The knee carries the body’s weight with every step and most often hurts from overuse, wear of the cartilage or a sports injury.
Where the pain is and how it started help to find the cause. Pain at the front, around the kneecap, is common in young people and runners. Pain on the inner side after the age of 50 is usually osteoarthritis. A pop, rapid swelling and a knee that gives way suggest a torn ligament.
Which page to read
- Not sure where the pain comes from: start with knee pain.
- The knee hurts when walking and on stairs and is stiff in the morning: knee osteoarthritis (gonarthrosis).
- The knee clicks, locks or hurts on the side after a twist: meniscus tear.
- After a sports injury the knee gives way: ACL tear (torn anterior cruciate ligament).
When to start with a consultation
For pain without an injury that lasts more than 1–2 weeks, start with a consultation. After an injury with rapid swelling, with a locked knee, or if you can’t put weight on the leg, see an orthopaedic doctor first.