What Could Cause a Burning Sensation Inside the Knee?

Sometimes, your knee might feel like it’s burning because the nerves in the area are irritated. This is called neuropathic pain when the nerves send signals that feel like burning. Studies have shown that some people with knee pain have symptoms that seem to come from the nerves rather than just the joint. In addition, a condition called bursitis can cause a burning feeling. Bursae are small, fluid-filled sacs that help cushion the knee. When one of these sacs, such as in the front of the knee (prepatellar bursitis), gets inflamed, you might feel a burning or tender pain. Other common causes are tendinitis or arthritis, which are inflammation of the knee tendons or joints respectively. This can happen after injury, overuse, or may be due to other health problems. Even if the pain is deep inside the knee, other nearby structures like tendons or ligaments might be involved, and their irritation can feel similar. If you have a burning sensation in your knee that worries you, it may help to talk with a healthcare provider who can check the knee and suggest ways to reduce the pain.