Knee pain

Knee pain is discomfort arising from the knee joint or the ligaments, tendons, cartilage and bursae that surround it.

The knee is a hinge joint that carries body weight through every step, so it is one of the most common sites of joint complaint. Pain can follow an acute injury such as a ligament sprain or meniscus tear, or develop gradually from overuse, tendon irritation, bursitis or the cartilage wear of osteoarthritis. Typical features include aching or sharp pain with movement, stiffness after rest, swelling, clicking, and a sense that the joint may give way.

Assessment usually starts with a history of how the pain began and a physical examination of range of motion, stability and tenderness. Imaging such as X-ray or MRI is added when a structural problem is suspected. Knee pain affects people of every age, with sports injuries more common in younger adults and osteoarthritis more common later in life. Cannabinoids have been studied in knee osteoarthritis, and results from controlled trials have been mixed, so no established use exists.