How Do I Know If My Knee Pain Is Serious?

The knee is involved in almost every lower body movement. You use this joint to walk, run, climb stairs, squat, and more. So, when you or a client experience knee pain, it can be concerning. Is the source of this pain serious or just a minor discomfort that will eventually go away? Before we can answer this question, it’s helpful to understand some of the most common reasons behind pain in the knee joint.

Common Knee Pain Causes

Knee pain can be a result of several things. Though, most causes fall into four basic categories: overtraining, structural or functional issues, arthritis, or injury.

Overtraining

Repetitive movements can lead to pain in the knee area. Runners knee is one example. Within the medical world, this is known as patellofemoral pain syndrome. It involves pain around the knee cap (patella) and can make running difficult. 

This type of pain can occur if you don’t give the joint enough time to recover between training sessions. Push it far enough and you risk an actual knee injury. 

Although, some people experience pain in the patella due to being sedentary. So, the phrase ‘runners knee’ can be somewhat misleading.

Knee Structure & Function Issues

Another common cause of knee pain is related to this joint’s structure. If the soft tissues surrounding the knee don’t provide adequate support, it increases the risk of injury. The knee can slip out of place more easily, such as when running or playing sports. 

Tightness in soft tissues attached to the knee can create pain as well. One example is a tight iliotibial (IT) band. This band runs down the outside of the upper leg and attaches to the shin bone, right below the knee joint. If it’s tight, it can cause pain in the kneecap. 

Knee Arthritis

Arthritis is characterized by joint pain. Several types of arthritis exist. Two of the most common are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Research reveals that more than 654 million people worldwide have knee osteoarthritis. This type of arthritis is often referred to as normal wear and tear. Additionally, the risk of this knee problem tends to increase with age. 

Rheumatoid arthritis is classified as an autoimmune disease. In this arthritis type, the immune system attacks itself. This causes pain not just in the joints, but in other areas of the body too.

Knee Injury

Knee injuries can occur when playing sports. They are also a result of an accident, such as a slip and fall or an automobile crash. Some of the most common knee injuries include:

• Knee sprain. This common knee injury occurs when a ligament is stretched too far. If stretched far enough, the ligament may even tear. 

• Meniscus tear. The meniscus is a piece of cartilage that provides a sort of cushion between the shin bone and thigh bone. You can tear the meniscus if your foot is planted while your upper leg twists.

• Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. The ACL is a ligament that runs along the center of the knee. Sometimes this injury is in the form of a sprain. Other times, it is a complete ACL tear. An ACL injury can cause a tremendous amount of pain.

• Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury. The PCL sits just behind the ACL. This ligament can also be stretched or torn. Both lead to pain and swelling in the knee joint.

• Medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury. This ligament is on the inside of the knee, or the side that is closest to the other knee. Injury to the MCL is often a result of too much pressure being placed on the knee joint. With an MCL injury, surgery is typically required.

Taking steps to prevent knee injuries such as these can help stop pain before it even starts. But sometimes these injuries occur despite your best efforts. This puts you in a position where you have to decide whether your symptoms are serious enough to warrant seeking treatment.

How Do I Know If My Knee Pain Is Serious? Symptoms to Watch For

Medical treatment isn’t always necessary for relieving knee pain. If it is a light sprain, for instance, taking a break from lower body exercise can help. So can icing the area, taking over-the-counter meds, and other types of at-home treatment.

But if your client is unsure of the cause of your knee pain, here are a few symptoms that may suggest the issue may be a bit more serious:

• If you have severe knee pain. Severe pain is often a sign that something major is wrong. This is pain that extends well beyond just being uncomfortable. It can cause you to wince with every step. In some cases, the pain may also be present without movement.

• If the knee pain is getting worse. Does the pain seem to be getting more intense over time? Chronic knee pain may signal the presence of an underlying condition, such as arthritis. It can also be a sign that an injury exists and is getting worse.

• If you felt a pop or tear in the knee area. If you tear a ligament around your knee joint, you may feel a noticeable pop or tearing sensation. This type of injury can be rather serious as it often requires surgery to repair.

• If you experience major swelling in the knee. Is there a lot of swelling around your knee joint? Do you have a hard time getting this swelling to go down? Swelling means that the area is inflamed. So, if the knee is dramatically bigger in size, it’s likely that the issue is fairly serious.

If you or your client experience any of these symptoms, seeking medical attention is necessary to properly diagnose the issue. This could involve going immediately to the emergency room or local urgent care. If you don’t feel that immediate attention is necessary or you can’t get there right away, you can also make an appointment with your healthcare provider to be seen within the next couple of days.

Diagnosing the Cause of Your Knee Pain

One of the first steps to diagnosing a knee issue is a physical exam. The doctor may test the range of motion of the knee joint. They will also likely ask about pain during the specific movements.

Knee arthroscopy is another option. This is a minimally invasive surgery that allows the doctor to get an inside look at the knee. A small camera is inserted through a small incision. This helps identify the source of the problem and the cause of the knee pain.

Knee Pain Treatment Options

For less serious knee pain causes, rest, ice, compression, and elevation can help. Corrective exercises may also be appropriate in the case of structural issues. But if there is a ligament tear or some other injury that won’t heal properly on its own, you may need to see an orthopedic surgeon.

In the case of a tear, surgery may be necessary to repair it. During knee surgery, the ligament can be put back together or reattached. This gets you back on the road to recovery.

If the cause of the knee pain is arthritis, orthopedic surgery may be needed in the form of knee replacement. Knee replacement surgery involves replacing the entire knee joint. This helps resolve the pain that occurs when the current joint lacks enough space or cushion to move freely and without pain.

Physical therapy may be another treatment option. Post-surgery exercise can help rehabilitate the knee and make it stronger. It works by strengthening the muscles and ligaments that support the knee joint and knee cap. This helps protect them from further injury.

Did you know personal trainers can help clients with preventable low back, shoulder and knee pain, as well as those with muscle-related pain or movement limitations? ISSA's Corrective Exercise Course will help you learn how to identify and correct the most common movement dysfunctions that you are likely to see in a wide range of clients. Expand your offerings and help more clients – get started today!