What Causes Pain on the Inner Side of My Knee?

Introduction

Inner knee pain can affect daily activities. Understanding its causes, symptoms, and treatments is crucial for effective relief.

Key Takeaways

• Common Causes: Injuries like MCL tears, meniscus tears, osteoarthritis, and bursitis are primary causes of inner knee pain.

• Symptoms: Pain, swelling, stiffness, and instability are typical signs of inner knee pain.

• Treatment Options: Include rest, physical therapy, medications, and, if necessary, surgical intervention.

• Prevention: Strengthening exercises, proper footwear, and correct technique during activities can help prevent inner knee pain.

• Medical Attention: Seek a doctor if pain persists, if there’s severe swelling, or if the knee feels unstable.

What Are the Common Causes of Inner Knee Pain?

These are some of the causes of pain in the inner aspect of the knee:

1. Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) Injury

The MCL is an important structure that is like a strip of tissue that covers the inside part of your knee. Most of the MCL injuries are a result of contact sports or direct impacts, and twisting movements. This can cause either a tearing or a strain of the knee and this brings pain, inflammation, and instability to the knee.

2. Meniscus Tear

The meniscus is a C-shaped rubbery pad of cartilage that lies between the thighbone and the shinbone. A tear in the medial meniscus which is located on the inner side of the knee is usually common with athletes or older people. These tears can be of sudden occurrence or due to gradual wear and tear of the joint and present with pain, swelling, and reduced range of movement of the knee.

3. Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is essentially a degenerative disease that moves within the knee joint affecting the cartilage it contains. When these cartilage erodes, the bones of the joint could grind against each other thus resulting in pain and stiffness. Osteoarthritic inner knee pain is not a rare phenomenon, which predominantly affects the middle-aged and elderly population, including patients with single or combined-loading knee deformity.

4. Pes Anserine Bursitis

The pes anserine bursa is a small, fluid-filled sac located on the inner side of the knee, where three tendons meet the shinbone. When this bursa becomes inflamed, often due to overuse or improper technique in sports, it can cause pain, tenderness, and swelling on the inner knee.

5. Plica Syndrome

The plica is a fold in the thin tissue that lines your knee joint. Sometimes, this tissue can become irritated or inflamed, leading to a condition known as plica syndrome. This can cause pain on the inner side of the knee, particularly during activities like climbing stairs or squatting.

6. Knee Contusion

A direct blow to the knee, such as from a fall or impact during sports, can result in a knee contusion or bruise. This can cause localized pain, particularly on the inner side of the knee, along with swelling and discoloration.

7. Medial Plica Irritation

The medial plica is a fold of tissue in the inner part of the knee. When irritated or inflamed, it can cause pain on the inside of the knee, particularly with movement. This condition is often seen in athletes and can be exacerbated by repetitive activities that involve bending the knee.

What Are the Symptoms of Inner Knee Pain?

The symptoms associated with inner knee pain can vary depending on the underlying cause. However, common symptoms include:

1. Pain: The most obvious symptom, which may be sharp, dull, or aching, and can worsen with activity or prolonged periods of sitting or standing.

2. Swelling: The knee may appear swollen due to inflammation or fluid buildup.

3. Tenderness: The inside of your knee may be tender to the touch.

4. Stiffness: You may find it hard to move your knee, especially after sitting for a while.

5. Instability: A sensation of your knee can give way, specifically if the MCL is torn.

6. Clicking or Popping: Some problems, such as a meniscus tear, can cause an audible clicking sound when you move your knee.

What Are the Treatment Options for Inner Knee Pain?

The treatment of inner knee pain will therefore depend on the cause of the pain. Options range from conservative treatments to surgical interventions:

1. Rest and Activity Modification

Bear weight as much as possible and avoid activities that tend to make the knee worse will go a long way in alleviating the symptoms. This may also be accompanied by the prescription of crutches or knee brace to prevent pressure on the area of the injury.

2. Physical Therapy

Inner knee pain can be relieved through physical therapy. A physical therapist shall assist you in performing some exercises that help in the contraction of muscles around the knee joint, increase the flexibility of the joint as well as increase the stability of the joint. Other treatment methods that might also be offered are the use of ultrasound or electrical stimulation to relieve the pain and inflammation.

3. Medications

Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, can help manage pain and reduce inflammation. In some cases, your doctor may prescribe stronger medications or corticosteroid injections to alleviate severe pain.

4. Cold and Heat Therapy

Icing mellows the inflammation and knocks out nerve sensation while heating it limbers up muscles and promotes blood flow. Your doctor may advise that you switch between cold and heat applications based on the type of pain you are experiencing.

5. Orthotics and Bracing

If your inner knee pain is coming from implied alignment or inner knee instability, your doctor may prescribe you orthotics, which are inserted into your shoes, or knee-bracing.

6. Surgical Intervention

If conservative measures are not effective a surgical intervention may be required. Depending on the cause of your inner knee pain, surgical options may include:

• Arthroscopy: An operation that can be performed arthroscopically, to fix or to remove a tissue that has been injured, for instance, a meniscus.

• Ligament Reconstruction: They include; surgical procedures for managing a torn MCL through repair or reconstruction.

• Partial or Total Knee Replacement: For patients with severely affected knees, and minimum osteoarthritis, knee replacement is done to get rid of pain and to have normal functioning limbs.

How Can You Prevent Inner Knee Pain?

Inner knee pain can be avoided by ensuring optimal external rotation hip mobility and stability. We want to list down the possible preventive measures here:

1. Strengthening Exercises: Focus on strengthening the muscles around the knee, including the quadriceps, hamstrings, and calves, to improve joint stability.

2. Flexibility Training: Include stretching movements in your routine to keep the knee joint flexible.

3. Wear appropriate footwear: Supportive shoes with good cushioning and correct arch support, especially during physical activity.

4. Provide Rest: Plan periods for your knees to rest & recover between high-intensity exercises, and prevent overuse from repetitive movements that can stress the knee.

5. Right Technique: Always follow proper form and technique while doing any sports or physical activity to avoid getting injured.

When Should You Seek Medical Attention?

If you experience persistent inner knee pain that doesn’t improve with rest or over-the-counter treatments, it’s important to seek medical attention. Other signs that warrant a doctor’s visit include:

• Severe pain or swelling
• Inability to bear weight on the knee
• A feeling of instability or that the knee is giving way
• Signs of infection, such as redness, warmth, or fever
  
  
  

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for inner knee pain to heal?

The healing time for inner knee pain varies depending on the cause and severity. Mild injuries may heal within a few weeks with rest and proper care, while more severe conditions, such as ligament tears or osteoarthritis, may take several months and require ongoing treatment.

Why does my inner knee hurt without swelling?

Pain in the inner knee that is not associated with redness or inflammation may be caused by overuse, injury to the ligaments, or early decomposition of the articular cartilage of the knee joint. It would also occur in conditions such as plica syndrome or nerve irritation where there is little or no inflammation.

How do I know if my knee pain is serious?

Knee pain is considered to be severe if it is chronic, worsening or causes features such as severe swelling, inability to use the limb, or redness and warmth suggestive of infection. In such situations, it is wise to consult a doctor for diagnosis and treatment of the situation.

Should you exercise with knee pain?

Exercise can be beneficial for knee pain, but it’s crucial to choose low-impact activities that don't exacerbate the pain. Strengthening exercises, stretching, and gentle movements can help improve knee function. However, if the pain worsens with exercise, it's best to stop and consult with a healthcare provider.