Doctors Note Logo

Back

Published on: 5/6/2025

Why Does Knee Pain Occur When Squatting and Standing Up?

Knee pain during squatting and standing up often happens because of extra pressure on the kneecap and surrounding tissues due to how the knee joint moves and muscle forces are applied during these actions.

answer background

Explanation

When you squat or stand up, your knee bears a lot of weight and moves through a wide range of angles. If your knee is not aligned properly or if your muscles are not strong or flexible enough, the kneecap (patella) might not move smoothly. This can lead to extra pressure on the joint and hurt the tissues around it, which is one possible cause of pain. Studies have shown that different types of squats, such as those performed on a decline board, change the way the muscles around your knee work. Changes in muscle activity and the forces across the knee joint may overload the patellofemoral area (the area where your kneecap joins the thigh bone), leading to discomfort. In other words, if your body isn’t using the right muscles at the right time, or if you use a squat technique that puts too much strain on the knee, you may experience pain, especially when transitioning from the squat to standing up. Good technique, balanced muscle strength, and proper alignment are important to help minimize this knee pain.

(References)

  • Pereira PM, Baptista JS, Conceição F, Duarte J, Ferraz J, Costa JT. Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome Risk Associated with Squats: A Systematic Review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Jul 28;19(15):9241. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19159241. PMID: 35954598; PMCID: PMC9367913.

  • Lee D, Lee S, Park J. Impact of decline-board squat exercises and knee joint angles on the muscle activity of the lower limbs. J Phys Ther Sci. 2015 Aug;27(8):2617-9. doi: 10.1589/jpts.27.2617. Epub 2015 Aug 21. PMID: 26357447; PMCID: PMC4563327.

  • Straub RK, Powers CM. A Biomechanical Review of the Squat Exercise: Implications for Clinical Practice. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2024 Apr 1;19(4):490-501. doi: 10.26603/001c.94600. PMID: 38576836; PMCID: PMC10987311.

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.