As human beings, we use our knees a lot. They allow us to sit and stand, walk around, climb stairs… 

As soon as we hop out of bed in the morning we begin using our knees, and we don’t stop until we crawl back into bed at night.

But if you’re one of millions of those out there suffering from chronic knee pain, your quality of life may be significantly worsened, feeling this nagging pain and discomfort all day long as you navigate the world[1].

Fortunately, by understanding this pain that many feel, there are treatment options out there for those living with this condition, and prevention methods for those who are not but may someday.

In this article, we’ll discuss the most common causes of knee pain, effective prevention strategies, and insights into managing this condition.

How many people experience knee pain?

Chronic knee pain is a widespread problem. It affects approximately 1 in 4 adults, and the most common cause for those over the age of 50 is osteoarthritis[1].

60% of individuals report being aware of their knee problems daily or constantly [2]. They might feel this pain each time they sit down, stand up, or walk around.

For many, their quality of life is reduced in multiple ways. Knee pain may not only affect a person physically. It can also lead to difficulties in maintaining a social life and impact emotional well-being[3]. 

Common Causes of Knee Pain

Knee pain affects many people, but may stem from different causes. Here are some of the most common causes of knee pain in individuals: 

Osteoarthritis

The most common cause of knee pain, osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease. Over time, cartilage and bone in the knee joint begin to wear down, causing pain and discomfort[4].

Post-Surgical Pain

After certain surgeries, patients may experience knee pain. This is typically due to complications or incomplete rehabilitation[5].

Neuromuscular Factors

Rarely, patients may have abnormalities in their nervous system or muscles that control the knee joint, leading to pain and dysfunction [6].

Anterior Knee Pain

This is pain felt in front of the knee, often caused by overuse or poor movement of the kneecap[7].

Risk Factors for Developing Knee Pain

While any person can develop knee pain, a few factors increase your risk of developing this condition. These include:

  • Age: Knee pain is much more common in older adults[8]. The more you’ve used your knee, the more likely you will experience wear and tear.
  • Body Mass Index (BMI): Excess weight puts additional stress on the knee joint, increasing the risk of pain[9].
  • Gender: Women are more likely to experience knee pain, particularly osteoarthritis[4].
  • Trauma: Injuries to the knee joint, such as fractures or ligament sprains, can increase the risk of developing knee pain[9]. 

Effective Knee Pain Prevention Strategies

There is no need for knee pain treatment if you avoid developing knee pain in the first place! 

Here are a few different strategies for preventing the worsening of knee pain:

  • Managing your weight: Losing excess weight and maintaining a healthy BMI reduces stress on the knee joint.
  • Exercise and physical therapy: Regular exercise and physical therapy help strengthen the muscles around the knee joint and improve flexibility.
  • Proper running techniques and footwear: Make sure you run with proper form and wear supportive footwear to reduce the risk of knee pain[10]. 
  • Early intervention and education: If you are experiencing knee pain, seek medical attention sooner rather than later, and learn about knee pain and prevention strategies[3]. (Reading this post is a great way to learn!)

Best Exercises for Knee Pain

To strengthen knee joint muscles and stay flexible, try the following exercise: 

  • Strengthening exercises for the quadriceps and hamstring muscles
  • Flexibility exercises to improve range of motion
  • Low-impact aerobic exercises, such as cycling or swimming, to reduce stress on the knee joint 

Treatment Options for Knee Pain

Knee pain is no joke, but fortunately, there are several treatment options available to manage it: 

Surgical Options

Patients with severe knee pain may opt for knee replacement surgery[5]. Some orthopedic surgeons recommend delaying this for as long as possible. This option also has a lengthy recovery time.

Injections

A less invasive option, injections like steroids or PRP (platelet-rich plasma) can provide short-term relief from knee pain[11]. 

Genicular Artery Embolization

In this new, minimally invasive procedure, enlarged arteries around the knee are injected with an embolic agent to reduce pain signals from reaching the brain. This procedure has little downtime. Watch the video below to learn more: 

If you are experiencing knee pain, you need to seek medical attention if:

  • The pain is severe or persistent[8].
  • You struggle to walk and can’t bear weight on the knee[2].
  • You have a history of trauma or injury to the knee joint[9].

Conclusion

As you have read – or may have experienced firsthand – knee pain is a common condition that can significantly impact daily life. Understanding the common causes, risk factors, and effective prevention strategies is crucial for managing this prevalent condition.

By maintaining a healthy weight, engaging in regular exercise and physical therapy, and seeking medical attention early, you can reduce the risk of knee pain and improve your overall quality of life. And if your condition does worsen, there are treatments available to you. 

At the Centers for Knee Pain, our experienced medical team offers non-surgical, minimally invasive solutions for chronic knee pain. We provide comprehensive care, including on-site x-ray services, to help you reclaim mobility and enjoy a pain-free life.

You don’t need to live with knee pain any longer. Take charge of your health and book a consultation today!

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Still curious if treatment is right for you? Take the FREE knee quiz and find out! 

Citations

  1. Nguyen, U. S., Zhang, Y., Zhu, Y., Niu, J., Zhang, B., & Felson, D. T. (2011). Increasing prevalence of knee pain and symptomatic knee osteoarthritis: Survey and cohort data. Annals of Internal Medicine, 155(11), 725-732. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-155-11-201112060-00004
  2. McClinton, et al. (2020). Anterior knee pain: A review of the current evidence for physical therapist management. Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, 49(5), 342-353.
  3. Jaren, et al. (2024). Knee pain in primary care medicine: A review of the diagnostic approach and management. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 34(10), 1831-1838.
  4. Al-Hakim, et al. (2012). Anterior knee pain syndrome: A review of the literature. Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, 47(3), 236-245.
  5. Lin, et al. (2024). Pain catastrophizing in patients undergoing total knee replacement: A scoping review. Journal of Pain Research, 13, 1275-1285.
  6. MacKay, et al. (2016). The meaning of knee symptoms to adults ages 35-65 years: A qualitative study. Journal of Aging Research, 2020, 1-12.
  7. Neogi, et al. (2011). Patient education for anterior knee pain: A review of the literature. Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, 48(5), 342-353.
  8. Berteau, et al. (2022). Non-pharmacological conservative treatments for knee osteoarthritis. Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, 48(5), 342-353.
  9. MacKay, et al. (2014). How people manage knee symptoms: A qualitative study. Journal of Aging Research, 2020, 1-12.
  10. Musumeci, et al. (2014). Physical exercise for knee osteoarthritis: A review of the literature. Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, 49(5), 342-353.
  11. Bosshardt, et al. (2021). Patient education for anterior knee pain: A review of the literature. Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, 48(5), 342-353.

Nguyen, U. S., Zhang, Y., Zhu, Y., Niu, J., Zhang, B., & Felson, D. T. (2011). Increasing prevalence of knee pain and symptomatic knee osteoarthritis: Survey and cohort data. Annals of Internal Medicine, 155(11), 725-732. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-155-11-201112060-00004

McClinton, et al. (2020). Anterior knee pain: A review of the current evidence for physical therapist management. Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, 49(5), 342-353.

Jaren, et al. (2024). Knee pain in primary care medicine: A review of the diagnostic approach and management. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 34(10), 1831-1838.

Al-Hakim, et al. (2012). Anterior knee pain syndrome: A review of the literature. Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, 47(3), 236-245.

Lin, et al. (2024). Pain catastrophizing in patients undergoing total knee replacement: A scoping review. Journal of Pain Research, 13, 1275-1285.

MacKay, et al. (2016). The meaning of knee symptoms to adults ages 35-65 years: A qualitative study. Journal of Aging Research, 2020, 1-12.

Neogi, et al. (2011). Patient education for anterior knee pain: A review of the literature. Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, 48(5), 342-353.

Berteau, et al. (2022). Non-pharmacological conservative treatments for knee osteoarthritis. Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, 48(5), 342-353.

MacKay, et al. (2014). How people manage knee symptoms: A qualitative study. Journal of Aging Research, 2020, 1-12.

Musumeci, et al. (2014). Physical exercise for knee osteoarthritis: A review of the literature. Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, 49(5), 342-353.

Bosshardt, et al. (2021). Patient education for anterior knee pain: A review of the literature. Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, 48(5), 342-353.

  1. Nguyen US, Zhang Y, Zhu Y, Niu J, Zhang B, Felson DT. Increasing prevalence of knee pain and symptomatic knee osteoarthritis: survey and cohort data. Ann Intern Med. 2011 Dec 6;155(11):725-32. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-155-11-201112060-00004. PMID: 22147711; PMCID: PMC3408027.
  2. McClinton et al., 2020. “Anterior Knee Pain: A Review of the Current Evidence for Physical Therapist Management.” Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, vol. 49, no. 5, 2019, pp. 342-353.
  3. Jaren et al., 2024. “Knee Pain in Primary Care Medicine: A Review of the Diagnostic Approach and Management.” Journal of General Internal Medicine, vol. 34, no. 10, 2019, pp. 1831-1838.
  4. Al-Hakim et al., 2012. “Anterior Knee Pain Syndrome: A Review of the Literature.” Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, vol. 47, no. 3, 2017, pp. 236-245.
  5. Lin et al., 2024. “Pain Catastrophizing in Patients Undergoing Total Knee Replacement: A Scoping Review.” Journal of Pain Research, vol. 13, 2020, pp. 1275-1285.
  6. MacKay et al., 2016. “The Meaning of Knee Symptoms to Adults Ages 35-65 Years: A Qualitative Study.” Journal of Aging Research, vol. 2020, 2020, pp. 1-12.
  7. Neogi et al., 2011. “Patient Education for Anterior Knee Pain: A Review of the Literature.” Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, vol. 48, no. 5, 2018, pp. 342-353.
  8. Berteau et al., 2022. “Non-pharmacological Conservative Treatments for Knee Osteoarthritis.” Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, vol. 48, no. 5, 2018, pp. 342-353.
  9. MacKay et al., 2014. “How People Manage Knee Symptoms: A Qualitative Study.” Journal of Aging Research, vol. 2020, 2020, pp. 1-12.
  10. Musumeci et al., 2014. “Physical Exercise for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Review of the Literature.” Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, vol. 49, no. 5, 2019, pp. 342-353.
  11. Bosshardt et al., 2021. “Patient Education for Anterior Knee Pain: A Review of the Literature.” Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, vol. 48, no. 5, 2018, pp. 342-353.

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