Knee pain is one of the most common complaints in both athletes and non-athletes alike. From high school soccer players to weekend runners to adults managing joint stiffness as they age, nearly everyone will deal with some degree of knee discomfort during their lifetime. In fact, knee pain is one of the leading reasons people seek out medical care for musculoskeletal issues.
At the Columbus Center for Sports and Regenerative Medicine (CCSRM), we regularly evaluate and treat patients struggling with knee pain. What’s important to know is that knee pain isn’t a diagnosis in itself — it’s a symptom. The underlying causes can range from age-related wear and tear, to sports injuries, to inflammation of the soft tissues around the joint.
Let's explore four common causes of knee pain — knee osteoarthritis, patellar tendinitis, meniscal tears, and acute ligament injuries — and walk through how each develops, what symptoms to watch for, and the treatment options available. Our goal is to help you better understand your body, recognize when it’s time to seek care, and know what your treatment options are.
1. Knee Osteoarthritis: When the Joint Wears Down
What Is It?
Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative condition in which the smooth cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones gradually wears away. This leads to increased friction in the joint, bone spur formation, and chronic inflammation. Over time, the loss of cartilage can cause significant pain and stiffness, making everyday activities — from walking up stairs to getting out of a chair — difficult.
Who It Affects
Osteoarthritis is most common in adults over 50, but it isn’t limited to older age groups. People who have experienced prior knee injuries (such as meniscal or ligament tears), individuals with excess body weight, and those with jobs or lifestyles that involve repetitive stress on the knees are also at higher risk.
Symptoms
Stiffness in the morning or after sitting for long periods
Pain that worsens with activity and improves with rest
Swelling around the joint
Crepitus (a crackling or grinding sound when moving the knee)
Decreased flexibility or range of motion
Treatment Options
There is no single “cure” for osteoarthritis, but there are many effective ways to manage symptoms and improve quality of life:
Lifestyle changes: Weight loss can reduce stress on the knee; low-impact exercise (like swimming or cycling) helps improve strength and mobility.
Physical therapy: Targeted strengthening of the quadriceps, hamstrings, and hip muscles can provide stability and relieve pain.
Injections: Ultrasound-guided cortisone injections temporarily reduce inflammation, viscosupplementation can improve joint lubrication, and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections use your body’s own growth factors to support tissue recovery.
Activity modification: Avoiding high-impact activities while staying active is key to slowing progression.
At CCSRM, we emphasize non-surgical solutions first — often patients can postpone or avoid joint replacement with the right plan.
2. Patellar Tendinitis: “Jumper’s Knee”
What Is It?
Patellar tendinitis is an overuse injury that affects the tendon connecting the kneecap (patella) to the shinbone (tibia). Repetitive jumping, running, or sudden changes in direction can strain this tendon, leading to micro-tears, pain, and inflammation. Over time, the tendon may become weakened and degenerated, a condition known as tendinopathy.
Who It Affects
This condition is especially common in athletes who play basketball, volleyball, soccer, and track and field — sports that involve frequent jumping and sprinting. However, it can also occur in recreational athletes or anyone who increases activity levels too quickly without proper conditioning.
Symptoms
Pain just below the kneecap, especially when pressing on the tendon
Discomfort during jumping, running, or climbing stairs
Stiffness after activity
Pain that may start mild but worsens over time if untreated
Treatment Options
Rest and activity modification: Temporarily reducing high-impact movements allows healing.
Physical therapy: Eccentric strengthening exercises for the quadriceps are especially effective.
Shockwave therapy: A non-invasive treatment that stimulates blood flow and healing in the tendon.
Injections: PRP injections can help stimulate tendon recovery and decrease pain in cases that don’t improve with conservative care.
Bracing or taping: Provides short-term relief and support during activity.
At CCSRM, we often combine rehabilitation exercises with advanced regenerative treatments to help athletes return to sport safely and more quickly.
3. Meniscal Tear: Damage to the Knee’s Shock Absorber
What is it?
The meniscus is a C-shaped piece of cartilage that acts like a cushion between the femur (thigh bone) and tibia (shin bone). Each knee has two menisci — medial (inside) and lateral (outside). A tear can occur suddenly with a twist or pivot, or gradually due to wear and tear over time.
Who It Affects
Meniscal tears can happen to anyone, but they’re especially common in athletes who play sports that involve cutting and pivoting, such as soccer, football, or basketball. In middle-aged and older adults, degenerative tears within the meniscus can occur with even minimal trauma due to weakening with age.
Symptoms
Pain along the joint line
Swelling that develops within a day or two of injury
A popping sensation at the time of injury
Locking, catching, or clicking of the knee
Difficulty fully straightening or bending the knee
Repetitive knee buckling or giving out
Treatment Options
Conservative care: Rest, ice, compression, elevation (RICE), and physical therapy can often resolve symptoms.
Injections: PRP or cortisone injections to decrease pain
Surgery: In severe cases with persistent mechanical symptoms (like locking, buckling, giving out), arthroscopic surgery may be needed to trim or repair the meniscus.
Not every meniscal tear requires surgery — many respond well to non-surgical management. At CCSRM, we carefully evaluate the type of tear and your activity goals before making recommendations.
4. Acute Knee Injuries: Sprains and Ligament Tears
What Are They?
The knee is stabilized by four main ligaments:
- ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) – prevents the shinbone from sliding forward
- PCL (posterior cruciate ligament) – prevents the shinbone from sliding backward
- MCL (medial collateral ligament) – stabilizes the inner knee
- LCL (lateral collateral ligament) – stabilizes the outer knee
Injuries to these ligaments usually happen suddenly, often during sports that involve cutting, pivoting, or direct impact. An ACL tear, for example, can happen when landing from a jump or rapidly changing direction.
Who It Affects
Athletes in sports like football, soccer, basketball, and skiing are at highest risk, but ligament injuries can occur with any high-energy trauma, including falls or car accidents.
Symptoms
A “pop” at the time of injury (common with ACL tears)
Immediate swelling and pain
Instability or the feeling that the knee may “give out”
Difficulty bearing weight
Treatment Options
Early diagnosis: Physical exam and imaging (MRI) are critical to confirm the injury.
Rehabilitation: Physical therapy is essential for restoring stability and strength.
Bracing: Provides protection and support during healing.
Injections: PRP for partial thickness/ incomplete ACL tears and without any mechanical instability.
Surgery: May be required for complete ligament tears and with mechanical instability.
Even with serious ligament injuries, a carefully tailored rehab program can restore function — surgery is not always the first answer.
When Should You See a Doctor for Knee Pain?
While minor aches may resolve with rest and home care, you should seek evaluation if:
Knee pain lasts more than a few days without improvement
You have swelling that keeps coming back
The knee feels unstable or locks/catches
You can’t bear weight after an injury
Pain interferes with sleep, daily activities, or exercise
Early evaluation and treatment are the best ways to prevent chronic issues and get back to the activities you enjoy.
The CCSRM Approach
At CCSRM, we specialize in non-surgical, patient-centered care for knee pain. Our toolkit includes:
Detailed discussion and thorough evaluation to identify the cause of your knee pain
Diagnostic in-office ultrasound and potential referral to obtain X-rays or MRI imaging to obtain an accurate diagnosis
Ultrasound-guided injections (PRP, viscosupplementation, cortisone)
Individualized rehabilitation plans designed to restore strength and movement
Sports-specific guidance for safe and effective return to play
We believe in treating the whole person, not just the injury, by combining advanced medical treatments with education and prevention strategies.
Takeaway
Knee pain is common — but it doesn’t have to be something you “just live with.” Whether it’s osteoarthritis, patellar tendinitis, a meniscus tear, or a ligament injury, effective treatments are available to relieve pain and restore mobility.
At CCSRM, we help patients reclaim their active lives through innovative, non-surgical solutions. If you’ve been struggling with knee pain, now is the time to take the next step.
Schedule an appointment today and start your path back to healthy, pain-free movement.
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Ahmed F. Khan, MD, CAQSM