What might cause tingling in the left knee?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Tingling in one knee is often caused by irritation, compression, or injury to nearby nerves—most commonly the peroneal or saphenous nerve. Other potential causes include recent knee surgery, prolonged pressure on the nerve (such as from crossing your legs), or underlying conditions affecting nerve function.

Because tingling in one knee can stem from many different causes—some minor, others requiring medical attention—it's important to identify what's driving your symptoms before deciding on next steps. A free, instant, online symptom check can help you understand possible causes based on your specific symptoms and guide you toward the right care. It takes only a few minutes, requires no sign-up, and gives you clearer direction than guessing on your own.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/15/2026

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Explanation

Tingling in one knee can happen when nerves are hurt or irritated. One possible cause is a peroneal nerve injury, which might come from pressure or a bump near the side of the knee. The peroneal nerve helps with feeling and movement in the leg, so when it is damaged, you might feel tingling or numbness.

Another possible cause is saphenous neuritis. This means that the saphenous nerve, which runs along the inside of your leg, is inflamed or hurt. Sometimes after knee surgery, such as a total knee replacement, patients might have numbness or tingling in the knee because the surgery can sometimes affect nearby nerves. In some cases, the way the incision is made on the skin or the pressure on the nerve during the surgery can lead to these symptoms.

If you notice tingling, you can use a free symptom checker to help identify potential causes, but it's important to follow up with your doctor so they can find the exact reason and suggest the right treatment.

(References)

Updated 2024 Feb 25]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK549859/
Black R, Green C, Sochart D. Postoperative numbness of the knee following total knee arthroplasty. Ann R Coll Surg Engl. 2013 Nov;95(8):565-8. doi: 10.1308/rcsann.2013.95.8.565. PMID: 24165337; PMCID: PMC4311531.
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.

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