Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsPatellofemoral Pain SyndromeChondromalacia PatellaOsteoarthritis of the KneePes Anserine BursitisDiagnosisStep Techniques to Reduce Pain
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
Chondromalacia Patella
Osteoarthritis of the Knee
Pes Anserine Bursitis
Diagnosis
Step Techniques to Reduce Pain
Some individuals experience knee pain when going down stairs. It can be mild and occur periodically, or the pain can be excruciating and frequent. There are a number of conditions that can cause this type of knee pain, particularly ones that affect the kneecap. Issues with other parts of the knee joint can also trigger pain.
This article discusses the common causes ofknee painwhen going down stairs and ways you can help manage this type of pain.
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Patellofemoral pain syndrome(PFPS) is also known as runner’s knee. This condition is known to cause pain around or under the kneecap, which can make it difficult to walk down stairs. This condition can happen in one or both of the knees. Both children and adults can experience PFPS.
Symptoms
Some of the most common symptoms of PFPS include:
These symptoms begin gradually and may get worse over time.
Causes and Risk Factors
Some of the causes of PFPS include:
Chondromalacia patellais the breakdown and softening of the cartilage on the underside of the patella (kneecap). Pain occurs when the thigh bone and kneecap rub together. This pain can worsen when you go up or down stairs.It is a type of patellofemoral pain and can be considered part of patellofemoral pain syndrome.
Some of the symptoms of chondromalacia patella include:
Chondromalacia patella may occur when there is:
Individuals who are at risk of getting chondromalacia patella include people who:
Osteoarthritis(OA) is the most common form of arthritis that affects the knee joint. More common in older people, osteoarthritis happens when tissues in the joints start to break down over time. Knee pain during weight-bearing activities, such as using stairs, can be an early symptom of the condition.
Depending on the severity of OA, some individuals have a lot of pain, while it doesn’t affect the day-to-day activities of others.
When OA in the knee occurs, the cartilage in the knee joint wears away gradually, and the protective space between the bones decreases. Because the cartilage and protective space have decreased, this can result in the bones rubbing together, which creates pain and damage. OA can worsen over time.Pain may slowly increase, or the onset of pain can be abrupt.
The symptoms of OA include:
Women are more likely to develop OA than men.
Pes anserine bursitisoccurs when the pes anserinebursa(a fluid-filled sac on the inside of the lower leg just below the knee joint) becomes inflamed and swollen. This happens when the bursa becomes irritated and makes too much fluid.This can cause knee pain when going up or down stairs.
Symptoms of pes anserine bursitis include:
Pes anserine bursitis usually develops when the bursa becomes irritated, often as a result of overuse or constant friction. The following can increase your risk of developing this condition:
The healthcare provider will administer several tests to determine the diagnosis and best treatment for knee pain. The first step is a physical exam checking for tenderness, swelling, limited range of motion, and instability. X-rays are also commonly done. Additional testing depends on a person’s exam findings and symptoms.
When to See a Healthcare ProviderIf you’re constantly having knee pain walking down stairs, it’s important to see a healthcare professional to receive treatment before it gets worse.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
If you’re constantly having knee pain walking down stairs, it’s important to see a healthcare professional to receive treatment before it gets worse.
How to Make Walking Down the Stairs Not Hurt Your Knees
Medications may include Tylenol (acetaminophen) or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Aleve (naproxen), or Advil (ibuprofen). Weight loss may also help reduce stress on the knee.
Contact your healthcare professional to discuss the proper treatment based on your specific condition. They may recommend other treatment options such asphysical therapy. In some cases, surgery may be required to treat certain knee conditions.
Coping
If you saw a healthcare provider and are still experiencing knee pain walking down stairs, these techniques may help:
Understanding the cause of knee pain will ultimately help you cope. It is important to speak with your healthcare provider to get the best advice and treatment regarding knee pain.
Why Do I Have Knee Pain When Going Up Stairs?
12 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 Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Patellofemoral pain syndrome.John Hopkins Medicine.Patellofemoral pain syndrome (runner’s knee).Cedars-Sinai.Chondromalacia.Levy BJ, Cossell C, Grimm NL, Jimenez AE, Bisson LJ.Chondromalacia patellae: Cartilaginous lesions of the patella in the setting of anterior knee pain.Journal of Cartilage & Joint Preservation. Published online November 2022:100096. doi:10.1016/j.jcjp.2022.100096Hensor EMA, Dube B, Kingsbury SR, Tennant A, Conaghan PG.Toward a clinical definition of early osteoarthritis: onset of patient-reported knee pain begins on stairs. Data from the osteoarthritis initiative: patient-reported activities and knee pain.Arthritis Care & Research. 2015;67(1):40-47. doi:10.1002/acr.22418National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disease.Osteoarthritis.Orthoinfo.Arthritis of the knee.Arthritis Foundation.Osteoarthritis.Arthritis Foundation.Osteoarthritis.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Pes anserine (knee tendon) bursitis.University of Kentucky.RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation).Jones BQ, Covey CJ, Sineath MH.Nonsurgical management of knee pain in adults.Am Fam Physician. 2015;92(10):875-883.
12 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 Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Patellofemoral pain syndrome.John Hopkins Medicine.Patellofemoral pain syndrome (runner’s knee).Cedars-Sinai.Chondromalacia.Levy BJ, Cossell C, Grimm NL, Jimenez AE, Bisson LJ.Chondromalacia patellae: Cartilaginous lesions of the patella in the setting of anterior knee pain.Journal of Cartilage & Joint Preservation. Published online November 2022:100096. doi:10.1016/j.jcjp.2022.100096Hensor EMA, Dube B, Kingsbury SR, Tennant A, Conaghan PG.Toward a clinical definition of early osteoarthritis: onset of patient-reported knee pain begins on stairs. Data from the osteoarthritis initiative: patient-reported activities and knee pain.Arthritis Care & Research. 2015;67(1):40-47. doi:10.1002/acr.22418National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disease.Osteoarthritis.Orthoinfo.Arthritis of the knee.Arthritis Foundation.Osteoarthritis.Arthritis Foundation.Osteoarthritis.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Pes anserine (knee tendon) bursitis.University of Kentucky.RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation).Jones BQ, Covey CJ, Sineath MH.Nonsurgical management of knee pain in adults.Am Fam Physician. 2015;92(10):875-883.
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 Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Patellofemoral pain syndrome.John Hopkins Medicine.Patellofemoral pain syndrome (runner’s knee).Cedars-Sinai.Chondromalacia.Levy BJ, Cossell C, Grimm NL, Jimenez AE, Bisson LJ.Chondromalacia patellae: Cartilaginous lesions of the patella in the setting of anterior knee pain.Journal of Cartilage & Joint Preservation. Published online November 2022:100096. doi:10.1016/j.jcjp.2022.100096Hensor EMA, Dube B, Kingsbury SR, Tennant A, Conaghan PG.Toward a clinical definition of early osteoarthritis: onset of patient-reported knee pain begins on stairs. Data from the osteoarthritis initiative: patient-reported activities and knee pain.Arthritis Care & Research. 2015;67(1):40-47. doi:10.1002/acr.22418National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disease.Osteoarthritis.Orthoinfo.Arthritis of the knee.Arthritis Foundation.Osteoarthritis.Arthritis Foundation.Osteoarthritis.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Pes anserine (knee tendon) bursitis.University of Kentucky.RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation).Jones BQ, Covey CJ, Sineath MH.Nonsurgical management of knee pain in adults.Am Fam Physician. 2015;92(10):875-883.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Patellofemoral pain syndrome.
John Hopkins Medicine.Patellofemoral pain syndrome (runner’s knee).
Cedars-Sinai.Chondromalacia.
Levy BJ, Cossell C, Grimm NL, Jimenez AE, Bisson LJ.Chondromalacia patellae: Cartilaginous lesions of the patella in the setting of anterior knee pain.Journal of Cartilage & Joint Preservation. Published online November 2022:100096. doi:10.1016/j.jcjp.2022.100096
Hensor EMA, Dube B, Kingsbury SR, Tennant A, Conaghan PG.Toward a clinical definition of early osteoarthritis: onset of patient-reported knee pain begins on stairs. Data from the osteoarthritis initiative: patient-reported activities and knee pain.Arthritis Care & Research. 2015;67(1):40-47. doi:10.1002/acr.22418
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disease.Osteoarthritis.
Orthoinfo.Arthritis of the knee.
Arthritis Foundation.Osteoarthritis.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Pes anserine (knee tendon) bursitis.
University of Kentucky.RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation).
Jones BQ, Covey CJ, Sineath MH.Nonsurgical management of knee pain in adults.Am Fam Physician. 2015;92(10):875-883.
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