Pain on Inside of Knee When Bending and Straightening: What Could Be Wrong?
Your knees bend and straighten countless times each and every day. However, when that simple movement of the knee joint causes pain on the inside of your knee, everyday activities like walking, climbing stairs, getting out of a chair, or exercising can become uncomfortable.
There are several possible causes of pain on the inside of the knee including:
Medial meniscus injury
MCL sprain
Arthritis
Bursitis
Overuser
The location of the pain, how it began, and if there are other symptoms, like swelling, stiffness, clicking, or instability, can all help to figure out what happened.
While minor pain is sometimes reduced with rest, if you have sharp pain or pain that doesn't go away, it could be something more serious.
What Causes Pain on the Inside of the Knee (Medial Knee Pain)?
The inner part of the knee is referred to as the medial knee. There are a number of important structures located in this area. These include the medial collateral ligament (MCL), medial meniscus, tendons, and a fluid-filled bursa.
Common causes of pain include:
Medial meniscus injuries
MCL sprains
Osteoarthritis
Muscle or tendon irritation
Overuse injuries
Some conditions develop suddenly following an injury, while others gradually become noticeable after repeated activity or age-related changes within the joint. If you have inner knee pain when bending, you should always take it seriously and get to the root cause as soon as possible.
Could It Be a Medial Meniscus Tear?
The menisci are two pieces of cartilage inside each knee that help absorb shock and distribute weight across the joint.
The medial meniscus is located on the inner side of the knee. It can tear when the knee twists or rotates while bearing weight. Meniscus tears can also develop gradually as cartilage becomes more vulnerable to injury over time.
Symptoms may include pain along the joint line, swelling, stiffness, clicking, catching, or difficulty completely bending or straightening the knee.
If your knee locks or repeatedly catches during movement, have the joint evaluated.
Is an MCL Injury Causing Inner Knee Pain?
The medial collateral ligament, or MCL, runs along the inside of the knee and helps stabilize the joint.
An MCL sprain is usually a knee injury, and it commonly occurs when force pushes the knee inward, stretching or tearing the ligament. Sports injuries, falls, and accidents can all damage the MCL.
Pain and tenderness typically occur along the inner knee. Depending on the severity of the injury, you may also experience swelling, difficulty walking, severe pain, or a feeling that the knee is unstable.
Minor sprains may respond to conservative treatment, while more significant injuries should be evaluated to determine the extent of the damage.
Can Arthritis Cause Pain When Bending Your Knee?
Osteoarthritis is another possible cause of medial knee pain, particularly when symptoms develop gradually.
Healthy cartilage helps the bones within the knee move smoothly. Osteoarthritis involves changes to this cartilage and other structures within the joint.
Symptoms can include pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced range of motion. You may notice discomfort while climbing stairs, squatting, walking, or standing up after sitting.
Because several knee conditions can produce similar symptoms, an examination can help determine whether knee arthritis or another problem is responsible. Also, keep in mind that rheumatoid arthritis can also cause chronic knee pain.
What Is Pes Anserine Bursitis?
If your pain occurs slightly below the inside of the knee rather than directly along the joint, pes anserine bursitis may be a possibility.
A bursa is a small fluid-filled sac that helps reduce friction between tissues. The pes anserine bursa is located between the shin bone and tendons on the inner side of the knee.
When this area becomes irritated, you may experience tenderness and pain, particularly during physical activity or while climbing stairs. Overuse, repetitive stress, and certain biomechanical factors can contribute to the problem.
Can Overuse Make the Inside of Your Knee Hurt?
Not every painful knee involves a torn ligament or cartilage injury.
Suddenly increasing your running mileage, beginning a new workout, taking longer walks, or performing repetitive squats can irritate tissues around the knee, including the leg muscles, joints, tendons, and more.
Overuse pain often develops gradually and may improve when you reduce the aggravating activity. However, pain that repeatedly returns when you resume normal activities may indicate an underlying problem that deserves attention.
Why Does My Knee Hurt When I Straighten It?
Straightening your leg changes the position and tension of multiple structures within the knee. If a ligament, tendon, meniscus, or other structure is irritated, moving through a particular part of your range of motion may reproduce the pain.
Pay attention to when discomfort occurs. Does it hurt only when the knee is completely straight? Does something click or catch? Is the pain worse when bending deeply? Do you feel it more around the thigh bone or the shin bone?
These details can help a healthcare professional narrow down potential causes. They can also advise on pain in back of knee when walking.
When Should You Have Knee Pain Evaluated?
Mild knee pain after unusual physical activity may improve with rest and activity modification. However, consider seeking evaluation if:
Pain persists or becomes worse
Significant swelling develops
You cannot comfortably bear weight
Your knee locks or catches
The joint feels unstable
You cannot fully bend or straighten your knee
Symptoms began after a significant accident or fall
Seek prompt medical attention if the knee becomes very swollen, red, or hot, particularly if you also have a fever or feel ill. They can also help with how to treat burning knee pain.
How Is Inner Knee Pain Treated?
Treatment depends on what's causing the pain.
For some musculoskeletal conditions, temporarily modifying activities can reduce stress on irritated tissues. Treatment may also involve exercises intended to improve flexibility, strength, stability, and movement.
Other conditions may require imaging, medication, physical therapy, injections, or orthopedic evaluation.
Identifying the cause is important because a treatment that's appropriate for an overuse injury may not be appropriate for a torn meniscus or ligament injury. Additionally, an Albuquerque chiropractor for neck pain may be recommended.
Can Chiropractic Care Help With Inner Knee Pain?
Chiropractic care may be one component of conservative treatment for certain musculoskeletal causes of knee pain.
An evaluation may include the knee as well as the hips, ankles, feet, and overall movement patterns. How these areas function can influence the forces placed on the knee during walking and other activities.
Depending on the condition, care may focus on mobility, surrounding soft tissues, movement, and therapeutic exercises. If symptoms suggest a significant structural injury or another condition requiring medical treatment, additional evaluation or referral may be appropriate.
Find Out What's Causing Your Knee Pain
Pain on the inside of your knee every time you bend or straighten your leg can make simple movements frustrating. While overuse may be responsible, symptoms can also result from an injury or changes within the joint.
If you're experiencing pain on the inside of your knee when bending and straightening in Albuquerque, Sandia Injury Center can evaluate your symptoms and help determine what may be contributing to the problem. Identifying the source of your discomfort is the first step toward getting you moving comfortably again.