What Might Cause Lower Inner Knee Pain?

One common cause of pain on the inner side of the knee is pes anserine bursitis. This happens when the bursa—a small, cushioned sac where tendons attach—gets inflamed. This inflammation may result from overuse, injury, or conditions like obesity, causing pain and tenderness around the inner knee. Another possible cause is saphenous neuritis, where the saphenous nerve (a nerve that runs near the inner knee) becomes irritated or inflamed. This irritation can lead to pain, tingling, or burning sensations along the inner part of the knee. Sometimes, other issues such as early joint wear or small injuries can also contribute to this type of pain. To understand the cause better, a careful exam and sometimes imaging studies or other tests are needed. This information is meant to be educational and can help explain why lower inner knee pain might occur and what might be happening in the knee area.