What might cause lower inner knee pain?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Lower inner knee pain is most commonly caused by two conditions: pes anserine bursitis, which is inflammation of the small fluid-filled sac (bursa) located on the inner side of the knee, and saphenous neuritis, which is irritation or entrapment of the saphenous nerve as it travels along the inner knee and lower leg. Both conditions can cause tenderness, aching, or sharp pain below and inside the kneecap, often worsening with activity, stair climbing, or prolonged sitting.

Because these conditions share overlapping symptoms with other knee problems like meniscus tears, MCL strains, or arthritis, identifying the exact cause on your own can be difficult—and the right treatment depends entirely on the correct diagnosis. Taking a free, instant, online symptom check can help you understand what's likely driving your pain, what red flags to watch for, and which type of care to seek next. It's a fast, private first step toward getting real answers and relief.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/14/2026

Important Next Steps

Discover causes of lower inner knee pain Learn if knee pain needs care today See if inner knee pain is serious Find OTC options for knee pain relief Find a doctor for knee pain Understand home remedies for knee pain Discover if knee pain needs urgent care

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Explanation

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. If you're experiencing inner knee pain and want to better understand what might be causing your symptoms, try Ubie's free AI symptom checker for personalized insights in just a few minutes. 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.

(References)

Updated 2024 Jan 29]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532941/
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.
English S, Perret D. Posterior knee pain. Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med. 2010 Jun 12;3(1-4):3-10. doi: 10.1007/s12178-010-9057-4. PMID: 21063493; PMCID: PMC2941578.

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