Knee Pain

The Anatomy of Knee Pain

How the Knee Works

The term knee pain is one used to describe the symptoms created by a wide variety of knee conditions or disorders. In order to understand how it occurs and why, a basic understanding of how the knee functions is in order.

As one of the largest and most complex joints in humans, the knee forms the connection between the femur (commonly referred to as the thigh bone) and the tibia (also called the shin bone). In addition to these, the fibula, a smaller bone that runs alongside the tibia and the patella (the kneecap) also join with the tibia and femur to create the bones of the knee joint. In order to prevent this intersection of bones from rubbing together and causing knee pain, there is a significant amount of cartilage as well as muscles, ligaments and tendons that strengthen and protect the bones of the knee joint. When functioning normally, the intricately designed knee joint allows for fluid daily motions that are responsible for our ability walk, crouch, jump and turn at any given moment.

Is Knee Pain ‘Normal?’

Though it may be common in some types of people – athletes and the elderly, for example (though usually for different reasons), knee pain is never “normal.” Although this joint is designed to withstand a great deal, it is still vulnerable to injury and disease.

No matter the severity of pain in the knee – from general soreness or achiness to sharp or stabbing pain, it is crucial to determine the source of the pain as soon as possible. From degenerative conditions like osteoarthritis of the knee to acute injuries like an ACL injury, determining the precise cause of the knee pain is important not only in stopping it but also in preventing further damage to the knee over time.

The Many Faces of Knee Pain

However it is felt, no one should just “live with” knee pain. Whether it’s a feeling of instability, like your knee just might decide to “give out,” or a pain so severe you’re limping - these knee pain symptoms warrant evaluation and diagnosis from a trained, skilled and experienced knee pain specialist. Our goal is to solve the problem that is causing the symptoms, before it becomes knee pain so severe that it is disabling and preventing you from living a life you enjoy.