Knee pain affects people of all ages and physical conditions, from athletic teens to seniors, busy moms to soccer-playing dads. You are likely to experience knee pain at some point in your life, particularly if you play sport or you are overweight. Part of the problem is the joint’s complexity . The knee joint provides a wide range of movement and is bound up with many muscles and tendons. If you suffer a problem with any of these tendons, ligaments, or muscles then you will have a problem with pain. The following are the most frequent reasons for experiencing knee pain and discomfort:

Mechanical Problems, Injuries and Other Knee Issues

1. Osteoarthritis. Most frequently suffered by seniors, although it is a problem for people of all ages, osteoarthritis affects the knee as well as other joints in the body.
2. Tendonitis. If you injure your knee you may cause inflammation in the tendons, the tough fibers of tissue that connect bone to muscle in the knee joint. One form of tendonitis in the knee is called jumper’s knee.
3. Bursitis. Inflammation can also occur in the bursae, the fluid-filled sacs that cushion the joint. Pain and swelling in this area are common.
4. Dislocated kneecap. It is common to suffer a dislocated kneecap when playing sport. The cap slides out of position in the knee and causes inflammation.
5. Loose cartilage and chips of bone. Sometimes a small piece of bone or cartilage will break off and begin to “float” around in the spare space in the knee joint. When this happens you feel pain, and you also find it difficult to move the joint.
6. Gout. Another form of arthritis, gout is an intensely painful condition caused by a build-up of uric crystals in the knee joint.
7. Medial plica syndrome. The fold of tissue called the plica is located within the knee joint and overuse of the knee can result in inflammation and irritation.
8. Iliotibial band syndrome. This strip of hard tissue connects the hip bone to your shin. Overuse of this tissue results in irritation and inflammation.

Knee Problems and Treatment

If you feel pain in your knee it is best to get the problem looked at by a specialist. The many issues that can cause knee pain mean it is important to get a professional diagnosis. There are many treatment options available, some of which are explained in the following article.