Knee pain is one of the most common reasons people see a GP or a musculoskeletal practitioner, affecting everyone from teenage athletes to older adults. Some problems come on gradually with load, such as runner's knee or osteoarthritis, while others follow a twist or a fall. Most knee pain improves with the right advice, a well-planned exercise programme and sensible changes to activity.
Common knee conditions
Knee osteoarthritis (knee arthritis, wear and tear of the knee)
Knee osteoarthritis is a common long-term condition where the joint's cartilage, bone and surrounding tissues change, causing pain and stiffness, mainly with activity.
Read more→Patellofemoral pain (runner's knee, anterior knee pain)
Patellofemoral pain is pain around or behind the kneecap that is brought on by activities that load a bent knee, such as squatting, stairs, running and sitting for long periods.
Read more→Patellar tendinopathy (jumper's knee, patellar tendinitis)
Patellar tendinopathy is a painful, load-related problem of the tendon that joins the kneecap to the shin bone, felt just below the kneecap.
Read more→Meniscus tear (torn meniscus, meniscal tear)
A meniscus tear is damage to one of the two C-shaped pads of cartilage that cushion the knee joint.
Read more→ACL injury (anterior cruciate ligament tear, ACL rupture)
An ACL injury is a sprain or tear of the anterior cruciate ligament, a key ligament that stabilises the knee during twisting and changes of direction.
Read more→Iliotibial band syndrome (ITB syndrome, ITBS)
Iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS) is an overuse condition that causes pain on the outside of the knee, where the iliotibial band passes over the end of the thigh bone.
Read more→Osgood–Schlatter disease (Osgood-Schlatter, tibial tubercle apophysitis)
Osgood–Schlatter disease is a common cause of knee pain in active children and teenagers, felt at the bony bump just below the kneecap.
Read more→
Getting the right help
Not sure which of these fits? Our team can assess what is going on, explain it clearly and point you to the right care, including referral back to your GP where that is the better route.
Other areas
- Head and jaw pain
- Neck pain
- Shoulder pain
- Elbow pain
- Wrist and hand pain
- Upper back and chest wall pain
- Lower back pain
- Hip, groin and pelvic pain
- Shin and calf pain
- Ankle and foot pain
- Pain in pregnancy and after birth
- Aches and pains in children and young people
This page is general information, not a diagnosis. If you are worried about your symptoms, speak to your GP or call NHS 111.
