Knee Pain Location Chart: Inner and Outer Knee Pain

Knee pain is one of the most common complaints from people of all ages. Having knee pain can significantly hinder your everyday activities and whether if you are an athlete an active adult or an older adult experiencing joint discomfort. The location of your knee discomfort may help you determine the best course of treatment and determine the underlying cause.

This article will address the several areas of the knee that could hurt, along with any possible causes and treatments. We have also included a basic knee pain location chart to help you identify the possible source of your problem.

Anatomy of the Knee

Let us take a brief look at the structure of the knee before getting into particular pain areas. One of the body most intricate joints is your knee. It consists of

• Bones : The patella ‘kneecap’ tibia ‘shin bone’ and femur ‘thigh bone’ all meet at the knee joint.
• Cartilage : Cartilage facilitates smooth mobility and serves as a cushion for the knee joint.
• Ligaments : The PCL posterior cruciate ligament and ACL anterior cruciate ligament are two examples of the powerful bands of tissue that hold the bones together.
• Tendons : They facilitate mobility by joining muscles to bones.
• Menisci : Between your femur and tibia there are two C shaped pieces of cartilage that serve as shock absorbers.

Knee Pain Location Chart

Location of Pain	Possible Causes	Additional Symptoms
Front (Anterior)	Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome, Tendinitis, Bursitis	Swelling, difficulty with stairs
Inside (Medial)	Meniscus Tear, MCL Injury, Osteoarthritis	Pain with twisting, stiffness
Outside (Lateral)	IT Band Syndrome, LCL Injury, Lateral Meniscus Tear	Tightness, pain during running
Back (Posterior)	Baker’s Cyst, Hamstring Tendonitis, PCL Injury	Swelling, difficulty bending knee
All Around	Osteoarthritis, Ligament Injuries, Knee Bursitis	General pain, instability, stiffness

Common Sources of Knee Pain by Location

Now let’s examine the various knee locations and potential causes of pain in each.

1. Anterior Knee Pain at the Front of the Knee
If you feel pain directly behind your kneecap at the front of your knee you may be:

• Athletes frequently get patellofemoral pain syndrome also known as runners knee which is frequently brought on by overuse or kneecap misalignment.
• Tendinitis : Inflammation of the tendons, especially the patellar tendon which joins the shinbone to the kneecap.
• Chondromalacia Patellae : This is the cartilage on the underside of the kneecap deteriorating and degrading.

2. Inside of the Knee (Medial Knee Pain)

The following are common causes of pain on the inside of your knee:

• A medial meniscus tear may result from abrupt twisting or bending over. Those who engage in strenuous physical labor or athletics frequently experience it.
• MCL Injury : Sports involving abrupt direction changes or direct strikes to the knee can cause damage to this ligament, which runs along the inside of the knee.
• Osteoarthritis : As people age arthritis is the most common cause of medial knee discomfort. The cause of discomfort and stiffness is cartilage degradation.
• Pes Anserine Bursitis : The bursa beneath the joint on the inside of the knee becomes inflamed. Overuse or incorrect movement patterns are frequently linked to this.

3. Outside of the Knee

Pain on the outside of the knee is often brought on by:

• The iliotibial (IT) band extends from the hip to the shin on the outside of the leg and this condition is known as IT Band Syndrome. Pain in the outer knee especially in runners, might result from this band being inflamed or too tight.
• Lateral Meniscus Tear : Sudden twisting movements can cause the lateral meniscus to tear, just like they can the medial meniscus.
• Lateral Collateral Ligament Injury (LCL) : Though less frequent injuries to this ligament—which supports the exterior of the knee—can result from trauma, such as a direct blow to the inside of the knee.
• Osteoarthritis : Just as it can affect the medial side of the knee, arthritis can also affect the lateral side causes pain

4. Back of the Knee

While it is less frequent, pain behind the knee can nevertheless occur for the following reasons:

• A meniscus tear or arthritis are the usual causes of Bakers cyst a swelling behind the knee that is filled with fluid. Bending the knee may cause pain and tightness due to the cyst.
• Tendonitis in the hamstring muscles : inflammation in the tendons that connect to the rear of the knee. Tightness in the hamstring muscles or overuse may be to blame for this.
• Injury to PCL : ACL injuries are more common than posterior cruciate ligament injuries, but damage to the latter can result in pain in the back of the knee particularly following a direct hit to the front of the knee.

5. All-Around Knee Pain

There are situations where pain is not localized. This could suggest:

• Osteoarthritis : As previously noted, arthritis can produce pain and stiffness all around the knee making it challenging to target a specific area.
• Knee Bursitis : Depending on which of the knees bursae—small sacs packed with fluid—is inflamed, the condition may cause pain throughout the knee.
• Ligament Injuries : An ACL tear, for example is a more significant ligament injury that can result in knee instability and discomfort all over the place.

How to Get Relief from Knee Pain?

You should try the following to maintain the health of your knees and prevent further pain:

• Exercises for Strengthening : To increase the support for your knee joint concentrate on strengthening your hamstrings quadriceps and calf muscles.
• Flexibility : Stretching is a great way to target your hamstrings and IT band in particular.
• Weight control : Keeping your weight in check might help your knees endure less strain.
• The Right Shoes : If you are active or frequently on your feet, choose shoes with adequate support.
• Warm-up : Prior to engaging in any physical activity, always warm up. During exercise utilize appropriate form.

Disclaimer

The information in this article should not be used as a substitute for expert medical advice, diagnosis or treatment; rather, it is meant mainly for general educational purposes. As much as we would like to provide current, accurate information, there are some conditions and treatments for knee pain that are not covered in this guide. Whatever questions you may have about a medical condition or available treatment and you should always see your doctor or another certified health expert. Nothing in this essay should induce you to ignore or put off obtaining expert medical advice.

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