Common Causes of Knee Pain

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

Also known as "runner’s knee," this involves pain around or behind the kneecap, often from poor tracking or muscle imbalance.

Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITB Syndrome)

Irritation of the connective tissue on the outer thigh that can create friction near the outside of the knee—common in runners.

Ligament Sprains (ACL, MCL, LCL, PCL)

Injuries from sports, twisting, or impact can damage knee-stabilizing ligaments, leading to pain, swelling, or instability.

Meniscus Tears

Cartilage damage from trauma or wear-and-tear, often resulting in clicking, locking, or pain with bending and squatting.

Tendinopathies (e.g., Jumper’s Knee)

Repetitive stress can irritate the patellar or quadriceps tendon—especially in jumping or sprinting athletes.

Osteoarthritis

Degenerative changes in the joint can lead to stiffness, swelling, and joint line tenderness.

Osgood-Schlatter Disease

A common overuse injury in growing adolescents, Osgood-Schlatter is caused by repetitive traction from the quadriceps tendon pulling on the tibial tuberosity (the bump just below the kneecap). This leads to pain, swelling, and tenderness at the front of the knee.

Often seen in: Running, jumping, and kicking sports (e.g., soccer, basketball)

Sinding-Larsen-Johansson Syndrome

Similar to Osgood-Schlatter but affects the bottom of the patella (kneecap) instead of the shin. It’s an overuse injury where repeated strain from the patellar tendon causes inflammation at the lower pole of the patella.

Often seen in: Jumping sports like basketball, volleyball, and track

Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD)

A condition where repetitive stress causes a small segment of bone and cartilage inside the joint—often the femoral condyle—to become damaged or loosen. It may cause pain, swelling, or locking of the knee.

Often seen in: Athletes in high-impact or pivot-heavy sports such as soccer, basketball, or gymnastics.

Patella Instability/Dislocation

Occurs when the kneecap slides out of place due to sudden twisting or pivoting motions, often in adolescents with hypermobility or growth-related alignment issues.

Often seen in: Cheerleading, gymnastics, basketball.

Fracture

Knee fractures typically involve the patella (kneecap) or the bones that form the knee joint (femur, tibia). Common examples:

• Patellar fractures – from falls directly onto the knee or sharp force

• Tibial plateau fractures – involve the top of the shinbone, often after twisting or weight-bearing trauma

• Distal femur fractures – occur just above the knee and are more common in high-impact injuries

• Stress fractures of the femur or tibia – often occur in athletes and can present with deep aching pain

• Pediatric knee fractures - involve the tibia, femur, or patella and can include growth plate fractures (Salter-Harris), which are especially concerning because they can affect future bone growth. These are usually the result of high-impact trauma or stress fractures from overuse.

  • Often seen in: Contact sports, falls, or overtraining in running and gymnastics.