Knee Pain
Knee pain can come from wear inside the joint, from the soft tissue around it, or from a nerve higher up in your back. When it hurts is usually a better clue than where it hurts.
What knee pain feels like
Most people notice the pattern before they notice the pain itself, and that pattern is what a specialist listens for first.
Pain that is worse going down stairs, stiff for the first few minutes of the morning, and better with rest usually points to wear inside the joint. Many people also feel a grinding or catching as the knee bends.
Pain that swells the knee after activity, or a knee that feels unstable or gives way, is worth having looked at sooner. So is pain that began with a specific twist or fall, which suggests a tear rather than gradual wear.
Pain that travels down from the back or hip into the knee, especially alongside numbness or tingling, is often not a knee problem at all. A nerve compressed in the lower back can refer pain straight to the knee, and it is commonly treated as a knee problem for years before anyone checks the back.
Common causes of knee pain
These two are covered in depth on this site. A torn meniscus, bursitis, and tendinitis are also common and are usually handled by an orthopedic specialist.
When knee pain needs urgent care
Most knee pain builds slowly and is not an emergency. Seek prompt care if you have any of these:
- A knee that is hot, red, and swollen, especially with a fever (possible joint infection)
- Severe pain after a fall or twist, or a knee that will not take your weight
- A knee that locks or gives way repeatedly
- Sudden swelling, warmth, or pain in the calf below the knee (possible clot or DVT)
- Numbness or weakness in the leg or foot
- Pain that wakes you at night and will not settle
What a specialist can do
The first job is working out where the pain is actually coming from. That usually means an examination of how the knee moves and bears weight, and an X-ray to show how much cartilage is left in the joint.
If the cause is knee osteoarthritis, treatment normally starts with the least invasive options: activity changes, physical therapy, weight management, and medication. Injections can give relief for a period.
When those stop working and knee replacement is not wanted or not an option, there are newer choices. Genicular artery embolization reduces blood flow to the inflamed lining of the joint through a pinhole in the leg, without opening the knee.
If the pain is coming from a compressed nerve in the lower back, treating the knee will not help, which is why sorting out the source comes first.
How Help My Legs works
Tell us your symptoms
Answer a few quick questions about what you are feeling and where.
We match you locally
We connect you with a qualified leg and vascular specialist near your ZIP code.
You get seen
The office reaches out to schedule your visit. No obligation, no pressure.
Read more about treatment options
A closer look at a non-surgical option for knee arthritis.
Questions people ask about knee pain
Why does my knee hurt going down stairs?
Going downstairs loads the kneecap and the front of the joint much harder than going up. Pain in that specific moment is one of the most common early signs of wear in the joint. It is worth having checked, because the treatments that work best are the ones started before the joint is badly worn.
Is knee pain always arthritis?
No. Wear in the joint is the most common cause after middle age, but a torn meniscus, inflamed tendons, and bursitis all cause knee pain too, and a compressed nerve in the lower back can refer pain into the knee. The pattern of when it hurts is what tells them apart.
Can knee pain come from my back?
Yes. A nerve compressed in the lower back can send pain down into the knee, and it is often treated as a knee problem for years before anyone checks the back. Pain that travels down the leg, or comes with numbness or tingling, is the clue.
What are the options if I do not want knee replacement?
Most people start with activity changes, physical therapy, weight management, and medication, and injections can help for a period. When those stop working, genicular artery embolization is a newer option that reduces blood flow to the inflamed lining of the joint through a pinhole in the leg, without opening the knee.
Knee pain getting in the way?
Get matched with a specialist near you who can find out what is causing it and talk you through the options.
Find a Specialist Near YouLast updated August 2026