Knee Pain Location Chart: Understanding Your Knee Pain

Knee pain is a common ailment that can affect people of all ages. It is characterized by pain, discomfort, stiffness, and swelling in the knee joint. The knee is a complex joint that is composed of bones, ligaments, tendons, and cartilage.

The human body has many bones, and two of the biggest bones in the leg are the femur (thigh bone) and the tibia (shin bone). These two bones come together to form the main part of the knee joint, which is called the tibiofemoral joint.

In addition to the tibiofemoral joint, there is another part of the knee joint called the patella-femoral joint. This joint is made up of two bones: the patella (kneecap) and the femur bone. Together, these two joints allow the knee to bend, straighten, and rotate.

With bones forming the skeletal portion of the knee joint, other structures help move and stabilize the knee joint and these include other soft tissue structures.

The ligaments of the knee joint provide stability and help to prevent excessive movement of the bones. There are four main ligaments in the knee joint: the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), the medial collateral ligament (MCL), and the lateral collateral ligament (LCL). The ACL and PCL cross each other in the center of the joint, while the MCL and LCL are on the inner and outer sides of the joint, respectively.

The tendons of the knee joint connect the muscles to the bones. The quadriceps tendon attaches the quadriceps muscle to the patella, while the patellar tendon attaches the patella to the tibia. The hamstring tendons attach the hamstring muscles to the back of the knee joint.

The muscles of the knee joint include the quadriceps, hamstrings, and calf muscles. The quadriceps are a group of four muscles that extend the knee joint, while the hamstrings flex the knee joint. The calf muscles, including the gastrocnemius and soleus, help to plantarflex the foot.

The cartilage of the knee joint provides a smooth surface for the bones to move against each other. There are two types of cartilage in the knee joint: articular cartilage and meniscus cartilage. Articular cartilage covers the ends of the femur and tibia, while meniscus cartilage is located between the two bones to absorb shock and provide cushioning.

Knee pain can be caused by a variety of factors, including injury, overuse, degenerative conditions, and inflammatory disorders. Some of the most common causes of knee pain include:

1. Injuries: Injuries to the knee, such as ligament tears, cartilage damage, and fractures, can cause knee pain. These injuries can occur during sports, accidents, or falls.
2. Overuse: Overuse of the knee joint, such as repetitive activities or excessive exercise, can cause knee pain. This type of pain is often referred to as a runner’s knee or jumper’s knee in athletes.
3. Arthritis: Arthritis is a degenerative condition that can cause inflammation and pain in the joints. Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout are all types of arthritis that can affect the knee joint.
4. Tendinitis: Tendinitis is a condition that occurs when the tendons around the knee become inflamed or irritated. This can cause pain and stiffness in the knee joint.
5. Bursitis: Bursitis is a condition that occurs when the bursae, small sacs of fluid that cushion the knee joint, become inflamed. This can cause pain and swelling in the knee.
   Also Read: Is Walking Good for Knee Bursitis?
6. Meniscus tears: The meniscus is a piece of cartilage that acts as a shock absorber in the knee joint. Tears in the meniscus can cause pain and discomfort in and around the knee.

The symptoms of knee pain can vary depending on the cause of the pain. Some common symptoms include:

1. Pain or discomfort in the knee joint
2. Swelling or stiffness in the knee
3. Difficulty walking or standing
4. Popping or grinding sensations in the knee joint (crepitus)
5. Limited range of motion in the knee joint

Do you have Knee pain when going downstairs? Read out our guide about different types of knee pains and their causes in our guide “knee pain going downstairs“.

How to differentiate Knee pain based on the location of the pain

Knee pain usually originates from structures involved; like the ligament, meniscus, tendons, muscles, or the knee joint itself. Most of the time the location of the pain can tell you a lot about your pain’s origin and it may also help your doctor and physiotherapist rule out a diagnosis.

Knee pain based on location can be generally classified into four major areas:

• Anterior or the front of the knee
• Posterior or the back of the knee
• Lateral or the outside of the knee
• Medial or the inside of the knee

1. Anterior knee pain

It refers to pain in the front of the knee, just below the kneecap (patella). This type of pain is often associated with activities that involve running, jumping, or climbing stairs. Anterior knee pain can be caused by a variety of factors, including injury, overuse, or structural issues in the knee joint.

One of the most common causes of anterior knee pain is patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). PFPS is a condition in which the patella (kneecap) does not track properly over the femur (thigh bone) during knee movement. This can cause pain and discomfort in the front of the knee. PFPS is often associated with activities that involve repetitive knee motion, such as running or jumping. It can also be caused by structural issues in the knee joint, such as a misaligned patella or weakened quadriceps muscles.

Another common cause of anterior knee pain is chondromalacia patellae. This is a condition in which the cartilage under the patella softens and breaks down, leading to pain and discomfort in the front of the knee. Chondromalacia patellae are often caused by overuse or injury to the knee joint and is more common in people who participate in sports that involve running, jumping, or twisting.

Anterior knee pain can also be caused by patellar tendinitis. This is a condition in which the tendon that connects the patella to the shinbone becomes inflamed and irritated. Patellar tendinitis is often caused by overuse or repetitive stress on the knee joint and is more common in athletes who participate in sports that involve jumping or explosive movements.

In addition to these conditions, anterior knee pain can also be caused by several other factors, including:

• Osteoarthritis: A degenerative condition that affects the joints, causing pain and stiffness.
• Rheumatoid arthritis: An autoimmune disorder that causes inflammation in the joints.
• Quadriceps tendinopathy: This pain originates on the top of the knee cap and is caused by the inflammation of the quad tendon because of overuse or repetitive activities.
• Patellar fractures: A break in the patella, which can cause pain and swelling in the front of the knee.
• Bursitis: Inflammation of the bursa (a fluid-filled sac) that cushions the knee joint.
• Gout: A type of arthritis caused by the collection of uric acid crystals in the joints.

2. Posterior Knee Pain

Posterior knee pain is a condition that causes discomfort in the back of the knee joint. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including injury, overuse, or structural issues in the knee joint. Posterior knee pain can be a common problem for people of all ages and activity levels, and can significantly impact mobility and quality of life.

One of the most common causes of posterior knee pain is a hamstring strain. The hamstring muscles run down the back of the thigh and connect to the knee joint, and can become strained or torn due to overuse or injury. This can cause pain and discomfort in the back of the knee joint. Hamstring strains are often associated with activities that involve running, jumping, or sudden stops and start, such as soccer or football.

Another common cause of posterior knee pain is a Baker’s cyst. This is a fluid-filled sac that forms behind the knee joint, often as a result of inflammation or injury. Baker’s cysts can cause pain and swelling in the back of the knee joint and may be associated with conditions such as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.

Posterior knee pain can also be caused by a meniscus tear. The meniscus is a piece of cartilage that cushions the knee joint and can become torn or damaged due to injury or wear and tear. Meniscus tears can cause pain and discomfort in the back of the knee joint, as well as swelling and stiffness.

In addition to these conditions, posterior knee pain can also be caused by several other factors, including:

• Popliteus strain: The popliteus muscle is a small muscle located at the back of the knee joint, and can become strained or torn due to overuse or injury.
• Osteoarthritis: A degenerative condition that affects the joints, causing pain and stiffness.
• Rheumatoid arthritis: An autoimmune disorder that causes inflammation in the joints.
• Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury: The PCL is one of the major ligaments that helps stabilize the knee joint, and can become sprained or torn due to injury.

3. Medial Knee pain

Medial knee pain refers to pain or discomfort that is felt on the inside of the knee joint. This type of knee pain is often caused by damage or irritation to structures on the inner side of the joint, such as the medial collateral ligament (MCL), medial meniscus, or articular cartilage. Medial knee pain can be caused by several factors, including injury, overuse, or underlying medical conditions.

One of the most common causes of medial knee pain is an MCL injury. The MCL is a thick band of tissue that runs along the inner side of the knee, connecting the thighbone (femur) to the shinbone (tibia). It helps to stabilize the knee joint and prevent excessive side-to-side movement. An MCL injury can occur when the knee is twisted or bent in an awkward position, or when there is a direct impact to the outer side of the knee. Symptoms of an MCL injury may include pain, swelling, and instability of the knee joint.

Another common cause of medial knee pain is a medial meniscus tear. The medial meniscus is a piece of cartilage that cushions the knee joint and helps to distribute weight evenly across the joint. It can become torn or damaged due to injury or wear and tear, which can cause pain, swelling, and stiffness on the inner side of the knee.

Medial knee pain can also be caused by underlying medical conditions such as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. These conditions can cause inflammation and damage to the articular cartilage, which can lead to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility in the knee joint. Other possible causes of medial knee pain include overuse injuries, such as the runner’s knee or iliotibial band syndrome, which can irritate the structures on the inner side of the knee joint.

4. Lateral Knee Pain

Lateral knee pain refers to pain or discomfort that is felt on the outer side of the knee joint. This type of knee pain is often caused by damage or irritation to structures on the outer side of the joint, such as the lateral collateral ligament (LCL), lateral meniscus, or iliotibial (IT) band. Lateral knee pain can be caused by several factors, including injury, overuse, or underlying medical conditions.

One of the most common causes of lateral knee pain is an LCL injury. The LCL is a thick band of tissue that runs along the outer side of the knee, connecting the thighbone (femur) to the fibula bone in the lower leg. It helps to stabilize the knee joint and prevent excessive side-to-side movement.

An LCL injury can occur when the knee is twisted or bent in an awkward position, or when there is a direct impact to the inner side of the knee. Symptoms of an LCL injury may include pain, swelling, and instability of the knee joint.

Another common cause of lateral knee pain is a lateral meniscus tear. The lateral meniscus is a piece of cartilage that cushions the knee joint and helps to distribute weight evenly across the joint. It can become torn or damaged due to injury or wear and tear, which can cause pain, swelling, and stiffness on the outer side of the knee.

Lateral knee pain can also be caused by IT band syndrome, a condition in which the IT band (a band of connective tissue that runs from the hip to the knee) becomes irritated and inflamed. This can occur due to overuse, poor biomechanics (such as excessive pronation of the foot), or weakness in the muscles that support the knee joint. Symptoms of IT band syndrome may include pain or aching on the outer side of the knee, as well as tenderness or tightness along the IT band.

Other possible causes of lateral knee pain include bursitis (inflammation of the bursae, small fluid-filled sacs that cushion the knee joint), osteoarthritis, or rheumatoid arthritis. These conditions can cause inflammation and damage to the cartilage and other structures in the knee joint, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.

Type of Knee Pain	Location	Possible common Causes
Anterior Knee Pain	Front of the knee, around or behind the kneecap	Patellofemoral pain syndrome, chondromalacia patella, patellar tendinitis, osteoarthritis, injury or trauma.
Posterior Knee Pain	Back of the knee	Hamstring strain or injury, baker’s cyst, popliteus tendonitis, osteoarthritis, injury or trauma.
Medial Knee Pain	Inside of the knee	Medial collateral ligament injury (MCL), medial meniscus tear, osteoarthritis, injury or trauma.
Lateral Knee Pain	Outside of the knee	Lateral collateral ligament injury(LCL), lateral meniscus tear, IT band syndrome, bursitis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, injury or trauma.

Note that this table is not an exhaustive list of all possible causes of knee pain and other factors that may contribute to pain in these areas. If you are experiencing knee pain, it’s important to consult with a healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan.