Top 10 Most Common Causes of Knee Pain (Part 1)
Author: Chloe Mo, Founder & Registered Physiotherapist
Knee pain (knee cap pain) is a common complaint that affects many people's quality of life and daily activities. If you have experienced knee pain, you probably know that it can make your life difficult and inconvenient. Therefore, understanding the causes of knee pain is very important. In this article, Aloha will reveal the top five most common causes of knee pain to help you understand them better, avoid them as much as possible, and seek early treatment.
High-risk groups
Individuals who maintain the same posture for extended periods, such as office workers or professional drivers. Athletes and laborers who frequently engage in repetitive movements, especially those involving extensive running or jumping. People with inadequate stretching or muscle imbalances, which can lead to over-tightness in certain muscle groups. Athletes who do not perform proper warm-ups or cool-downs may increase their risk of muscle tightness and trigger points.
- Trigger Point Knee Pain
Trigger Points are localized areas in muscles that are highly sensitive and cause pain when pressed, sometimes radiating to other parts of the body. Trigger points are often associated with tight bands within muscle fibers, where a small part of the muscle fiber contracts and does not relax. This leads to reduced local blood flow, resulting in oxygen deprivation and the accumulation of pain-causing substances (such as lactic acid), which can trigger knee pain. Trigger points can be found in muscle groups near the knee, such as the quadriceps, hamstrings (including the biceps femoris, semitendinosus, and semimembranosus), calf muscles (e.g., gastrocnemius), and iliotibial band. These trigger points are usually caused by muscle overuse, muscle tension, or poor posture. When these muscles remain tense, they can put additional pressure on the knee, leading to pain. - Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury (ACL injury)
This injury is common in athletes who participate in sports involving rapid turns and jumps, such as soccer, basketball, skiing, and volleyball players. The anterior cruciate ligament can be damaged by abnormal twisting or direct impact, leading to pain and instability. Athletes of this type, especially those with a history of ligament injuries, are at high risk.
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a major ligament in the knee joint that stabilizes the knee and prevents the tibia (shin bone) from sliding forward beneath the femur (thigh bone). - Meniscus Injury (Meniscus injury)
The menisci are two pieces of fibrocartilage that absorb shock and stabilize the knee joint. Athletes, especially those in soccer, basketball, and baseball, as well as people engaged in heavy physical labor and those who are obese, are prone to tears during twisting or jumping movements due to the greater pressure on their knee joints.
A meniscus tear refers to an injury to the meniscus in the knee joint (a type of fibrocartilage located between the femur and tibia). The main function of the meniscus is to absorb shock and stabilize the knee joint. - Knee Osteoarthritis(Osteoarthritis)
This is a degenerative disease characterized by the gradual wear and tear of joint cartilage. Cartilage is a smooth tissue that covers the ends of bones in a joint, helping the joint move smoothly. When cartilage wears down, the cushioning between bones decreases, leading to pain, stiffness, inflammation, and limited range of motion. - Patellofemoral Syndrome(Patellofemoral Syndrome)
Athletes who frequently run and jump, as well as individuals with patellar maltracking or muscle imbalances, may experience pain due to abnormal movement or pressure distribution between the patella and femur. Patellofemoral Syndrome, also known as "runner's knee," refers to pain and discomfort between the patella (kneecap) and the femur (thigh bone). This condition is usually caused by increased pressure or abnormal movement of the patella as it slides over the femur.
