Knee pain is one of the most common reasons for seeing a doctor. It can be anything from a temporary overload to a sign of osteoarthritis, meniscus damage or cruciate ligament damage. Common is that correct diagnosis and treatment make a huge difference - both for the pain and for how long the problems remain.
This article reviews the most common causes of knee pain, which symptoms to look out for, which treatments work - and when it's time to see a specialist.
Where is the pain? - clues to the cause
Where the pain is in the knee can give a clear indication of what is wrong:
- Front of the knee – often muscle imbalance, runner's knee or kneecap problems
- Inside of the knee – meniscus injury or inner ligament injury
- Outer side of the knee – tractus iliotibialis syndrome ("runner's knee") or outer ligament injury
- Behind the knee – Baker's cyst, hamstring injury, meniscus injury
- Whole knee – osteoarthritis, inflammation or synovial fluid
Common causes of knee pain
Knee osteoarthritis
Knee osteoarthritis is by far the most common cause of long-term knee pain - especially after age 45. The cartilage wears down over time and the joint becomes stiff and painful.
Classic signs:
- Morning stiffness that eases after movement
- Pain when climbing stairs or when standing up
- Clicking or crashing sound
- Pain that is worse after activity
- Sometimes swelling
Read our in-depth review on arthrosis.
Meniscus injury
The meniscus is a cartilage-like shock absorber between the femur and tibia. It can be damaged by:
- Acute twisting violence (typical in sports)
- Age wear (degenerative meniscus damage)
Symptoms:
- Sudden pain at a specific moment of movement
- Pain on the inside or outside of the knee
- Locks in the knee ("stuck")
- Swelling within a day of the injury
- Instability
Cruciate ligament injury
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is often injured in sports with rapid changes of direction (football, floorball, skiing). The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) is less often injured, usually in trauma.
Typical signs:
- Audible "pop" at the time of injury
- Rapid swelling (within hours)
- Feeling of instability – the knee is failing
- Difficult to support on the leg
Runner's knee (patellofemoral pain syndrome)
Pain in the front of the knee, around or under the kneecap. Common in athletes but also in sedentary people. Cause: muscular imbalance between thigh and buttock muscles.
Signs:
- Pain when going up stairs, especially down
- Pain after prolonged sitting with bent knee
- Pain when squatting or running
Tendinitis and inflammation
Tendons and sacs around the knee can become inflamed – for example:
- Patella tendonitis ("jump's knee")
- Iliotibial band syndrome ("runner's knee" outside)
- Bursitis (inflammation of the mucous sac)
Less common causes
- Gout (especially in the knee can suddenly become severely inflamed)
- Rheumatoid arthritis (inflammatory joint disease)
- Infection in the joint (sepsis) – acute condition
- Osgood-Schlatter in teenagers
Red flags – seek care immediately
Contact healthcare urgently if:
- The knee is very swollen, red and hot (may be infection)
- You have fever along with knee pain
- You cannot support your leg after a trauma
- Sudden inability to bend or extend the knee
- Clear misalignment after trauma
- Severe swelling within hours of injury
When should you see an orthopedist?
Many people try to "wait out" knee pain - and often end up in a worse situation than when they started. Contact an orthopedist if:
- The pain has been present for more than 2–4 weeks
- You have swelling that won't go away
- The knee locks or fails
- You cannot do normal activities (stair climbing, cycling, walking)
- The pain disrupts sleep
- Pain is recurring
- Ordinary painkillers are not enough
- Previous injury never really healed
At Scandinavian Health Clinic in Mölndal you see specialists in orthopedics and pain without a referral.
Diagnosis - that's how we investigate your knee
A complete orthopedic assessment includes:
Clinical examination
We test mobility, stability, swelling, pain points and do specific functional tests (Lachman's test, McMurray, Apleys, etc.) to identify which structure is damaged.
X-ray
Shows bones, misalignments and signs of osteoarthritis. Often the first imaging diagnosis for long-term problems in the elderly.
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
Gold standard for seeing soft tissue – menisci, ligaments, cartilage, tendons. We order MRI when clinical signs suggest structural damage.
Synovial fluid analysis
If there is severe swelling, we can take synovial fluid for analysis – for example, distinguishing gout from infection from bleeding.
Treatment of knee pain
Movement and strength training - the basics
Regardless of the cause, proper exercise is almost always part of the treatment. Strong thigh muscles, especially the quadriceps, relieve the joint.
A physiotherapist will help you build an individual program.
Weight control
If you are overweight, every kilo you lose is worth 3-4 kilos less load on the knee. In knee osteoarthritis, 5-10% weight loss can significantly reduce pain.
Pain-relieving drugs
- Paracetamol for mild pain
- NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen) for inflammatory problems
- Local gels (diclofenac gel) can have a nice effect
Injection treatments
- Cortisone injection – fast and effective in case of inflammation
- Hyaluronic acid – "lubricant" in the joint, can help with osteoarthritis
- PRP (platelet-rich plasma) – growing treatment
Injections take minutes and can provide months of relief.
Knee orthoses and aids
In case of instability or specific problems, orthosis or support bandage can be used temporarily. An orthopedist guides the right choice.
Arthroscopy and surgery
In case of clear structural damage (for example cruciate ligament damage or large meniscus damage), peep hole surgery (arthroscopy) may be needed. In severe osteoarthritis knee replacement can be an alternative.
But note: research shows that surgery for degenerative meniscal injuries is often not better than exercise. An orthopedist will help you weigh the benefits and risks.
Self-help - what you can do yourself
- Move – but adjust the load
- Cool (ice for 15 min) in case of acute swelling
- Heat (hot water bottle) for stiffness and muscle tension
- Elevate the leg in case of swelling
- Support with a cane if necessary - temporary relief
- Good shoes with cushioning is important
- Avoid long stairs and deep knee bends until you know the cause
- Start with cycling or swimming – gentle on the knees
Sports with knee problems - what is allowed?
- Running – can put heavy strain on the knees. Feel free to switch to cycling or a cross trainer temporarily.
- Cycling – very gentle, good for the knees
- Swimming – ideal for all forms of knee pain
- Strength training – essential for long-term health, but adapt exercises
- Walks – always good, start short and build on
A specialist can provide specific guidance based on your diagnosis.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
When should you not train with knee pain?
In case of acute swelling, fever, inability to support the leg or obvious instability. In mild pain, movement is, on the contrary, healing.
Are kneecaps dangerous?
Snapping noises without pain are almost always harmless. In case of pain or locking, it is worth investigating.
How long does it take for a meniscus injury to heal?
Degenerative meniscal injuries often respond well to 6-12 weeks of training. Larger acute injuries may require surgery, with 6-12 weeks of rehab following surgery.
Can I work out osteoarthritis?
You cannot cure osteoarthritis, but correct exercise is the most effective treatment. 12 weeks of structured exercise can provide as good pain relief as surgery for mild to moderate osteoarthritis.
Do I need an MRI?
Not always. In clearly mechanical symptoms (locking, instability, trauma) MRI is often valuable. In the case of general joint pain, a clinical examination + X-ray is usually sufficient.
Can I see an orthopedist without a referral?
Yes. At the Scandinavian Health Clinic in Mölndal, you book an appointment directly without a referral.
How quickly can I get an appointment?
Usually within a few days. We try to solve urgent cases the same week.
How much does a visit cost?
The price depends on the type of visit and possible diagnostic imaging. Contact us for current prices.
Take your knee seriously
Knee pain is not something you just have to live with. The right diagnosis, the right treatment and the right training almost always give good results - regardless of whether it is osteoarthritis, meniscus damage or runner's knee.
Book an appointment with a specialist in orthopaedics and pain at the Scandinavian Health Clinic in Mölndal - without a referral, with a short waiting time and close to Gothenburg.
📞 +46 (0) 10-147 77 40 ✉️ [email protected]
Book an appointment - contact us → Read more about Pain & Orthopedics → Read about osteoarthritis → Read about hip pain → Read about foot pain → Read about chronic pain →
