Knee Pain is one of the most common types of pain among the population. It is not only a problem occurring in the elderly population but is also affecting majorly the youth and athletes. As knee pain seem similar in every aspect but it has different approaches in terms of involvement of anatomical structures in or around the knee joint.

FRACTURES: Fractures of any of the bones of the knee are traumatic injuries typically caused by moderate to high forces.

  • Symptoms and signs: Fractures may be accompanied by swelling or bruising but are almost always extremely painful and tender. The pain is typically so severe that people are unable to walk or even put weight on the knee.

SPRAINED AND TORN COLLATERAL LIGAMENTS: The medial collateral ligament (MCL) is the most commonly injured ligament in the knee.

  • Symptoms and signs: Severe MCL sprains or tears often produce a tearing or ripping sensation along the inner joint line of the knee. This may show Knee instability and swelling.

SPRAINED AND TORN CRUCIATE LIGAMENTS: An anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is a common sports injury generally caused by a hard stop or a violent twisting of the knee. The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) is stronger than the ACL and much less commonly torn. The PCL requires strong forces, such as those produced when the dashboard strikes the knee in a car accident, to tear. 

  • Symptoms and signs: If you tear your ACL, you may hear a pop. You will also notice your knee give way or become unstable and feel pain. This is followed by swelling in a couple of hours.

TENDON RUPTURES: Both the quadriceps and patellar tendons may rupture partially or completely. Quadriceps tendon rupture typically occurs in recreational athletes older than 40 years (this is the injury President Clinton suffered while jogging), and patellar tendon rupture typically occurs in younger people who have had previous tendonitis or steroid injections to the knee.

  • Symptoms and signs: Rupture of either the quadriceps or patellar tendon causes pain (especially when trying to kick or extend the knee). Those people with complete ruptures are unable to extend the knee. The patella is also often out of place either upward (with patellar tendon rupture) or downward (with quadriceps tendon rupture). The patient can usually notice a difference in appearance when comparing his/her knees.

MENISCAL INJURIES: Injuries to the meniscus are typically traumatic injuries but can also be due to overuse. Often, a piece of the meniscus will tear off and float in the knee joint.

  • Symptoms and signs: Meniscal injuries may cause the knee to lock in a particular position or either click or grind through its range of motion. 
  • This kind of pain can only be treated by Physiotherapy don't try self-medication.