Why Is Knee Pain Such a Common Problem?
- One of the leading reasons patients cannot carry out normal daily activities
- The knee bears body weight almost constantly
- Thai lifestyle habits — such as sitting cross-legged, kneeling, or squatting — accelerate cartilage deterioration
- Large numbers of patients visit doctors for knee pain, with some requiring emergency care
What Are the Two Main Types of Knee Pain?
- Acute knee pain — comes on suddenly, usually caused by impact, injury, or accident such as torn ligaments or cartilage
- Chronic knee pain — develops over time, most commonly caused by osteoarthritis or other inflammatory joint conditions
What Does the Knee Joint Look Like?
The knee joint is made up of 4 bones: the femur (thigh bone), two lower leg bones, and the kneecap (patella). Another key component is the articular cartilage that lines the joint surface. The inner lining of the joint produces synovial fluid, which lubricates the joint. Surrounding muscles provide strength and assist movement, while the outer joint capsule and ligaments stabilize the joint. Blood vessels and nerves also supply this area.
The knee moves primarily in one plane — bending and straightening — with only minimal movement in other directions, unlike joints such as the shoulder or hip that rotate more freely. The cartilage continuously repairs itself under normal load and movement. Strengthening the surrounding muscles and ligaments, and avoiding excessive or abnormal stress on the knee, can significantly reduce the risk of injury.
What Types of Injuries Can Cause Knee Pain?
- Common across many sports, especially among elite football players
- Lateral ligament tears — most often caused by impact in football, basketball, and skiing
- Anterior ligament injuries — typically from tripping or sudden changes in speed
- Posterior ligament tears — less common as it is stronger than the anterior ligament, but can still be damaged in accidents
Knee Pain from Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is one of the most common conditions among older adults, and the number of patients continues to grow. The severity varies from person to person. Common causes and risk factors include:
- Being overweight
- Being over 40 years of age
- Prolonged standing or sitting with bent knees
- Bow-legged or knock-kneed alignment
- Weakened muscles around the knee due to injury
- Poor nutrition
- Menopause in women
- Intra-articular injections
- Other joint conditions such as gout or rheumatoid arthritis
How Should You Care for Yourself with Knee Osteoarthritis?
- Control and reduce your weight — studies show that weight loss directly correlates with a slower rate of knee degeneration
- Avoid positions that strain the knees — such as squatting, sitting cross-legged, kneeling, and going up and down stairs
- Use a knee brace — especially when standing or walking
- Use a cane or walking aid to reduce pressure on the knees
- Take medication as prescribed by your doctor
- Exercise and strengthen the knee regularly through appropriate exercises
Knee Pain from Sports
Sports-related knee pain is commonly caused by damage to the cartilage surface of the kneecap (patella). This often occurs when the kneecap is abnormally shaped, or when a person runs excessively or with poor technique — causing the kneecap to move unevenly during knee extension and flexion.
Repeated stress gradually damages the cartilage surface of the kneecap. The more the knee is bent — such as when running uphill, downhill, or on steep inclines — the greater the compression on the kneecap, accelerating cartilage damage.
Another common contributing factor is weak thigh muscles, which fail to keep the kneecap properly aligned. During movement, the kneecap rubs against the knee joint, causing further wear and damage to the joint surface.
