What might cause pain behind the knee when walking down stairs?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Pain behind the knee when walking down stairs is often linked to patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS), a common condition where stress on the kneecap and surrounding tissues causes discomfort. Descending stairs places extra load on the knee joint, which can trigger or worsen this pain. Other possible causes include a Baker's cyst, hamstring tendinopathy, or meniscus injury.

Because knee pain has many possible causes—some minor, some requiring medical attention—it's important to identify what's actually driving your symptoms before choosing a treatment path. A free, instant, online symptom check can help you narrow down likely causes based on your specific symptoms and guide you toward the right next steps, whether that's self-care, seeing a physical therapist, or consulting a doctor.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/14/2026

Important Next Steps

Discover causes of pain behind knee See if your knee pain needs care Find out what’s causing your stair pain Find OTC relief for knee pain Find a knee pain specialist nearby Learn medically proven home remedies for knee pain Understand if knee pain signals something serious

Not seeing your question? No worries.

Submit your own Question

Explanation

When you walk downstairs, your knee has to work harder because it bends a lot, putting extra stress on the joint and the soft tissues around your knee. This can lead to a problem called patellofemoral pain syndrome. Changes in the way you walk, known as altered gait patterns, can also increase the stress on the knee, making the pain worse. If this pain continues or gets worse, you can check your symptoms with our free AI-powered tool to better understand what might be causing your discomfort. A healthcare professional can suggest treatments like rest, ice, exercises to strengthen the leg muscles, or other methods to help improve the way your knee moves and relieve the pain.

(References)

Gaitonde DY, Ericksen A, Robbins RC. Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome. Am Fam Physician. 2019 Jan 15;99(2):88-94. PMID: 30633480.
Arazpour M, Bahramian F, Abutorabi A, Nourbakhsh ST, Alidousti A, Aslani H. The Effect of Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome on Gait Parameters: A Literature Review. Arch Bone Jt Surg. 2016 Oct;4(4):298-306. PMID: 27847840; PMCID: PMC5100443.
Updated 2023 Apr 22]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459195/

Thinking about asking ChatGPT?Ask me instead

Tell your friends about us.

We would love to help them too.

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.

Was this page helpful?

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.