Pain occurring inside the knee is called Inside Knee Pain or medial knee pain. An injury that occurs suddenly, usually due to trauma, is acute. Overuse is one of the leading causes of chronic knee injuries.
Pain on the inner of your knee
Several knee injuries or diseases can cause knee pain, a common symptom. The portion of your knee closest to the opposite knee is known as the medial compartment, often known as the medial compartment of your knee.
It is common for cartilage to deteriorate as the source of medial knee pain. It may occur after a knee trauma such as a sports injury or another.
The complexity of the knee, one of the body’s most complicated joints, makes it susceptible to injury. Four bones, four ligaments, multiple tendons, two menisci, and cartilage come together at the knee.
Causes of inside knee pain
Inner knee pain can have several different causes. A lot of them have a connection to injuries. Falling, being hurt playing sports, or becoming more active are some of the most frequent causes of knee soreness and injury.
The majority of those who will have knee problems are adults, especially those over 60. The soreness inside the knee can, however, affect kids and teenagers as well.
- Injury to your knee that forces your knee inward, such as a blow to the outside
- Activities in which your knees twist or pivot suddenly, such as skiing or rugby
- Sports requiring a lot of knee use, such as cycling, gymnastics, and breaststroke swimming
- As you get older, your knee joints become more worn out.
The American Academy of Family Physicians states that the following causes are most common in children:
- Subluxation of the patella
- Jumper’s knee, also known as patellar tendonitis
- Diseases such as Osgood-Schlatter’s
Symptoms Of knee pain
Different people may have different types of knee pain.
- A moderate ache, a scorching soreness, or severe pain are all possible symptoms.
- You might have pain when squatting, climbing stairs, or straightening your leg, among other actions. It may also come and go.
- Depending on what is causing your pain, you can also experience other symptoms.
- You could have swelling, or certain injuries could cause your knee to snap or become immobile (lock).
Some of the most common and possible causes of inside knee pain are the following.
1. Osteoarthritis (OA)
The bones in your joints grind together because of osteoarthritis, a degenerative disease that destroys cartilage.
When you put pressure on your joints, such as walking up and down stairs or sitting down in a chair, you may feel inside knee pain. You may experience more severe daily symptoms as this pressure causes pain.
2. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
Inside knee pain can also be caused by rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an autoimmune disease.
Joint inflammation caused by RA often causes severe inner knee pain in the morning, which subsides throughout the day.
3. Medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury
The medial collateral ligament (MCL) runs along the outside to stabilize your inner knee. Sprains of the MCL can result from overstretching the ligament.
There is also the possibility of tearing the MCL partially or fully. An injury to the MCL often occurs when a force is applied to the outer knee, such as during contact sports.
There are several symptoms of an MCL injury, including:
- Inflammation
- Walking or standing with instability
- Knees locked
- When the impact occurs, there is a popping sound
4. Medial meniscus injury
The meniscus is a cartilage layer between the bones that supports osteoarthritis joints. A meniscus consists of two pieces in each knee.
Between your shinbones and thighbones, they serve as cushions.
Rotating your knee or putting pressure on it during athletic activities can damage your meniscus.
Meniscus tears can be classified into four major types:
- Straps for buckets
- Fold up
- Rotational
- Deficiency
Your injury may also result in the following symptoms:
- Deficiency of flexibility
- When you twist your knee, you feel a sharp pain
- Knees locked up
- An unbalanced feeling
5. Pes anserine bursitis
A bursa is a small, fluid-filled sac located between joints, which reduces friction. Throughout your body, you have several bursae.
You also have three tendons in your knees: sartorius, gracilis, and semitendinosus, all of which are covered by bursae. Collectively, they are known as the pes anserinus.
It can cause swelling and pressure on your knee if the bursa becomes overused or irritated. Inflammation of the pes anserine bursa is known as pes anserine bursitis.
There are several causes of pes anserine bursitis, according to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons:
- OA
- Overweight
- Tissue damage to the medial meniscus
- Standing or walking with your knee or lower leg turned out
- Muscle tightness in the hamstrings
6. Medial plica irritation
There are small folds in the lining of the joints called plica. Medial plica covers your inner knee. It can irritate the medial plicae if you overuse your knee, such as repeatedly flexing it.
Consequently, the folds become thicker and stick closer together. There is also a possibility that you may hear a cracking sound and experience dull inner knee pain.
7. Knee contusion
The knee bone can be bruised if you suffer a direct blow, such as falling hard or hitting a blunt object. Knee contusions are also known as these injuries.
You can experience knee pain when you are hit on the inner knee. Knee contusions can also cause the following symptoms:
- Skin bruises
- Inflammation
- Knee pain when bending
- Instability
Treatment of inside knee pain
Many knee injuries are treatable at home and with the right equipment.
- Painkillers
- Physiotherapy
- Surgery
These are treatments for inner knee pain. Your knee’s condition will determine whether you need treatment and what treatment you receive. In cases of cartilage damage (a meniscus tear) or osteoarthritis that causes severe pain, surgery may be necessary. An injury to a ligament may only require physiotherapy.
You should see a doctor if you have a more serious injury. Depending on the cause of your pain, your doctor may recommend more involved treatment methods.