Little Known Causes of Knee Pain

Knee pain is extremely common in the United States, and knee osteoarthritis alone accounts for more than 80% of all osteoarthritis, affecting nearly 20% of the population ages 45 and older. 

Outside of arthritis, ligament tears and dislocations are also common drivers of knee pain, but certainly not the only ones. In fact, there are scores of lesser-known conditions that can affect your knees, making finding relief a priority.

At Advanced Spine Care and Pain Management, our team of experienced and compassionate providers understands the impact that knee pain can have on your life, and we offer a wide range of non-surgical solutions to help you regain pain-free movement. 

If you’ve ruled out some of the more common culprits behind knee pain, here’s a look at a few conditions that aren’t as widespread, but are equally as painful.

Arthrofibrosis

This condition occurs on the heels of surgery or trauma to your knees when scar tissue builds up inside the joint. Also called stiff knee syndrome, the primary symptoms aren’t pain, but limited motion.

Iliotibial band syndrome

When your iliotibial band, which stretches from your hip to the outside of your knee, becomes too tight, it can rub against your femur and cause knee pain.

Patellofemoral pain syndrome

This condition describes pain that develops between your kneecap and your thighbone and typically occurs among athletes or younger people who have kneecaps that don’t track properly. As well, this condition can develop in older adults who are struggling with knee osteoarthritis.

Infrapatellar contracture syndrome (IPCS)

This uncommon knee problem develops after knee surgery or an injury, and it limits the range of motion in your knee. With IPCS, you have difficulty extending and flexing your knee due to patella entrapment.

Isolated ganglions of the anterior cruciate ligament

This painful condition occurs when ganglion cysts (noncancerous lumps that are filled with fluid) develop on your anterior cruciate ligament. The pain often attacks when you change directions at a run or when you squat.

Saphenous nerve entrapment

If you have pain inside your knee, a deep ache in your thigh, and/or tingling (pins and needles), it may be due to the entrapment of your saphenous nerve. These symptoms often worsen when you flex your knee if you compress your knee in any way (think knee braces).

There are many other lesser-known causes of knee pain, but the above list gives you a better idea of how many conditions can develop in these complex joints.

Treating uncommon causes of knee pain

Whether your knee pain stems from a common condition like arthritis or a rare problem like the ones we list above, our goal is to help you find relief. The first step toward helping you overcome your knee pain is to undergo a full evaluation of your knee so that we can better understand how to treat the problem.

As pain management specialists, we work with you to come up with the best approach for restoring your mobility and range of motion and relieving your pain.

To get to the bottom of your knee pain, please contact one of our two offices in Staten Island or Hartsdale, New York, to set up an appointment.