Knee Pain
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Try one of these related symptoms.
Have knee pain
Pain behind the knee
Knee swelling
Knee pain when crouching
Knee pain with numbness or tingling in the same leg
Pain when I press the knee
Inner knee pain
Knee injury
Aching in the knee cap
Painful knee when going down stairs
Knee region burning sensation
Unable to put pressure on the knees
About the Symptom
Knee pain can be throughout the joint, in the front, back, either or both sides. The pain may be pressing, sharp or dull in nature.
When to See a Doctor
Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms
- Violaceous / purpuric rash
- Easy bruising
- Vomiting of blood
- Melena (black stools)
- Recent weight loss
- Numbness / sensory disorder
Possible Causes
Generally, Knee pain can be related to:
- Osteoarthritis (OA)
Wear and tear of the joint cartilage over time. Risk factors include repetitive joint movements and carrying heavy loads for many years.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
A chronic inflammatory disease where the body's immune system attacks multiple joints, most commonly in the hands and feet. The cause and trigger is unknown.
- Gout / Pseudogout
Gout and pseudogout are diseases caused by inflammation and crystal accumulation in the joints. Gout results from uric acid crystals, while pseudogout stems from calcium pyrophosphate crystals. Both are marked by sudden, painful swelling in one or more joints. Gout attacks can be triggered by eating purine-rich foods like seafood, alcohol, and red meat, while pseudogout may be due to joint injury, surgery, or immune issues.
- Osteonecrosis
- Lumbar Vertebrae Disk Herniation
- Lumbar Spondylosis
- Osteoporosis
Hypophosphatasia (HPP)
Related Serious Diseases
Sometimes, Knee pain may be related to these serious diseases:
- Septic Arthritis
Septic arthritis is an infection of a joint space. This can be caused by a wound that penetrates the joint allowing bacteria to enter, complications following surgery, or by bacteria traveling from distant sites via the bloodstream into the joint.
- Decompression Sickness
Doctor's Diagnostic Questions
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:
- Are you experiencing knee pain?
- Do you have pain when pressing around your knee?
- Do you have pain behind your knees?
- When did you first notice your knee pain?
- On a scale of 1 to 10, how severe was your knee pain at its worst?
Reviewed By:
Kent C Doan, MD (Orthopedics)
Dr Doan Graduated from the University of Missouri Kansas City School of Medicine and completed residency training in Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Colorado. He completed additional fellowship training in Orthopedic Sports Medicine at the prestigious Steadman Clinic and Steadman Philippon Research Institute in Vail, Colorado. He is a practicing Orthopedic Surgeon who specializes in complex and revision knee and shoulder surgery at the Kansas City Orthopedic Institute. He also holds an assistant professorship at the University of Kansas City.
Tomohiro Hamahata, MD (Orthopedics)
Dr. Hamahata graduated from the Jikei University of Medical Science. After working at Asanokawa General Hospital and Kosei Chuo Hospital, he joined the Department of Orthopedics at Asakusa Hospital in April 2021, specializing in general orthopedics and joint replacement surgery.
Content updated on Jan 29, 2025
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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People with similar symptoms also use Ubie's symptom checker to find possible causes
- My knees don't bend due to both pains
- Starting to walk causes knee pain, but it goes away with more walking
- Need some help getting up from a chair because the knees hurt
- Knee is swollen and the skin is red and hurts
- Red, painful skin over the knee with swelling
- Feeling pain when pressing around the knee
- Can't squat properly because of knee pain
- Stinging or tingling around the knee
- Knee pain with swelling and redness
- Feel tight in the back of the knee
- Outer side of the knee hurts
- Knee aches on the inner side
- Pain in both knees
- Knee does not bend due to left pain
- Knee hurts when I start walking, then gets better as I walk more
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FAQs
Q.
How Long Does It Typically Take for Knee Pain to Resolve?
A.
Knee pain can get better in a few weeks for some people, but for others it might last much longer. The time needed to feel better depends on the cause of the pain and the treatments used.
References:
Collins JE, Yang YH, Opare-Addo MB, Losina E. Quantifying sustained pain worsening in knee osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2023 Jun;31(6):802-808. doi: 10.1016/j.joca.2023.03.012. Epub 2023 Apr 5. PMID: 37024069; PMCID: PMC10200767.
Lespasio MJ, Piuzzi NS, Husni ME, Muschler GF, Guarino A, Mont MA. Knee Osteoarthritis: A Primer. Perm J. 2017;21:16-183. doi: 10.7812/TPP/16-183. PMID: 29035179; PMCID: PMC5638628.
Hunter CW, Deer TR, Jones MR, Chang Chien GC, D'Souza RS, Davis T, Eldon ER, Esposito MF, Goree JH, Hewan-Lowe L, Maloney JA, Mazzola AJ, Michels JS, Layno-Moses A, Patel S, Tari J, Weisbein JS, Goulding KA, Chhabra A, Hassebrock J, Wie C, Beall D, Sayed D, Strand N. Consensus Guidelines on Interventional Therapies for Knee Pain (STEP Guidelines) from the American Society of Pain and Neuroscience. J Pain Res. 2022 Sep 8;15:2683-2745. doi: 10.2147/JPR.S370469. PMID: 36132996; PMCID: PMC9484571.
Q.
What Could Cause Numbness and Tingling in the Knee?
A.
Numbness and tingling in the knee can be due to problems with the nerves, often related to conditions like osteoarthritis or issues with nerves such as the common peroneal nerve.
References:
Fernandes GS, Valdes AM, Walsh DA, Zhang W, Doherty M. Neuropathic-like knee pain and associated risk factors: a cross-sectional study in a UK community sample. Arthritis Res Ther. 2018 Sep 27;20(1):215. doi: 10.1186/s13075-018-1717-6. PMID: 30261907; PMCID: PMC6161431.
Capodici A, Hagert E, Darrach H, Curtin C. An overview of common peroneal nerve dysfunction and systematic assessment of its relation to falls. Int Orthop. 2022 Dec;46(12):2757-2763. doi: 10.1007/s00264-022-05593-w. Epub 2022 Sep 28. PMID: 36169699; PMCID: PMC9674763.
Polat CS, Doğan A, Sezgin Özcan D, Köseoğlu BF, Koçer Akselim S. Is There a Possible Neuropathic Pain Component in Knee Osteoarthritis? Arch Rheumatol. 2017 Apr 24;32(4):333-338. doi: 10.5606/ArchRheumatol.2017.6006. PMID: 29901006; PMCID: PMC5868471.
Q.
What Could Be the Causes of Knee Pain When Bending?
A.
Knee pain when bending can be caused by various factors, including injuries, degenerative conditions, and structural abnormalities. Identifying the specific cause is essential for effective treatment and management.
References:
Kuwabara A, Fredericson M. Narrative: Review of Anterior Knee Pain Differential Diagnosis (Other than Patellofemoral Pain). Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med. 2021 Jun;14(3):232-238. doi: 10.1007/s12178-021-09704-9. Epub 2021 Apr 5. PMID: 33818700; PMCID: PMC8137785.
Calmbach WL, Hutchens M. Evaluation of patients presenting with knee pain: Part II. Differential diagnosis. Am Fam Physician. 2003 Sep 1;68(5):917-22. PMID: 13678140.
Duong V, Oo WM, Ding C, Culvenor AG, Hunter DJ. Evaluation and Treatment of Knee Pain: A Review. JAMA. 2023 Oct 24;330(16):1568-1580. doi: 10.1001/jama.2023.19675. PMID: 37874571.
Atanda A Jr, Ruiz D, Dodson CC, Frederick RW. Approach to the active patient with chronic anterior knee pain. Phys Sportsmed. 2012 Feb;40(1):41-50. doi: 10.3810/psm.2012.02.1950. PMID: 22508250.
Q.
What Might Prevent Me From Putting Pressure on a Bent Knee?
A.
Pain, swelling, joint instability, or muscle problems from injuries can make it hard to put pressure on a bent knee. These issues often make the knee feel weak or hurt when you try to use it.
References:
InformedHealth.org](http://informedhealth.org/) [Internet]. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2006-. In brief: How does the knee work? [Updated 2024 Mar 8]. Available from: [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK561512/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK561512/
Yamamoto H, Okamatsu S, Kitagawa K, Wada C. Effect of Knee Orthosis Pressure Variation on Muscle Activities during Sit-to-Stand Motion in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Jan 25;19(3):1341. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19031341. PMID: 35162362; PMCID: PMC8835671.
Updated 2023 Nov 17]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499848/
Q.
What Could Cause an Inability to Put Pressure on the Kneecap?
A.
Difficulty putting pressure on the kneecap may occur when the kneecap isn’t moving correctly; this might be due to instability or damage to the cartilage behind the kneecap. Bursitis or tendinitis of the knee may also contribute to this problem.
References:
Kelly MA, Insall JN. Historical perspectives of chondromalacia patellae. Orthop Clin North Am. 1992 Oct;23(4):517-21. PMID: 1408036.
Updated 2023 Sep 4]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482427/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482427/
Updated 2023 Sep 4]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482427/
Q.
Can Knee Pain Lead to Numbness in the Leg?
A.
Yes, knee problems can sometimes cause numbness in the leg because nerves near the knee may become irritated or injured, leading to numbness or tingling sensations.
References:
Lezak B, Massel DH, Varacallo MA. Peroneal Nerve Injury. [Updated 2024 Feb 25]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK549859/
Polat CS, Doğan A, Sezgin Özcan D, Köseoğlu BF, Koçer Akselim S. Is There a Possible Neuropathic Pain Component in Knee Osteoarthritis? Arch Rheumatol. 2017 Apr 24;32(4):333-338. doi: 10.5606/ArchRheumatol.2017.6006. PMID: 29901006; PMCID: PMC5868471.
Kulshrestha V, Sood M, Kumar S, Kumar P, Stanley A, Padhi PP, Sharma S. Numbness Following Total Knee Arthroplasty: Role of Incision Length And Position - A Randomized Study. Clin Orthop Surg. 2023 Feb;15(1):59-70. doi: 10.4055/cios21140. Epub 2022 Nov 30. PMID: 36778989; PMCID: PMC9880504.
Shetty T, Nguyen JT, Sasaki M, Wu A, Bogner E, Burge A, Cogsil T, Dalal A, Halvorsen K, Cummings K, Su EP, Lyman S. Risk factors for acute nerve injury after total knee arthroplasty. Muscle Nerve. 2018 Jun;57(6):946-950. doi: 10.1002/mus.26045. Epub 2018 Mar 12. PMID: 29266269; PMCID: PMC5951729.
Q.
What Could Cause an Inability to Put Pressure on the Knee?
A.
Many things like fluid build-up in the knee (knee effusion) and joint wear and tear (osteoarthritis) can make it hard to put pressure on the knee.
References:
Updated 2024 Feb 26]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532279/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532279/
Lespasio MJ, Piuzzi NS, Husni ME, Muschler GF, Guarino A, Mont MA. Knee Osteoarthritis: A Primer. Perm J. 2017;21:16-183. doi: 10.7812/TPP/16-183. PMID: 29035179; PMCID: PMC5638628.
Thirumaran AJ, Deveza LA, Atukorala I, Hunter DJ. Assessment of Pain in Osteoarthritis of the Knee. J Pers Med. 2023 Jul 14;13(7):1139. doi: 10.3390/jpm13071139. PMID: 37511752; PMCID: PMC10381750.
Q.
What Could Prevent Me From Putting Pressure on My Knee When Kneeling?
A.
Problems like knee arthritis, tendinitis, recent knee surgery, or an inflamed bursa (a fluid-filled sac that cushions the knee) can make it hard to press on your knee when you kneel.
References:
InformedHealth.org](http://informedhealth.org/) [Internet]. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2006-. Osteoarthritis of the knee: Learn More – What can you do to strengthen your knees? [Updated 2024 May 15]. Available from: [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK544978/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK544978/
Wylde V, Artz N, Howells N, Blom AW. Kneeling ability after total knee replacement. EFORT Open Rev. 2019 Jul 7;4(7):460-467. doi: 10.1302/2058-5241.4.180085. PMID: 31423329; PMCID: PMC6667980.
Updated 2024 Jan 4]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557508/
Q.
What Could Cause a Burning Sensation Inside the Knee?
A.
A burning feeling inside the knee could come from nerve irritation or an inflamed fluid sac (bursitis), or tendinitis or arthritis. It may be linked to conditions that cause nerve changes or inflammation in the knee.
References:
Fernandes GS, Valdes AM, Walsh DA, Zhang W, Doherty M. Neuropathic-like knee pain and associated risk factors: a cross-sectional study in a UK community sample. Arthritis Res Ther. 2018 Sep 27;20(1):215. doi: 10.1186/s13075-018-1717-6. PMID: 30261907; PMCID: PMC6161431.
Updated 2024 Jan 4]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557508/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557508/
Kuwabara A, Fredericson M. Narrative: Review of Anterior Knee Pain Differential Diagnosis (Other than Patellofemoral Pain). Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med. 2021 Jun;14(3):232-238. doi: 10.1007/s12178-021-09704-9. Epub 2021 Apr 5. PMID: 33818700; PMCID: PMC8137785.
Kuwabara A, Fredericson M. Narrative: Review of Anterior Knee Pain Differential Diagnosis (Other than Patellofemoral Pain). Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med. 2021 Jun;14(3):232-238. doi: 10.1007/s12178-021-09704-9. Epub 2021 Apr 5. PMID: 33818700; PMCID: PMC8137785
Q.
What Can Cause Pain When Pressing on the Inside of the Knee?
A.
Pain when pressing on the inside of the knee can be caused by inflammation or irritation of tissues like a bursa or nerve, such as in pes anserine bursitis or saphenous neuritis.
References:
Lerew S, Stoker S, Nallamothu S. The Rules of Four: A Systematic Approach to Diagnosing Common Musculoskeletal Conditions of the Knee. Spartan Med Res J. 2020 Jan 30;4(2):11765. doi: 10.51894/001c.11765. PMID: 33655173; PMCID: PMC7746119.
Duong V, Oo WM, Ding C, Culvenor AG, Hunter DJ. Evaluation and Treatment of Knee Pain: A Review. JAMA. 2023 Oct 24;330(16):1568-1580. doi: 10.1001/jama.2023.19675. PMID: 37874571.
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.
Updated 2024 Jan 29]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532941/
Q.
What Should I Do When My Knee Starts to Hurt?
A.
When your knee hurts, it may help to rest, ice, and protect it, and if the pain keeps coming back or gets worse, you should talk to your doctor.
References:
Updated 2023 Jun 26]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507884/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507884/
Updated 2024 Feb 26]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532279/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532279/
InformedHealth.org](http://informedhealth.org/) [Internet]. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2006-. Overview: Patellofemoral pain syndrome (runner’s knee) [Updated 2024 Jan 30]. Available from: [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK561507/
Q.
What Could Cause Knee Pain When Moving It in a Particular Way?
A.
Knee pain with a certain movement can happen because parts of the knee—like the cartilage, ligaments, or tendons—might be worn down, inflamed, or injured. This can occur with conditions such as tendinitis, osteoarthritis, patellofemoral pain syndrome, or injury-related issues.
References:
Berteau JP. Knee Pain from Osteoarthritis: Pathogenesis, Risk Factors, and Recent Evidence on Physical Therapy Interventions. J Clin Med. 2022 Jun 7;11(12):3252. doi: 10.3390/jcm11123252. PMID: 35743322; PMCID: PMC9224572.
Duong V, Oo WM, Ding C, Culvenor AG, Hunter DJ. Evaluation and Treatment of Knee Pain: A Review. JAMA. 2023 Oct 24;330(16):1568-1580. doi: 10.1001/jama.2023.19675. PMID: 37874571.
D'Ambrosi R, Meena A, Raj A, Ursino N, Hewett TE. Anterior Knee Pain: State of the Art. Sports Med Open. 2022 Jul 30;8(1):98. doi: 10.1186/s40798-022-00488-x. PMID: 35907139; PMCID: PMC9339054.
Q.
What Could Cause Pain in the Kneecap When Pressure Is Applied?
A.
Kneecap pain from pressure can be caused by patellar tendinitis, patellofemoral pain syndrome (also called runner’s knee), patellar malalignment (when the kneecap does not move correctly), or chondromalacia patella (when the cartilage under the kneecap weakens)
References:
InformedHealth.org](http://informedhealth.org/) [Internet]. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2006-. Overview: Patellofemoral pain syndrome (runner’s knee) [Updated 2024 Jan 30]. Available from: [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK561507/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK561507/
Updated 2023 Feb 13]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557657/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557657/
Wu CC. Patellar malalignment: A common disorder associated with knee pain. Biomed J. 2023 Oct;46(5):100658. doi: 10.1016/j.bj.2023.100658. Epub 2023 Sep 5. PMID: 37678711; PMCID: PMC10550501.
Updated 2023 Apr 22]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459195/
Q.
What Could Cause Pain When Twisting the Knee?
A.
Pain when twisting the knee may be caused by injuries to important knee structures such as the anterior cruciate ligament, lateral collateral ligament, or irritation of a small fold of tissue called a plica.
References:
Gupte C, St Mart JP. The acute swollen knee: diagnosis and management. J R Soc Med. 2013 Jul;106(7):259-68. doi: 10.1177/0141076813482831. PMID: 23821708; PMCID: PMC3704066.
Updated 2023 Nov 17]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499848/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499848/
Updated 2023 Apr 10]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK535362/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK535362/
Yaras RJ, O'Neill N, Mabrouk A, et al. Lateral Collateral Ligament Knee Injury. [Updated 2024 Feb 27]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560847/
Q.
What Might Cause Knee Pain When Pressed On?
A.
Knee pain you feel when pressing on it might come from problems like bursitis, tendinitis, arthritis, extra fluid build-up, or injured tissues around the knee.
References:
Duong V, Oo WM, Ding C, Culvenor AG, Hunter DJ. Evaluation and Treatment of Knee Pain: A Review. JAMA. 2023 Oct 24;330(16):1568-1580. doi: 10.1001/jama.2023.19675. PMID: 37874571.
Updated 2024 Feb 26]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532279/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532279/
Updated 2023 Jun 26]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507884/
Q.
What Could Cause Numbness on the Side of the Knee?
A.
Numbness on the side of the knee can happen when small skin nerves are hurt, especially during knee surgery like a knee replacement or high tibial osteotomy.
References:
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.
Phruetthiphat OA, Apinyankul R, Chanpoo M, Chotanaphuti T, Kosuwan W, Callaghan JJ. Anterior skin numbness after total knee arthroplasty: A prospective comparison study between diabetic and non-diabetic patients. J Orthop. 2020 Mar 25;22:12-16. doi: 10.1016/j.jor.2020.03.017. PMID: 32273667; PMCID: PMC7132145.
Tanavalee A, Limtrakul A, Veerasethsiri P, Amarase C, Ngarmukos S. Area of Skin Numbness After Total Knee Arthroplasty: Does Minimally Invasive Approach Make Any Difference From Standard Approach? J Arthroplasty. 2016 Nov;31(11):2499-2503. doi: 10.1016/j.arth.2016.04.002. Epub 2016 Apr 15. PMID: 27184467.
Kim KI, Juh HS, Kim GB, Lee SH. Lateral numbness in the lower leg: An underestimated complication following medial open-wedge high tibial osteotomy. Knee. 2019 Oct;26(5):1041-1048. doi: 10.1016/j.knee.2019.07.002. Epub 2019 Jul 23. PMID: 31350156.
Q.
What Might Cause Tingling in the Left Knee?
A.
Tingling in one knee may be caused by irritation or injury to nearby nerves, such as the peroneal or saphenous nerve. It may also be due to surgery or pressure on the nerve.
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/
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.
Kulshrestha V, Sood M, Kumar S, Kumar P, Stanley A, Padhi PP, Sharma S. Numbness Following Total Knee Arthroplasty: Role of Incision Length And Position - A Randomized Study. Clin Orthop Surg. 2023 Feb;15(1):59-70. doi: 10.4055/cios21140. Epub 2022 Nov 30. PMID: 36778989; PMCID: PMC9880504.
Q.
What Could Cause Numbness in the Right Knee?
A.
Numbness in one knee may occur when a nerve is injured or compressed. This can happen from trauma, surgery, or conditions that compress on nerves that surround the knee area.
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/
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.
Lee JH, Jun JB, Lee HS, Yun HR, Choi CH, Park SB, Hong EK, Yoo DH, Kim SY. Posterior tibial neuropathy by a Baker's cyst: case report. Korean J Intern Med. 2000 Jan;15(1):96-8. doi: 10.3904/kjim.2000.15.1.96. PMID: 10714101; PMCID: PMC4531743.
Blikman T, Rienstra W, van Raay JJAM, Dijkstra B, Bulstra SK, Stevens M, van den Akker-Scheek I. Neuropathic-like symptoms and the association with joint-specific function and quality of life in patients with hip and knee osteoarthritis. PLoS One. 2018 Jun 14;13(6):e0199165. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0199165. PMID: 29902245; PMCID: PMC6002060
Q.
What Might Cause Tingling in the Right Knee?
A.
Tingling in one knee can happen when nerves are irritated or injured, and it may be related to conditions like knee injury, tendinitis, surgery, or arthritis.
References:
Fernandes GS, Valdes AM, Walsh DA, Zhang W, Doherty M. Neuropathic-like knee pain and associated risk factors: a cross-sectional study in a UK community sample. Arthritis Res Ther. 2018 Sep 27;20(1):215. doi: 10.1186/s13075-018-1717-6. PMID: 30261907; PMCID: PMC6161431.
Szwedowski D, Ambroży J, Grabowski R, Dallo I, Mobasheri A. Diagnosis and treatment of the most common neuropathies following knee injuries and reconstructive surgery - A narrative review. Heliyon. 2021 Sep 22;7(9):e08032. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e08032. PMID: 34611563; PMCID: PMC8477214.
Blikman T, Rienstra W, van Raay JJAM, Dijkstra B, Bulstra SK, Stevens M, van den Akker-Scheek I. Neuropathic-like symptoms and the association with joint-specific function and quality of life in patients with hip and knee osteoarthritis. PLoS One. 2018 Jun 14;13(6):e0199165. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0199165. PMID: 29902245; PMCID: PMC6002060.
Q.
What Could Cause a Burning Sensation in the Knee at Night?
A.
A burning knee can sometimes be caused by tendinitis or arthritis flares or nerve-related conditions like erythromelalgia, which may be more noticeable at night.
References:
InformedHealth.org](http://informedhealth.org/) [Internet]. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2006-. Overview: Osteoarthritis of the knee. [Updated 2024 May 15]. Available from: [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK544982/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK544982/
Murphy SL, Lyden AK, Kratz AL, Fritz H, Williams DA, Clauw DJ, Gammaitoni AR, Phillips K. Characterizing Pain Flares From the Perspective of Individuals With Symptomatic Knee Osteoarthritis. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2015 Aug;67(8):1103-11. doi: 10.1002/acr.22545. PMID: 25580697; PMCID: PMC4641239.
Updated 2023 May 1]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557787/
Q.
What Might Cause Knee Numbness and Pain When Kneeling?
A.
Knee numbness and pain when kneeling typically occurs due to nerve compression from positioning. These symptoms usually resolve when you change position.
References:
Paczesny L., Zabrzynski J., Kentzer R., Gryckiewicz S., Lewandowski B., Szwedowski D., Kruczynski J. A 10-year follow-up on arthroscopic medial plica syndrome treatments with special reference to related cartilage injuries. Cartilage. 2019 doi: 10.1177/1947603519892310
Gurler D, Buyukceran I. Is the Numbness after Knee Replacement a More Critical Complication Than Thought? A Detailed Analysis of Neuropathic Pain and Functional Outcomes. Medicina (Kaunas). 2022 Sep 29;58(10):1369. doi: 10.3390/medicina58101369. PMID: 36295530; PMCID: PMC9611732.
Hosahalli G, Sierakowski A, Venkatramani H, Sabapathy SR. Entrapment Neuropathy of the Infrapatellar Branch of the Saphenous Nerve: Treated by Partial Division of Sartorius. Indian J Orthop. 2017 Jul-Aug;51(4):474-476. doi: 10.4103/0019-5413.209954. PMID: 28790478; PMCID: PMC5525530.
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https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/knee-pain/Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons ():10.5435/JAAOS-D-23-00342, August 21, 2023. | DOI: 10.5435/JAAOS-D-23-00342