Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesWhen to See a ProviderWalking With PainReducing Pain
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
When to See a Provider
Walking With Pain
Reducing Pain
Knee pain when walking is a common issue that affects people of all ages. Whether the pain is dull or sharp, persistent or occasional, simple activities like walking, bending, or standing can be challenging.
The type of pain you experience might offer clues about its cause—sudden, sharp pain could indicate an injury. At the same time, chronic discomfort might indicate an underlying medical condition. Understanding the root cause of your knee pain is the first step in finding the right treatment and relief.
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Potential Causes
Injuries
Injuries are a leading cause of knee pain when walking. Some common knee injuries include:
Ligament tears:The knee has several ligaments that stabilize the leg, including the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and the medial collateral ligament (MCL). A tear in these ligaments can cause significant pain, especially when walking or bearing weight on the affected knee. ACL injuries are particularly common in athletes who engage in sports requiring sudden stops or direction changes, such as soccer or basketball.
Meniscus tears: The meniscus is a piece of cartilage that acts as a cushion between the thigh bone (femur) and the shinbone (tibia).A meniscus tear often occurs during activities that involve twisting or rotating the knee, such as pivoting during sports. This injury can lead to pain, swelling, and difficulty moving the knee.
Patellar tendonitis: Also known as jumper’s knee, this condition involves inflammation of the patellar tendon, which connects the kneecap (patella) to the shinbone. Patellar tendonitis is common among athletes who jump frequently, but it can also affect anyone who places repetitive strain on the knee.
Runner’s knee: “Patellofemoral pain,” also called runner’s knee, is a term that refers to pain around the kneecap. Overuse, muscle imbalances, or improper footwear often cause this pain. It is common in runners but can affect anyone engaging in activities that stress the knees.
Other injuries that may cause knee pain when walking include:
Medical Conditions
Several medical conditions can cause knee pain, particularly when walking:
Osteoarthritis: A degenerative joint disease that occurs when the cartilage that cushions the ends of bones wears down over time. It is one of the most common causes of knee pain, especially in older adults. The pain associated with osteoarthritis often worsens with activity, making walking painful.
Gout:Gout is a type of arthritis that occurs when uric acid crystals accumulate in the joints, causing sudden, severe pain. Although gout often affects the big toe, it can also cause knee pain, particularly when walking.
Other medical conditions that can cause knee pain when walking are:
Aging
As a person ages, the likelihood of experiencing knee pain increases due to the natural wear and tear on the joints. Some age-related factors that contribute to knee pain include:
When to Contact a Healthcare Provider
If you’re experiencing knee pain, it’s important to know when to seek medical attention. Here are some key situations in which contacting a healthcare provider is recommended:
Self-Care Measures to Try
To help manage knee pain at home and promote healing, consider the following self-care measures:
Should You Continue Walking If You Have Knee Pain?
Whether you should continue walking with knee pain depends on the severity and cause of the pain. If the pain is mild and doesn’t worsen with activity, gentle walking might be beneficial to keep the joint flexible.However, if walking aggravates the pain or if there is swelling or instability, it’s best to rest and consult your healthcare provider before continuing.
Ways to Reduce Knee Pain While Walking
To help alleviate and prevent knee pain while walking, consider these practical tips:
Summary
To wrap things up, managing knee pain while walking starts with understanding what might be causing it, whether it’s an injury, a medical condition, or just aging. Taking steps like warming up before walks, choosing softer surfaces, and using the right footwear can make a big difference. If you’re experiencing persistent or worsening pain, it’s important to see a healthcare provider for proper advice. With these tips, you can help ease your knee pain and keep moving comfortably.
13 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Society of Anesthesiologists.Knee Pain.Medline Plus.Knee pain.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Common knee injuries.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Meniscus tears.Santana JA, Mabrouk A, Sherman AL.Jumpers Knee.In:StatPearls: StatPearls Publishing; 2024Patellofemoral pain syndrome (runner’s knee): Learn more – how can you relieve pain at the front of the knee?Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2024.Medline Plus.Osteoarthritis.Medline Plus.Rheumatoid arthritis.Medline Plus.Gout.NHS.Baker’s cyst.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery.Osgood-Schlatter Disease. (knee pain).Medline Plus.Aging changes in the bones - muscles - joints.Evans J, Mabrouk A, Nielson Jl.Anterior Cruciate Ligament Knee Injury. In:StatPearls:StatPearls Publishing; 2024.
13 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Society of Anesthesiologists.Knee Pain.Medline Plus.Knee pain.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Common knee injuries.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Meniscus tears.Santana JA, Mabrouk A, Sherman AL.Jumpers Knee.In:StatPearls: StatPearls Publishing; 2024Patellofemoral pain syndrome (runner’s knee): Learn more – how can you relieve pain at the front of the knee?Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2024.Medline Plus.Osteoarthritis.Medline Plus.Rheumatoid arthritis.Medline Plus.Gout.NHS.Baker’s cyst.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery.Osgood-Schlatter Disease. (knee pain).Medline Plus.Aging changes in the bones - muscles - joints.Evans J, Mabrouk A, Nielson Jl.Anterior Cruciate Ligament Knee Injury. In:StatPearls:StatPearls Publishing; 2024.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Society of Anesthesiologists.Knee Pain.Medline Plus.Knee pain.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Common knee injuries.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Meniscus tears.Santana JA, Mabrouk A, Sherman AL.Jumpers Knee.In:StatPearls: StatPearls Publishing; 2024Patellofemoral pain syndrome (runner’s knee): Learn more – how can you relieve pain at the front of the knee?Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2024.Medline Plus.Osteoarthritis.Medline Plus.Rheumatoid arthritis.Medline Plus.Gout.NHS.Baker’s cyst.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery.Osgood-Schlatter Disease. (knee pain).Medline Plus.Aging changes in the bones - muscles - joints.Evans J, Mabrouk A, Nielson Jl.Anterior Cruciate Ligament Knee Injury. In:StatPearls:StatPearls Publishing; 2024.
American Society of Anesthesiologists.Knee Pain.
Medline Plus.Knee pain.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Common knee injuries.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Meniscus tears.
Santana JA, Mabrouk A, Sherman AL.Jumpers Knee.In:StatPearls: StatPearls Publishing; 2024
Patellofemoral pain syndrome (runner’s knee): Learn more – how can you relieve pain at the front of the knee?Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2024.
Medline Plus.Osteoarthritis.
Medline Plus.Rheumatoid arthritis.
Medline Plus.Gout.
NHS.Baker’s cyst.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery.Osgood-Schlatter Disease. (knee pain).
Medline Plus.Aging changes in the bones - muscles - joints.
Evans J, Mabrouk A, Nielson Jl.Anterior Cruciate Ligament Knee Injury. In:StatPearls:StatPearls Publishing; 2024.
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