ITB Syndrome
Iliotibial band (ITB) syndrome is a common overuse injury that affects the iliotibial band, a thick band of connective tissue that runs along the outside of the thigh. This syndrome occurs when the ITB becomes tight or inflamed, leading to pain and discomfort, typically on the outer side of the knee and sometimes along the thigh.
Click on the Menu above to find out more about your pain.
Causes
- Overuse or repetitive stress: Activities that involve repetitive knee bending and straightening, such as running, cycling, hiking, or prolonged walking.
- Muscle Imbalance: Weakness or tightness in the muscles surrounding the hip and knee, such as the glutes, quadriceps, and hip abductors.
- Improper Training Techniques: Sudden increases in training intensity or duration without proper conditioning.
- Anatomical Factors: Structural abnormalities, such as leg length discrepancies or abnormal hip alignment, that can affect the biomechanics of the knee and ITB.
- Footwear or running surfaces: Wearing worn-out shoes or running on uneven or hard surfaces.
Symptoms
- Pain: Sharp or burning pain on the outer side of the knee or thigh during activity, which may worsen with prolonged movement.
- Swelling: Occasionally, there may be swelling or thickening of the ITB at the knee joint.
- Tenderness: Tenderness over the outer side of the knee, especially when pressing on the ITB.
- Crepitus: A crackling or popping sensation over the outer knee when bending or straightening the leg.
Pes Anserine Bursitis
Pes anserine bursitis, also known as pes anserine tendinobursitis or anserine bursitis, is a condition characterized by inflammation of the pes anserine bursa located on the inner side of the knee, just below the knee joint. This condition typically causes pain and tenderness in the area where the tendons of the hamstring muscles insert into the shinbone (tibia).
Causes
- Overuse or repetitive stress: Activities that involve repeated bending and straightening of the knee, such as running, cycling, or stair climbing.
- Muscle Imbalances: Weakness or tightness in the muscles of the thigh and lower leg, particularly the hamstrings, quadriceps, and calf muscles.
- Obesity: Excess body weight can increase stress on the knee joint and contribute to bursitis.
- Poor Biomechanics: Abnormalities in walking or running gait that affect knee alignment and mechanics.
- Direct Trauma: Injury or blow to the inner side of the knee.
- Osteoarthritis: Degenerative changes in the knee joint can sometimes lead to bursitis.
Symptoms
- Pain: Deep, aching pain on the inner side of the knee, just below the joint. Pain may worsen with activities that stress the knee, such as climbing stairs or getting up from a chair.
- Tenderness: Localized tenderness over the pes anserine bursa, which may be sensitive to touch.
- Swelling: Mild to moderate swelling over the inner knee.
- Stiffness: Difficulty fully straightening or bending the knee due to discomfort.
- Pain At Rest: In some cases, nerve compression can lead to sensations of numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs or arms.to fractures, including in the spine.
Patellafemoral Pain Syndrome
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS), also known as runner's knee or anterior knee pain, is a common knee condition characterized by pain around or behind the patella (kneecap). It typically occurs due to problems with the alignment of the patella as it moves along the groove at the end of the thigh bone (femur). Here’s an overview of PFPS:
Causes
- Overuse or repetitive stress: Activities that involve repeated bending and straightening of the knee, such as running, cycling, or stair climbing.
- Muscle Imbalances: Weakness or tightness in the muscles of the thigh and lower leg, particularly the hamstrings, quadriceps, and calf muscles.
- Flat Feet or High Arches: Foot abnormalities that affect the alignment and mechanics of the knee joint.
- Poor Biomechanics: Abnormalities in walking or running gait that affect knee alignment and mechanics.
- Trauma: Injury or blow to the inner side of the knee.
- Joint Overload: Excessive weight-bearing activities or sudden increases in training intensity.
Symptoms
- Pain: Deep, aching pain on the inner side of the knee, just below the joint. Pain may worsen with activities that stress the knee, such as climbing stairs or getting up from a chair.
- Crepitus: Crackling or grinding sensation when moving the knee joint.
- Swelling: Mild to moderate swelling over the inner knee.
- Stiffness: Difficulty fully straightening or bending the knee due to discomfort.
- Pain With Activities: Pain may increase with activities that involve bending the knee, such as climbing stairs or kneeling.
Knee Osteoarthritis
OA is primarily caused by wear and tear on the knee joint over time, leading to the breakdown of cartilage, the cushioning tissue that covers the ends of bones in joints.
Risk Factors
- Age: OA becomes more common with age.
- Obesity: Excess weight increases stress on the knee joints.
- Joint Injury: Previous knee injuries or surgeries can predispose individuals to OA.
- Genetics: Family history of OA can increase susceptibility.
- Gender: Women are more likely to develop knee OA compared to men.
Symptoms
- Pain: Deep, aching pain on the inner side of the knee, just below the joint. Pain may worsen with activities that stress the knee, such as climbing stairs or getting up from a chair.
- Crepitus: Crackling or grinding sensation when moving the knee joint.
- Swelling: Mild to moderate swelling over the inner knee.
- Stiffness: Difficulty fully straightening or bending the knee due to discomfort.
- Pain With Activities: Pain may increase with activities that involve bending the knee, such as climbing stairs or kneeling.
Meniscus Tears
A meniscus tear is a common knee injury that involves the tearing of the fibrocartilage meniscus in the knee joint. The menisci are C-shaped pieces of tough, rubbery cartilage that act as shock absorbers between the thighbone (femur) and shinbone (tibia). They help distribute body weight across the knee joint and stabilize the knee during movements.
Causes
- Acute Trauma: Sudden twisting or rotating of the knee joint while bearing weight, common in sports activities.
- Degenerative Changes: Gradual wear and tear over time, often seen in older adults.
- Age related issues: The meniscus weakens and becomes more brittle with age, making it prone to tears.
Symptoms
- Pain: Deep, aching pain on the inner side of the knee, just below the joint. Pain may worsen with activities that stress the knee, such as climbing stairs or getting up from a chair.
- Popping Sensations: Some individuals may hear or feel a pop at the time of injury.
- Swelling: Mild to moderate swelling over the inner knee.
- Stiffness: Difficulty fully straightening or bending the knee due to discomfort.
- Locking or Catching: Some individuals may hear or feel a pop at the time of injury.