What causes pain on the inner side of the knee?
Disease description:
The inner side of my knee has been hurting lately. Sometimes the pain intensifies after walking too much, and it also feels more painful when going up or down stairs. Particularly when squatting and then standing up again, the pain becomes even worse. Why does pain occur on the inner side of the knee?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Chen Jian
Common conditions that may cause medial knee pain:
1. Chronic strain: Long-term repetitive movements, obesity, or poor posture may lead to chronic injury of the soft tissues on the inner side of the knee, resulting in pain.
2. Meniscus injury: The meniscus is a cartilage structure located within the knee joint that serves to cushion and stabilize the joint. Acute sprains or long-term overuse may cause meniscus damage, particularly to the medial meniscus, leading to medial knee pain.
3. Medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury: This is a ligament connecting the femur to the tibia, located on the inner side of the knee joint. MCL injuries are usually caused by lateral impacts, such as those commonly seen in sports like soccer or basketball.
4. Patellofemoral joint problems: Issues with the joint between the patella and femur may also cause medial knee pain, especially when the patellar tracking is abnormal.
5. Osteoarthritis: This degenerative joint disease may lead to cartilage wear and bone spurs on the medial side of the knee, causing pain.
6. Synovitis: Inflammation of the synovial lining inside the knee joint may cause pain, swelling, and a feeling of stiffness.
