Inner Knee Pain

Knee pain on the inner side of the knee joint is a common complaint among many adults. This type of knee pain, medically known as medial knee pain, can significantly impact your ability to perform daily activities that involve bending, squatting, or bearing weight on your legs.

 If you have been experiencing pain on the inner side of your knee, it is essential to understand the possible causes and explore the available Physical Therapy Woodstock options. 

This article provides an in-depth look at the anatomy of the inner knee, the common causes of medial knee pain, symptoms to watch for, and both self-care and professional treatment methods. Read on to better understand how to relieve inner knee discomfort at FYZICAL Therapy and Balance Centers in Woodstock, GA.

Anatomy of the Inner Knee

To understand the source of pain on inner side of knee, it helps to first look at the basic anatomy of this region. The knee joint is comprised of three prominent bones - the femur (thigh bone), tibia (shin bone), and patella (kneecap). On the inner side of the knee are several structures that can contribute to medial knee pain when injured or inflamed. These include:

• Medial collateral ligament (MCL) - This is one of the major ligaments of the knee, running along the inner aspect of the joint. It provides stability and prevents the knee from bending inward.
• Medial meniscus - This C-shaped piece of cartilage acts as a shock absorber between the femur and tibia. It bears weight and allows smooth knee motion.
• Pes anserine bursa - This small fluid-filled sac lies along the inner knee between several tendons that attach to the tibia. It prevents friction.
• The joint capsule’s medial (inner) side surrounds the entire knee and contains synovial fluid.
• Medial fat pad - This fat pad sits beneath the patella on the inner knee.

Common Causes of Inner Knee Pain

Pain in the medial part of the knee usually arises when inner knee structures are in trouble. Medial collateral ligament injuries, which are inflammatory in nature and brought on by direct contact or a direct blow, result in pain whilst the knee is being bent. 

Twisting and wear on the knee cause meniscus tears on the medial side, where by pain, swelling, and a feeling of catching occur. Pes anserine bursitis, which affects runners, entails inflammation of the pes anserine bursa below the knee joint. 

The tibo-femoral compartment is affected by osteoarthritis, which causes degeneration of the articular cartilage, formation of a bony proliferation, and pain felt during kneeling, flexing, and extending knee motions. Patellofemoral pain involving the kneecap and femur causes pain on the medial aspect of the knee and worsens during stair climbing, squatting, or sitting with bending knees. 

Fat pad impingement, where the medial fat pad is trapped between the femur and tibia, causes constant deep aches and inner side knee pain.

Symptoms of Inner Knee Pain

Medial knee pain inner side is generally characterized by signs like pain, touch sensitivity, or swelling around the knee joint line. Intense pain may be felt in the knee while attempting to bend it, and joint movement may be accompanied by some degree of pain, reducing its flexibility. 

The patient can have pain while moving the affected leg and may have problems with weight bearing, catching, clicking, and feeling of instability. High-impact activities make the pain worse, and constant mild to moderate pain is felt while using the stairs.

Self-care and Home Treatment

There are several self-care measures you can take at home to help manage inner knee discomfort:

• Rest - Avoid activities that aggravate pain inner knee, like running, jumping, squatting, and climbing stairs. Take a break from sports. 
• Ice - Apply ice packs to the painful area for 15-20 minutes several times per day to reduce inflammation and pain.
• Compression - Wrapping an elastic bandage around the knee can provide stability and limit swelling.
• Elevation - Prop your leg up on a chair or pillow when possible to promote drainage of fluid buildup.
• OTC medication - Anti-inflammatory medication like ibuprofen can ease pain and swelling.
• Knee brace - Wearing a medial knee brace can improve stability and remove pressure from painful structures.
• Stretching and exercises - Gentle stretches that target the muscles around the knee along with low-impact exercises to strengthen the leg muscles, can aid recovery. However, check with your physical therapist before starting an exercise program.

Professional Treatment From a Physical Therapist

If home remedies do not provide sufficient relief for inner knee pain, visiting a physical therapist can help identify the exact source of your discomfort and get you on the path to recovery. 

A physical therapist has the skills and expertise to evaluate your knee, diagnose the structures involved, and develop a customized treatment plan. Common Knee Pain Therapy in Woodstock, GA, includes:

• Hands-on techniques include soft tissue massage, joint mobilization, trigger point therapy, and passive stretching to loosen tight muscles, restore range of motion, and relieve pain.
• Therapeutic exercises - Your physical therapist will prescribe specific strengthening exercises for your thigh, hip, core, and leg muscles to provide dynamic knee stability and take pressure off the joint.
• Functional training - The physical therapist will help improve your movement patterns with activities like gait training, balance exercises, and muscle re-education.
• Modalities - Treatment techniques like ultrasound, electrical stimulation, ice massage, iontophoresis, and heat therapy can ease pain and inflammation.
• Bracing - Custom knee braces may be recommended to improve medial knee stability.
• Injections - Corticosteroid injections into the bursa or joint can relieve inflammation and pain.
• Referral to orthopedic doctor - If surgery like a meniscus repair, cartilage regeneration, or knee arthroplasty is needed, your physical therapist will provide a referral.

Conclusion

Inner knee pain can significantly impact your mobility and quality of life. However, understanding your knee joint’s anatomy and the common causes of medial knee pain will help you seek the appropriate Knee Pain Treatment in Woodstock, GA. 

Combining self-care techniques and working with a physical therapist like FYZICAL Therapy and Balance Centers in Woodstock, GA, can help provide optimal relief. You can return to your active lifestyle pain-free with proper rehabilitation of the muscles surrounding your knee joint.