Knee Pain Guide: Causes by Where and When It Hurts

Knee pain is easier to understand when you notice two things: where exactly it hurts and when it gets worse. Pain at the front of the knee usually has different causes than pain on the inner side or behind the knee, and pain on stairs tells a different story than pain at night.

This page gathers all our knee pain guides in one place. Start with the location of your pain, then read the guide that matches the situation in which it bothers you most.

By where it hurts

• Pain at the Front of the Knee: 9 Warning Signs You Should Not Ignore
  Pain below the kneecap, when bending or after sitting? These are 9 signs you should not ignore and what you can do at home.
• Pain on the Inner Side of the Knee: 5 Common Causes and What Helps
  Pain on the inside of the knee usually has one of five causes. Here is how to tell them apart and what you can do at home.
• Pain on the Outer Side of the Knee: 5 Causes and What Helps
  Outer knee pain often shows up on long walks, downhill or on stairs. Here are the five most common causes and what helps.
• Pain Behind the Knee: 5 Possible Causes and When to Act
  A tight, swollen or painful back of the knee has a handful of typical causes. Here is how to recognize them and which signs need a doctor quickly.
• Swollen Knee: Common Causes and What to Do
  A swollen knee feels tight, heavy and harder to bend. Here are the most common reasons a knee swells, what you can do at home and which signs need a doctor.

By when it hurts

• Knee Pain on Stairs: Why It Happens and How to Make Stairs Easier
  Stairs are often the first place a knee complains. Here is why going up and going down hurt differently, and how to make every step easier.
• Knee Pain at Night: Why It Gets Worse and How to Sleep Better
  Many people feel their knee most when they finally lie down. Here is why that happens and what you can do for a calmer night.
• Morning Knee Stiffness: A 5-Minute Wake-Up Routine
  Stiff, creaky knees first thing in the morning are very common. This gentle 5-minute routine helps you get them moving before you even stand up.
• Knee Pain After Sitting and When Standing Up: Causes and Tips
  A long film, a car journey or a desk job: after sitting, the knee often protests. Here is why, and how to sit and stand up in a more knee-friendly way.
• Knee Pain When Bending or Squatting: Causes and What Helps
  Putting on your shoes, picking something up from the floor, working in the garden: bending can be hard on a sore knee. Here is why, and what makes it easier.
• Do Your Knees Hurt When the Weather Changes? What Helps
  Many people with sore knees say they can feel the rain coming. Here is what may be behind it and how to keep your knees more comfortable when the weather turns.

Understanding your pain

• When Is Knee Pain Serious? Signs You Should See a Doctor
  Most knee pain is harmless and settles on its own. These are the warning signs that mean you should see a doctor, and tips on how to prepare for the visit.
• 5 Things People with Knee Pain Often Say, and What Helps Instead
  Many people with sore knees say the same things. These thoughts are understandable, but they can hold you back. Here are five of them and what helps instead.

More knee guides

• Knee Osteoarthritis and Joint Conditions: A Complete Guide
• Knee Exercises and Home Relief: A Complete Guide
• Knee Injuries and Sport: A Guide to Recovery
• Knee Sleeve Guide: Does It Help, How to Choose and Wear It

These guides are for information only and do not replace an examination by a doctor or physiotherapist.