Knee pain is one of the most common complaints I see in my orthopedic clinic in Dubai. Whether it’s a sharp twinge after exercise or a persistent ache that affects daily life, knee discomfort can disrupt your routine, limit mobility, and affect your overall quality of life. Understanding the cause, treatment options, and prevention strategies is crucial for long-term joint health.
Understanding Knee Pain
The knee is the largest and most complex joint in your body, connecting the thigh bone (femur) to the shin bone (tibia), and supported by muscles, ligaments, tendons, and cartilage. It bears your body weight and allows movement like walking, running, and bending. Because of this, it’s prone to injuries, wear-and-tear, and other medical conditions.
Where Knee Pain Occurs
Knee pain location can provide clues about its cause:
- Front of the knee: Often related to the patella (kneecap) or quadriceps tendons.
- Back of the knee: May indicate issues with ligaments or muscles.
- Inside or outside: Can suggest meniscus or collateral ligament injuries.
- Deep joint pain: Often related to cartilage, bone, or arthritis.
Some patients notice pain that comes and goes, worsens during activity, or even appears at night. Understanding your pain pattern helps in diagnosis and management. Book an Appointment
Common Causes of Knee Pain
1. Acute Injuries
Injuries to the knee can happen suddenly and are often associated with sports, falls, or accidents:
- Ligament injuries: ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injuries are common in football or tennis, caused by sudden stops or twisting motions. PCL, MCL, and LCL injuries can also occur, though less frequently. Book an Appointment
- Meniscus tears: The meniscus is cartilage that cushions your knee. Twisting or sudden impact can cause a tear.
- Fractures: Direct trauma can break bones in the knee, often requiring urgent medical care.
- Dislocations: Rare but serious, dislocations need immediate treatment to prevent blood flow restriction. Knee Treatments
2. Overuse & Repetitive Strain
Repetitive movements such as running, cycling, kneeling, or even prolonged standing can strain your knee joint:
- Patellar tendinitis: Inflammation of the tendon connecting the kneecap to the shinbone, often called “jumper’s knee.”
- Bursitis: Inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs above your joint.
- IT band syndrome: Pain on the outer knee due to overexertion of the connective tissue from hip to knee.
3. Arthritis & Chronic Conditions
Knee pain can also result from long-term joint degeneration:
- Osteoarthritis: Wear-and-tear of cartilage, common in adults over 50, causing stiffness and swelling.
- Rheumatoid arthritis: Autoimmune inflammation affecting joint lining.
- Gout: Uric acid buildup leading to painful knee flare-ups.
- Post-traumatic arthritis: Arthritis developing after a previous injury.
4. Pediatric Conditions
Children and teens can experience knee pain from growth-related issues:
- Osgood-Schlatter disease: Painful bump below the kneecap due to repetitive stress during growth.
- Patellar pain syndromes: Common in young athletes, often due to overuse or improper movement patterns.
Symptoms to Watch For
Knee pain can present differently depending on the underlying cause. Typical signs include:
- Pain or tenderness in the knee joint
- Swelling or warmth around the joint
- Stiffness or limited range of motion
- Clicking, popping, or grinding sounds
- Instability or the knee giving way
Diagnosing Knee Pain
A precise diagnosis is the first step toward effective treatment. In my clinic, we use:
- Physical examination: Assessing movement, swelling, and tenderness.
- Imaging: X-rays, MRI, or CT scans to evaluate bones, cartilage, and soft tissue.
- Patient history: Understanding lifestyle, sports activity, previous injuries, and symptom patterns.
Treatment Options
1. Conservative (Non-Surgical) Treatments
Most knee pain can be managed without surgery:
- Rest and activity modification: Avoid movements that trigger pain.
- Ice and heat therapy: Ice reduces inflammation; heat relaxes muscles.
- Medications: Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Prescription medications may be needed for arthritis or inflammation. Knee Treatments
- Physical therapy: Strengthening muscles around the knee improves stability and reduces pain.
- Knee braces or supports: Help maintain proper alignment and prevent further injury.
2. Injections
For some patients, targeted injections help reduce inflammation and improve mobility:
- Corticosteroid injections: Reduce arthritis-related inflammation.
- Hyaluronic acid injections: Lubricate the joint and improve movement.
3. Surgical Treatments
Surgery is considered when conservative measures are insufficient:
- Arthroscopic surgery: Minimally invasive procedure to repair meniscus tears or ligament damage.
- Partial knee replacement: Replaces only the damaged compartment of the knee.
- Total knee replacement: Replaces the entire knee joint in severe arthritis cases. Patient Valuable Information
Recovery and Rehabilitation
Recovery varies depending on the severity of the injury or surgery. Key principles include:
- Following post-operative physiotherapy programs diligently.
- Gradual return to activities to avoid re-injury.
- Maintaining a healthy weight to reduce knee stress.
- Continuing low-impact exercises like swimming, cycling, or walking.
Preventing Knee Pain
Even if you’ve had knee pain before, these strategies can help reduce future problems:
- Maintain a healthy weight to reduce joint stress. Patient Valuable Information
- Wear proper footwear to support alignment and balance.
- Warm up and stretch before physical activity.
- Use low-impact exercises to strengthen leg muscles.
- Listen to your body and avoid “playing through pain.”
FAQs About Knee Pain
1. When should I see a doctor for knee pain?
If your knee pain is persistent, affects daily activities, or follows an injury, it’s time to consult an orthopedic specialist.
2. Can knee pain go away without surgery?
Yes, most knee pain responds well to rest, physiotherapy, medication, and lifestyle adjustments. Surgery is only needed in severe cases. Book an Appointment
3. How long does it take to recover from knee surgery?
Recovery depends on the type of surgery. Arthroscopic procedures may take a few weeks, while total knee replacement can require several months of rehabilitation.
4. Are knee braces effective?
Yes, knee braces can provide support, reduce pain, and prevent further injury when used correctly under guidance.
5. Can children get knee pain?
Absolutely. Conditions like Osgood-Schlatter disease or growth-related patellar issues are common in young athletes and usually improve with rest and physiotherapy.
5. Can children get knee pain?
Absolutely. Conditions like Osgood-Schlatter disease or growth-related patellar issues are common in young athletes and usually improve with rest and physiotherapy. Book an Appointment
