Doctors Note Logo

Back

Published on: 5/6/2025

What Are the Most Common Causes of Knee Pain?

Knee pain is usually caused by joint wear and tear, injuries, and inflammation. These issues can come from aging, overuse, or accidents, which can hurt the knee in different ways.

answer background

Explanation

Knee pain happens for many reasons. One of the most common causes is osteoarthritis. This type of pain comes from the gentle rubbing of bones as the protective cartilage wears down over time. This is often seen in older adults, but can happen in younger people after an injury. Injuries like torn ligaments, strained tendons, or damage to the meniscus (the cushion inside the knee) can also hurt the joint. These can occur during sports or accidents and may cause pain, swelling, or difficulty moving the knee. In addition, inflammation in the joint, known as arthritis, can cause knee pain. Some people have rheumatoid arthritis, a condition where the body's immune system attacks the joint tissues. Overuse, such as repeated bending or high-impact activities, may lead to conditions like tendinitis or bursitis, which are painful. Sometimes, even simple activities like walking on hard surfaces can stress the knee. Overall, these causes highlight why taking care of our joints, avoiding injury, and seeking proper treatment when hurt is very important for keeping Our knees are healthy.

(References)

  • Duong V, Oo WM, Ding C, Culvenor AG, Hunter DJ. Evaluation and Treatment of Knee Pain: A Review. JAMA. 2023 Oct 24;330(16):1568-1580. doi: 10.1001/jama.2023.19675. PMID: 37874571.

  • Bunt CW, Jonas CE, Chang JG. Knee Pain in Adults and Adolescents: The Initial Evaluation. Am Fam Physician. 2018 Nov 1;98(9):576-585. PMID: 30325638.

  • Vanneste T, Belba A, Oei GTML, Emans P, Fonkoue L, Kallewaard JW, Kapural L, Peng P, Sommer M, Vanneste B, Cohen SP, Van Zundert J. 9. Chronic knee pain. Pain Pract. 2025 Jan;25(1):e13408. doi: 10.1111/papr.13408. Epub 2024 Sep 1. PMID: 39219017; PMCID: PMC11680467.

  • Hsu H, Siwiec RM. Knee Osteoarthritis. 2023 Jun 26. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan–. PMID: 29939661.

Tell your friends about us.

We would love to help them too.

smily Shiba-inu looking

For First Time Users

What is Ubie’s Doctor’s Note?

We provide a database of explanations from real doctors on a range of medical topics. Get started by exploring our library of questions and topics you want to learn more about.

Learn more about symptoms

Knee pain

Not sure about the cause of your current symptoms?

AI Symptom Check

Try our AI-based symptom checker

With an easy 3-min questionnaire, you can get a free AI-powered report on possible causes


Tips to try:

  • Provide specific, detailed info about all symptoms you have.
  • Give accurate information about yourself including current conditions.
  • Answer all follow-up questions

Purpose and positioning of servicesUbie Doctor’s Note is a service for informational purposes. The provision of information by physicians, medical professionals, etc. is not a medical treatment. If medical treatment is required, please consult your doctor or medical institution. We strive to provide reliable and accurate information, but we do not guarantee the completeness of the content. If you find any errors in the information, please contact us.