Knee pain can be a result of injury or disease of the knee joint. Injury can affect any of the ligaments, bursae, or tendons surrounding the knee joint (see diagram). Injury can also affect the ligaments, cartilage, menisci and bones within the joint. The complexity of the design of the knee joint and the fact that it is an active weight-bearing joint are factors in making the knee one of the most commonly injured joints.

Pain can also occur in the knee from diseases or conditions that involve the knee joint, the soft tissues and bones surrounding the knee, or the nerves that supply sensation to the knee area. In fact, the knee joint is one of the most commonly involved joints suffering from arthritis and well as systemic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. Overuse injury to the knee can lead to inflammation of the knee cap (patella) or its tendon.

 Diseases that cause knee pain can lead to symptoms  such as:

    •    swelling

    •      buckling

    •    warmth of the knee,

    •    locking of the knee,

    •    sensation of joint instability,

    •    joint tenderness,

    •    stiffness of the joint.