Knee Pain

Knee pain is a common reason patients seek medical evaluation and can affect individuals of all ages. Because the knee plays a central role in walking, standing, and weight-bearing, pain in this joint may significantly interfere with daily activities, work, and exercise. Knee pain can develop gradually over time or occur following activity or injury.

The cause of knee pain is often multifactorial, and proper evaluation is important to determine whether symptoms are mechanical, degenerative, inflammatory, or related to a systemic condition.

What Is Knee Pain?

Knee pain refers to discomfort involving the knee joint and surrounding structures, including cartilage, ligaments, tendons, muscles, and bursae. Pain may be localized to the front, sides, or back of the knee and may worsen with movement or prolonged weight-bearing.

While many cases of knee pain are mechanical or degenerative in nature, inflammatory conditions may also contribute, particularly when pain is persistent, involves swelling, or affects both knees.

Common Symptoms

Symptoms associated with knee pain may include:

• Pain during walking, standing, or climbing stairs
• Stiffness after periods of rest
• Swelling or tenderness around the knee
• Reduced range of motion
• Clicking, popping, or grinding sensations
• Instability or a feeling of the knee “giving way”

Symptom severity and pattern often depend on the underlying cause.

What Causes Knee Pain?

Knee pain may result from a variety of factors, including:

• Degenerative changes in knee cartilage
• Overuse or repetitive strain
• Ligament or tendon inflammation
• Prior knee injuries
• Alignment or biomechanical issues
• Inflammatory joint conditions

Often, more than one factor contributes to symptoms.

How Is Knee Pain Diagnosed?

Diagnosis typically involves a comprehensive clinical evaluation, which may include:

• Review of symptom history and activity limitations
• Physical examination assessing joint movement, strength, and stability
• Imaging studies to evaluate joint structure when appropriate
• Laboratory testing if inflammatory causes are suspected

Accurate diagnosis helps guide targeted and effective treatment.

Treatment Options for Knee Pain

Treatment is individualized and based on the underlying cause. Options may include:

• Activity modification and joint protection strategies
• Physical therapy to strengthen supporting muscles
• Pain management approaches when appropriate
• Targeted injections for symptom relief in select cases
• Advanced therapies for persistent or progressive symptoms
• Infusion-based treatments when knee pain is related to inflammatory disease

Many patients experience improvement with conservative care.

When to See a Rheumatologist

A rheumatology evaluation may be appropriate if you experience:

• Persistent knee pain or swelling
• Stiffness that does not improve with movement
• Symptoms affecting multiple joints
• Unclear cause of ongoing knee discomfort

Specialized assessment can help determine appropriate management.

Our Approach to Treating Knee Pain

Our approach focuses on identifying the underlying contributors to knee pain and developing a personalized care plan. We emphasize symptom relief, functional improvement, and long-term joint health through ongoing monitoring and coordinated care.

When inflammatory conditions are involved, advanced and infusion-based therapies are incorporated as part of a comprehensive treatment strategy.

Schedule a Consultation

If knee pain is limiting your mobility or daily activities, scheduling a consultation can help clarify the cause and explore appropriate treatment options.