More patients seek medical attention for knee pain than any other orthopaedic condition. And our knee surgeons are the reason so many of them come to see us.

Injuries/Conditions

Common causes for knee pain include meniscal, cartilage, chondral or ligament injuries. Trauma and everyday wear and tear can also lead to knee pain, as can age, activity and genetics.

The best way to determine the cause of knee pain is through careful review of patient history and examination by a physician. Additional tests, such as X-rays and MRI scans, can aid in the diagnosis of your condition.

X-rays help physicians examine the bony structures around the knee, while an MRI enables physicians to study the soft tissues like ligaments and cartilage inside the knee.

Because ligaments and muscles allow for knee motion and stability, a tear in the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), for example, can cause instability and knee pain.

Unstable knee motion can then lead to future damage like torn menisci, or damaged cartilage.

Arthritis of the knee is a common source of knee pain, often resulting from either a direct cartilage injury or the gradual wearing down of the cartilage surface.

It is important to have persistent knee pain or instability evaluated. Once the knee problem is identified, you have several non-surgical and surgical options from which to choose.