MedicineNet.com

About Us | Privacy Policy | Site Map
February 10, 2012

home > arthritis center > arthritis a-z list > knee pain index

Knee Pain Symptoms

Symptom Checker: Symptoms & Signs Index

Terms related to Knee Pain:

Arthralgia, Knee
Pain, Knee

Medical Author: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Related Symptoms & Signs

Knee pain can be a result of injury or disease of the knee joint. Injury can affect any of the ligaments, bursae, or tendons surrounding the knee joint. Injury can also affect the ligaments, cartilage, menisci (plural for meniscus), and bones within the joint. The complexity of the design of the knee joint and the fact that it is an active weight-bearing joint are factors in making the knee one of the most commonly injured joints.

Pain can also occur in the knee from diseases or conditions that involve the knee joint, the soft tissues and bones surrounding the knee, or the nerves that supply sensation to the knee area. In fact, the knee joint is the most commonly involved joint in rheumatic diseases, immune diseases that affect various tissues of the body, including the joints to cause arthritis.

For additional symptoms and signs, please visit our Symptom Checker index.

Main Articles on Knee Pain

Knee Pain

Causes of Knee Pain

Ankylosing Spondylitis Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of arthritis that causes chronic inflammation of the spine. The tendency to develop ankylosing...learn more »
Arthritis Arthritis is inflammation of one or more joints. When joints are inflamed they can develop stiffness, warmth, swelling, redness...learn more »
Aseptic Necrosis Aseptic necrosis (avascular necrosis or osteonecrosis) is a condition that develops when blood supply diminishes to an area of...learn more »
Bursitis Bursitis is inflammation of a bursa. A bursa is a tiny fluid-filled sac that functions as a gliding surface to reduce friction...learn more »
Bursitis of the Knee Bursitis of the knee results when any of the three fluid-filled sacs (bursae) become inflamed due to injury or strain. Symptoms...learn more »
Chondromalacia Patella (Patellofemoral Syndrome) Chondromalacia patella (housemaid's knee or secretary's knee) results from misalignment of the kneecap as it slides over the...learn more »
Crohn's Disease Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory disease, primarily involving the small and large intestine, but which can affect...learn more »
Hypermobility Syndrome The joint hypermobility syndrome is a condition in which the joints easily move beyond the normal range expected for a particular...learn more »
Iliotibial Band Syndrome Iliotibial band syndrome is an overuse injury of the thigh and knee. Symptoms include knee pain and possible swelling. Treatment...learn more »
Juvenile Arthritis (Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis) Juvenile arthritis (juvenile rheumatoid arthritis or JRA) annually affects one child in every thousand. There are three types of...learn more »
Knee Injury Knee injuries, especially meniscus tears, are common in contact sports. Symptoms and signs of a torn meniscus include knee pain,...learn more »
Lupus Systemic lupus erythematosus is a condition characterized by chronic inflammation of body tissues caused by autoimmune disease....learn more »
Lyme Disease Lyme disease is a bacterial illness, which is spread by ticks when they bite the skin. Initially the disease affects the skin...learn more »
Osgood-Schlatter Disease Osgood-Schlatter disease, a painful inflammation just below the knee but above the shin, typically affects adolescent boys....learn more »
Osteoarthritis Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis caused by inflammation, breakdown, and eventual loss of cartilage in the joints. Also...learn more »
Osteochondritis Dissecans With osteochondritis dissecans, bone and its adjacent cartilage loses its blood supply. Though osteochondritis dissecans can...learn more »
Psoriatic Arthritis Psoriatic arthritis is a disease that causes skin and joint inflammation. Symptoms include painful, stiff, and swollen joints,...learn more »
Reactive Arthritis Reactive arthritis is a chronic, systemic rheumatic disease characterized by three conditions, including conjunctivitis, joint...learn more »
Rheumatoid Arthritis Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints, the tissue around the joints, as...learn more »
Sarcoidosis Sarcoidosis, a disease resulting from chronic inflammation, causes small lumps (granulomas) to develop in a great range of body...learn more »
Sever Condition Sever condition is an inflammation of the growth plate of the bone at the back of the heel where the Achilles tendon attaches....learn more »
Sickle Cell Disease (Sickle Cell Anemia) Sickle cell anemia (sickle cell disease), a blood disease which shortens life expectancy, is cause by an inherited abnormal...learn more »
Still's Disease Still's disease (Systemic-Onset Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis) is a disorder characterized by inflammation with high fever...learn more »
Torn ACL The anterior cruciate ligament helps to prevent the top and bottom of the knee from sliding back and forth. Symptoms and signs of...learn more »
Torn Meniscus A torn meniscus (knee cartilage) may be caused by suddenly stopping, sharply twisting, or deep squatting or kneeling when lifting...learn more »
Ulcerative Colitis Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammation of the colon. Symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding....learn more »