Published on: 4/28/2025
Pain when pressing on the inside of the knee can be caused by inflammation or irritation of tissues like a bursa or nerve, such as in pes anserine bursitis or saphenous neuritis.
When you press on the inside of your knee, it might hurt because the soft tissues in that area are irritated. One common cause is pes anserine bursitis. This happens when a small, fluid-filled sac called a bursa, which sits near where three tendons come together on the inner knee, gets swollen and inflamed. Another possible cause is saphenous neuritis, where the saphenous nerve, a small nerve running along the inside of your knee, becomes irritated, leading to pain. Other possibilities can include issues with the medial collateral ligament (MCL) or a tear in the meniscus, but these usually hurt more than just tenderness only on pressing. In simple terms, sometimes the pain is like a red, swollen spot that gets sore when touched because a part of the knee is dealing with irritation from overuse or injury. Knowing the exact cause can help in choosing the right treatment, but a doctor would need to examine you for a clear diagnosis.
(References)
Lerew S, Stoker S, Nallamothu S. The Rules of Four: A Systematic Approach to Diagnosing Common Musculoskeletal Conditions of the Knee. Spartan Med Res J. 2020 Jan 30;4(2):11765. doi: 10.51894/001c.11765. PMID: 33655173; PMCID: PMC7746119.
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.
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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