Knee Pain / Knee Injuries

Knee pain can be related to overuse where small stresses are repeated a large number of times without allowing adequate recovery, for example running too much too soon, or excessive jumping. Or injuries can be acute where the injury is caused by an impact or twisting such as an anterior cruciate ligament injury. An overuse injury can also be considered to be acute if it is painful or inflammed.

Knee Joint Injuries
Anterior cruciate ligament injury, Medial ligament sprain, Lateral ligament sprain, Posterior cruciate ligament injury....more

Anterior (Front) Injuries
Jumpers knee (patella tendinitis), Osgood Schlatters disease, Patellofemoral pain syndrome, Chondromalacia Patellae, Housemaids knee..more

Medial (Inside) Injuries
Medial Cartilage Meniscus Injury, Medial Ligament Sprain, Osteoarthritis of the knee, Synovial Plica / Patella Plica...more

Lateral (Outside) Pain
Iliotibial band friction syndrome (runners knee), Patellofemoral instability, Lateral cartilage injury...more

Posterior (Back) Pain
Posterior cruciate ligament injury, Bakers Cyst, Hamstring tendon strain...more

Acute Pain
Acute patella injury, Patella dislocation, Patella tendon rupture....more.

Anterior (front) Knee Pain

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
One of the most common knee injuries with pain originating from the patella or kneecap. A common overuse injury and running injury.

Chondromalacia Patellae
Damage to the cartilage lining the back of the patella.

Fat Pad Impingement
The fat pad is soft tissue between the patella and the femoral condyle (end of the thigh bone). It gets pinched, often as the result of a hyperextension (bending back) of the knee.

Housemaid's Knee / Prepatella Bursitis
Inflammation or swelling of the bursa or sac of fluid on the front of the patella.

Infrapatellar Bursitis (Clergyman's Knee)
Pain at the front of the patella from and inflamed bursa

Jumpers knee (patella tendon inflammation / rupture)
Inflammation of the patella tendon or from a partial rupture of the tendon.

Osgood Schlatters disease
An overuse injury mainly affecting young people undergoing a growth spurt. Symptoms include pain below the knee on the tibial tuberosity which becomes worse with use.

Patellofemoral Instability
Patellofemoral instability usually presents with the patient having a sensation of their kneecap (patella) 'slipping away' or feeling loose on movement.

Patella tendonitis / Jumper's Knee)
Inflammation of the patella tendon or from a partial rupture of the tendon.

Pre Patella Bursitis / Housemaids Knee
Inflammation or swelling of the bursa or sac of fluid on the front of the patella.

Quadriceps tendinopathy / inflammation at insertion at the Patella
An overuse injury where the quadriceps tendon becomes inflamed and painful at the point it inserts into the patella.

Quadriceps Haematoma
Caused by a direct blow can cause bleeding withing the muscle or a haematoma.

Synovial Plica / Patella Plica
The synovial plica is a synovial fold found along the inside border of the patella.

Knee Anatomy Explained The knee joint is tough and can take a lot before it becomes injured. Learn what structures make up the joint and their function.
Bones of the knee joint The joint capsule Ligaments of the knee joint Cartilage and its function Muscles of the knee joint more...

Strapping & Taping Check out our strapping and taping tutorials for the knee joint.
Patella tendon taping CMP / Patella pain Posterior cruciate ligament sprain Medial ligament sprain Anterior Cruciate Ligament more...

Knee Assessment How the knee is assessed and injuries diagnosed.
Examination Ligament stability tests Lachman's test McMurray's test Active and passive movements....more

Discuss knee injuries with other injured athletes and qualified therapists on the knee section of our sports injury forum...more

Find a sports injury clinic to treat your injury with our directory of sports injury clinics....more

Knee braces for skiing

Advice on which brace is most suitable for your injury if you're planning on taking to the slopes!....more

Lateral (outer) Knee Pain

Runners Knee (Iliotibial band syndrome)
An overuse injury caused by the ilitibial band rubbing on the outside of the joint

Lateral Meniscus Tear / cartilage tear

Torn cartilage or meniscus towards the outside of the knee. Caused by internally rotating the knee with the foot, over bending the knee backwards or forwards, or from over use.

Lateral Cartilage Meniscus Abnormality
Knee injury involving pain similar to that in Iliotibial Band Friction syndrome. The lateral meniscus becomes inflammed or has degenerated.

Osteoarthritis of the knee.
Osteoarthritis (also called degenerative joint disease) is the degradation and degeneration of this articular cartilage. As the disease progresses, the cartilage itself becomes thinner and in some cases may wear away altogether.

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
One of the most common knee injuries with pain originating from the patella or kneecap. A common overuse injury and running injury.

Medial (inner) Knee Pain

Medial Cartilage Meniscus Injury
Damage to the medial cartilage or meniscus causing pain to the inside of the knee. Can be caused by twisting the knee, over flexing (bending) or over use.

Medial Ligament Sprain
Sprain or tear to the medial colateral ligament. Often caused by impact to the outside of the knee. This injury is common in contact sports such as football and rugby.

Osteoarthritis of the knee.
Osteoarthritis (also called degenerative joint disease) is the degradation and degeneration of the articular cartilage. As the disease progresses, the cartilage itself becomes thinner and in some cases may wear away altogether.

Synovial Plica / Patella Plica
The synovial plica is a synovial fold found along the inside border of the patella.

Posterior (back) Knee Pain

Bakers cyst (Popliteal cyst)
A prominent swelling at the back of the knee, often caused by some disorder within the joint.

Biceps Femoris Tendinopathy
Inflammation of the hamstring tendons at the back of the joint.

Biceps Femoris Avulsion
Avulsion of the biceps femoris tendon, is the complete pulling away of the tendon from the bone.

Deep Vein Thrombosis / DVT
Deep Vein Thrombosis is a blood clot in a vein. It is more common in the calf muscle area, particularly following surgery.

Inflammation of hamstring tendons / tendinitis
Inflammation of the hamstring tendons as they insert into the knee.

Posterior cruciate ligament sprain
Injury to the posterior cruciate ligament, often caused by hyperextension or bending the knee back the wrong way.

Rupture of hamstring tendons / tendon strain
Rupture or partial rupture of one of the hamstring tendons at the back of the joint.

Popliteus injury
Overuse of the Popliteus muscle at the back of the knee joint.

Knee joint injuries (sprains and other conditions)

Anterior cruciate ligament sprain
Sprain or rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament, often caused by twisting or an impact to the side.

Articular Cartilage Injury
Or Osteochondritis dessicans - damage or flakes off the hard cartilage that lines the ends of bones.

Lateral Ligament Sprain
Sprain or tear to the lateral ligament on the outside of the joint, often caused by impact to the inside which over-stretches the ligament.

Lateral Meniscus Tear / cartilage tear
Torn cartilage or meniscus towards the outside of the joint. Caused by internally rotating the knee, over bending the knee backwards or forwards, or from over use.

Medial Ligament Sprain
Sprain or tear to the medial collateral ligament. Often caused by impact to the outside of the joint. Common in contact sports such as football and rugby.

Medial Cartilage Meniscus Injury
Medial cartilage or meniscus tear causing pain to the inside of the joint. Can be caused by twisting, over-flexing (bending) or over use.

Posterior cruciate ligament sprain
Injury to the posterior cruciate ligament, often caused by hyperextension or bending back the wrong way.

Patella Disclocation
Dislocation of the patella.

Tibiofibular Joint Dislocation
Dislocation of the proximal tibiofibular joint occurs most commonly when the athlete sustains an impact or falls with their knee in a fully flexed position, with their foot pointing inwards (inversion) and downwards.

Acute Injuries (sudden onset knee pain)

Acute Patellar Injury
Contusion to the patella or fracture of the patella

Anterior cruciate ligament sprain
Sprain or rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament, often caused by twisting or an impact to the side of the knee.

Articular Cartilage Injury
Or Osteochondritis dessicans - damage or flakes off the hard cartilage that lines the ends of bones.

Biceps femoris avulsion
Avulsion of the biceps femoris tendon, is the complete pulling away of the tendon from the bone.

Coronary Ligament Sprain
The coronary ligament is part of the fibrous joint capsule. It attaches to the edge of the cartilage meniscis and to the adjacent part of the tibia or shin bone.

Fat Pad Impingement
The fat pad is soft tissue between the patella and the femoral condyle (end of the thigh bone). It gets pinched, often as the result of a hyperextension (over straightening).

Hamstring tendon rupture / strain
Rupture of the hamstring tendons as they insert into the back of the knee.

Lateral Ligament Sprain
Sprain or tear to the lateral ligament on the outside, often caused by impact to the inside of the knee which over-stretches the ligament.

Lateral Meniscus Tear / cartilage tear
Injury involving torn cartilage or meniscus towards the outside of the joint. Caused by internally rotating the knee, over bending the knee backwards or forwards, or from over use.

Medial Ligament Sprain
Sprain or tear to the medial collateral ligament. Often caused by impact to the outside of the knee. A common injury in contact sports such as football and rugby.

Medial Cartilage Meniscus Injury
Injury to the medial cartilage or meniscus causing pain to the inside of the joint. Can be caused by twisting, over-flexing (bending) or over use.

Posterior cruciate ligament sprain
Injury to the posterior cruciate ligament, often caused by hyperextension or over-straightening.

Patella Disclocation
Dislocation of the patella or kneecap.

Patella Tendon Rupture
Rupture or tear of the patella tendon.

Pre Patella Bursitis / Housemaids Knee
Inflammation or swelling of the bursa or sac of fluid on the front of the patella.

Quadriceps Tendon Rupture
Ruptures of the quadriceps tendon mainly occur in middle aged individuals during sporting activities.

Tibial Plateau Fracture
Fracture to the upper surface of the tibia or shin boneusually from high velocity accidents

Tibiofibular Joint Dislocation
Dislocation of the proximal tibiofibular joint occurs most commonly when the athlete sustains an impact or falls with their knee in a fully flexed position, with their foot pointing inwards (inversion) and downwards.

Other

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome