What are the potential causes of inner knee pain?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Inner knee pain, also called medial knee pain, is often caused by damage to cartilage (such as a meniscus tear), inflammation of surrounding soft tissues like tendons or bursae, or nerve irritation affecting the inside of the knee. Common triggers include sports injuries, arthritis, overuse, and sudden twisting movements.

Because inner knee pain can stem from many different conditions—some minor, others requiring prompt care—identifying the underlying cause early is key to faster relief and preventing long-term damage. A quick, free, and confidential symptom check can help you understand possible causes based on your specific symptoms and guide you on the best next steps, whether that's home care, seeing a doctor, or seeking urgent attention.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/14/2026

Important Next Steps

Discover causes of inner knee pain Learn if knee pain needs care See if it could be serious Find OTC relief for inner knee pain Find a doctor for knee pain Understand home remedies for inner knee pain Check symptoms behind your inner knee pain

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Explanation

There are a few reasons you might feel pain on the inside of your knee: Saphenous Neuritis:

This is when a nerve near the inner knee becomes inflamed.
The inflammation can cause pain and discomfort in that area.

Meniscal Tears:

The meniscus is a piece of cartilage that cushions your knee.
If it gets torn, it can cause pain and make it hard to move your knee.

Medial Meniscocapsular Separations:

This is when small tears happen where the meniscus connects to the knee.
These tears can lead to long-lasting pain on the inner side of your knee.

Medial Plica Syndrome:

Some people have extra tissue in their knee called a plica.
If this tissue gets irritated or thickened, it can hurt inside the knee.

If you are experiencing inner knee pain, it's important to talk to a doctor. To help identify what might be causing your discomfort, you can start by taking a free symptom checker test that provides personalized insights based on your symptoms.

(References)

Hetsroni I, Lillemoe K, Marx RG. Small medial meniscocapsular separations: a potential cause of chronic medial-side knee pain. Arthroscopy. 2011 Nov;27(11):1536-42. doi: 10.1016/j.arthro.2011.06.025. Epub 2011 Sep 19. PMID: 21937194.
Bellary SS, Lynch G, Housman B, Esmaeili E, Gielecki J, Tubbs RS, Loukas M. Medial plica syndrome: a review of the literature. Clin Anat. 2012 May;25(4):423-8. doi: 10.1002/ca.21278. PMID: 22331585.
Morganti CM, McFarland EG, Cosgarea AJ. Saphenous neuritis: a poorly understood cause of medial knee pain. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2002 Mar-Apr;10(2):130-7. doi: 10.5435/00124635-200203000-00008. PMID: 11929207.

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