Other causes of knee pain
There are a range of other conditions which can also be responsible for causing pain in the knee joint, including:
Torn MCL
The medial collateral ligament (MCL) is one of the four main ligaments critical to the stability of the knee joint – preventing widening of the inside of the joint or ‘opening up’ of the knee. Damage to the MCL is usually sustained following a blow to the outside of the knee (again, often sportsrelated), causing the outside to buckle and the inside to widen. The most common symptom of an MCL tear is pain, swelling and bruising, with patients also complaining of feelings that their knee will ‘give way’. Surgical intervention is rarely required though.
Torn meniscus
The meniscus or meniscal cartilage is a spongy shock absorber separating the thigh bone and shin bone. There are two menisci in the knee – the medial (inner) and lateral (outer). The two most common causes of a meniscus tear are due to traumatic injury (often sports-related) or degenerative progress (often seen in older patients with more brittle cartilage). Symptoms usually include pain and swelling, sometimes accompanied by tenderness when pressing on the meniscus, ‘popping’ or ‘clicking’ and a limited range of motion or locking of the knee joint. Treatment options vary and whilst some people find they can function with a torn meniscus, surgery is often recommended.
Chondromalacia
This condition is caused by the softening or wearing away and cracking of the cartilage, particularly underneath the patella, leading to inflammation and pain. The cartilage can become akin to sandpaper as the knee cap no longer glides smoothly.
Osteonecrosis
Osteonecrosis or avascular necrosis is caused by the temporary or permanent loss of blood supply to the bones. Without blood, the bone tissue will die and may eventually collapse. Where this occurs near to a joint, it can often lead to a collapse of the joint surface. Symptoms may not be obvious in the early days, although joint pain may increase as the disease progresses.
Torn ACL
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is another of the four major knee ligaments. ACL tears are commonly sports-related, for example landing heavily after jumping. The ACL plays an important part in stability and many patients with ACL damage hear a ‘popping’ sound upon injury and complain of feelings that their knee will ‘give way’ under them. Initial symptoms immediately after injury include knee pain, swelling and stiffness. Long-term ACL insufficiency may lead to the knee giving way with twisting and turning activities. Surgery may not be necessary if the tear is only small. Your level of activity is also a factor.
Important: The information and guidance provided here is general in nature and should not be considered as medical advice in any way. You should always seek detailed advice from a qualified medical practitioner.
