Doctors Note Logo

Back

Published on: 5/6/2025

What Might Cause Knee Pain When Going Up and Down Stairs?

Knee pain on stairs can be caused by issues like patellofemoral pain syndrome or knee osteoarthritis, which affect the joint and how it moves when you use stairs.

answer background

Explanation

When you go up or down stairs, you bend your knee more than when you walk on level ground. This extra movement can lead to pain if the knee does not work smoothly. One common cause is patellofemoral pain syndrome. This condition means that the joint where the kneecap meets the thigh bone is irritated, especially when the knee is bent during stair climbing. Another reason could be knee osteoarthritis—a joint "wear and tear" problem that makes the knee stiff and painful. Researchers have shown that in people with chronic knee pain, the area of pain (like the front of the knee) plays a role in how severe the symptoms are and how well the knee works. Additionally, different walking or stair-climbing methods may develop as a way to protect the knee, but they can sometimes lead to extra discomfort. Changing the way you move, strengthening the muscles around your knee, or resting the joint might help, but it’s best to discuss these symptoms with a healthcare provider to find the cause and the right way to ease the pain.

(References)

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.