis pain for weeks to months. Hyaluronic acid (gel) injections add lubrication to the joint and may help some people with knee osteoarthritis.
Numbing medicine is placed near the genicular nerves that carry pain from the knee. It can give short-term relief and, if your pain eases, shows that genicular RFA is likely to help.
After a successful genicular nerve block, controlled heat quiets those nerves so they stop sending pain signals. Relief often lasts many months, even after knee replacement.
Platelets from your own blood may support healing in some knee arthritis and tendon conditions. Your provider will tell you whether it’s a reasonable option for you.
An unloader or support brace can shift pressure away from the worn part of the joint and help the knee feel more stable during daily activities.
Your provider recommends treatment based on the source of your pain, your health and your goals. Results vary from person to person.
Knee Pain or Knee Arthritis: What’s the Difference?
People often use the terms interchangeably. Knee pain is a symptom that can come from many sources, including the meniscus, ligaments, tendons, bursae or the nerves around the joint. Knee arthritis is a diagnosis that means the cartilage inside the joint is wearing down or inflamed, and it is the most common cause of chronic knee pain in adults over 50. Knowing the exact source of your pain helps your specialist choose the right treatment, from injections to genicular RFA.
FIND A KNEE PAIN SPECIALIST NEAR YOU
Knee pain making it difficult to walk, climb stairs, or enjoy daily activities? At MVM Health, our pain specialists evaluate the underlying cause of your discomfort and discuss personalized, non-surgical knee pain treatment options. Visit one of our clinics in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio, or Arizona to explore your next steps.
Easing Knee Pain at Home
For mild knee pain without warning signs, these steps can help while you heal or wait for your appointment.
If there’s no real improvement after about two weeks, let a specialist take a closer look.
Stay gently active. Walking, cycling and swimming keep the joint moving without heavy impact. Avoid long periods of rest, which can make stiffness worse.
Use ice or heat. Ice can calm swelling after activity or a new injury. Heat can loosen a stiff, arthritic knee before you move.
Strengthen the muscles around your knee. Strong thigh and hip muscles take pressure off the joint. Simple moves like straight-leg raises and wall sits can help; stop if they increase your pain.
Choose supportive shoes. Cushioned, well-fitting shoes reduce the impact on your knees. Avoid high heels and worn-out soles.
Try over-the-counter relief carefully. Pain relievers and topical creams may help for a short time. Follow the label and check with a pharmacist if you take other medicines.
Keep a healthy weight. Every extra pound adds load to your knees with each step. For some patients, a provider-guided medical weight loss program becomes part of their plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
In adults over 50, knee osteoarthritis is the most common cause of ongoing knee pain. In younger, active people, injuries such as meniscus tears, ligament sprains and tendinitis are more common.
See a doctor right away if you can’t put weight on your leg, your knee looks deformed, or it is red, hot and swollen with a fever. Pain that lasts more than a few weeks or keeps coming back is also worth having checked.
Bending puts extra pressure on the cartilage, meniscus and kneecap. Pain with bending is common with arthritis, a meniscus tear and patellofemoral pain.
Pain behind the knee may come from a Baker’s cyst, a tendon strain or a meniscus tear. If it comes with calf swelling, warmth or redness, seek urgent care to rule out a blood clot.
Arthritis pain often feels worse after a day of activity or when the joint stiffens at rest. Nighttime pain that wakes you up regularly is worth having evaluated.
For most people with knee arthritis, regular walking helps by keeping the joint moving and the muscles strong. Start with short walks on flat ground and stop if pain becomes sharp or swelling increases.
Yes. Most knee pain is treated without surgery using physical therapy, weight management, knee injections, bracing, genicular nerve blocks and genicular radiofrequency ablation.
It is an injection of numbing medicine near the genicular nerves that carry pain signals from the knee. It can ease pain for a short time and shows whether genicular RFA is likely to give longer relief.
Relief from genicular radiofrequency ablation often lasts many months and can last a year or longer. The nerves slowly regrow, so the treatment can be repeated if pain returns.
Most providers limit steroid knee injections to about three or four a year in the same knee, spaced several months apart. Your provider will decide what is safe for you.
They work differently. Steroid injections calm inflammation and often work faster. Gel (hyaluronic acid) injections add lubrication and may last longer for some people with osteoarthritis. Your provider can help you choose.
MVM Health has pain clinics in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio and Arizona. Request an appointment online or call your nearest clinic, and our team will check your insurance and confirm a time for your knee pain evaluation.
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