How Can a Knee Pain Location Chart Help in Diagnosing the Issue?

Reviewed by Garrett Kneese, MD, MPH

Family Medicine

A knee pain location chart helps doctors see exactly where your knee hurts. This can guide them to figure out what might be causing the pain and choose the right tests and treatments.

Explanation

A knee pain location chart is like a simple drawing of a knee where you mark the spot that hurts. By using this chart, doctors can tell if the pain is in the front, back, or on the sides of your knee. Different areas of the knee can be linked to different problems. For example, pain at the front might mean there is an issue with the kneecap or arthritis, while pain on the side might point to ligament or tendon problems. Some studies even show that other conditions, like diabetes, can change where knee pain is felt. When you mark the pain, the doctor can ask more focused questions and order special tests like an ultrasound to look closely at that area. Using the chart over time also helps doctors see if the pain moves or changes, which is important for finding the best treatment. This simple tool makes it much easier for doctors to understand your pain and make a plan that might include exercises, medicines, or other therapies to help you feel better.

(References)

Alenazi AM, Alshehri MM, Alothman S, Alqahtani BA, Rucker J, Sharma NK, Bindawas SM, Kluding PM. The Association of Diabetes With Knee Pain Locations, Pain While Walking, and Walking Speed: Data From the Osteoarthritis Initiative. Phys Ther. 2020 Oct 30;100(11):1977-1986. doi: 10.1093/ptj/pzaa144. PMID: 32750122; PMCID: PMC7596886.
Updated 2023 Jan 29]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK556098/
Basha MAA, Eldib DB, Aly SA, Azmy TM, Mahmoud NEM, Ghandour TM, Aly T, Mostafa S, Elaidy AM, Algazzar HY. Diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography in the assessment of anterior knee pain. Insights Imaging. 2020 Oct 1;11(1):107. doi: 10.1186/s13244-020-00914-2. PMID: 33000350; PMCID: PMC7527384.
Kittelson AJ, Stevens-Lapsley JE, Schmiege SJ. Determination of Pain Phenotypes in Knee Osteoarthritis: A Latent Class Analysis Using Data From the Osteoarthritis Initiative. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2016 May;68(5):612-20. doi: 10.1002/acr.22734. PMID: 26414884; PMCID: PMC5388442.

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