Knee Pain: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Sumiran Racherla, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Knee Pain?
An orthopedic doctor, a doctor who treats bones, joints, and ligaments, often treats knee pain that does not go away. A sports medicine doctor or a physical therapist may also help. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is knee pain?
Knee pain is a common symptom in people of all ages. It may start suddenly, often after an injury or exercise. It also may begin as a mild discomfort, then slowly get worse.
Knee pain can be a symptom of many different conditions. The knee joint is made up of bone, cartilage, ligaments and fluid.
Symptoms
The signs depend on the cause. Some clues from the NHS are:
- Pain after overstretching, overusing or twisting, often during exercise, may point to a sprain or strain.
- A knee that feels unstable, gives way when you try to stand, or cannot straighten may mean a torn ligament, tendon, or meniscus.
- Pain and stiffness in both knees with mild swelling is more common in older people and may be osteoarthritis.
- A warm, red knee that hurts more with kneeling or bending may be bursitis.
- A hot, red knee with sudden attacks of very bad pain may be gout or septic arthritis.
- Pain and swelling below the kneecap in teenagers and young adults may be Osgood Schlatter's disease.
Painless clicking is normal.
Causes and who gets it
Being overweight puts you at greater risk for knee problems. Overusing your knee can trigger knee problems that cause pain. A history of arthritis could also cause knee pain.
Common causes include:
- Arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, lupus, and gout.
- Bursitis, which is inflammation from repeated pressure on the knee, such as kneeling for a long time.
- Tendinitis, which is inflammation of a tendon.
- A dislocated or broken kneecap.
- A torn ligament or a torn meniscus, which is torn cartilage.
- Infection in the knee joint or in the bones around the knee.
The most common disease affecting the knee is osteoarthritis.
How doctors diagnose it
Your provider will do a physical exam of your knees, hips, legs, and other joints. You may need an X-ray of the knee. An MRI may be done if a ligament or meniscus tear could be the cause. Fluid may be taken from the knee and examined under a microscope.
Treatment
Knee pain can often be treated at home. Simple causes of knee pain often clear up on their own while you take steps to manage your symptoms.
If your knee pain has just started and is not severe, you can:
- Rest and avoid activities that cause pain.
- Use ice, covered with a towel. Do not fall asleep while using ice.
- Keep your knee raised as much as possible to bring down swelling.
- Wear an elastic bandage or sleeve for support.
- Take ibuprofen or naproxen for pain and swelling. Acetaminophen can relieve pain, but not swelling.
Contact your provider before taking these medicines if you have medical problems. Your provider may inject a steroid into your knee to reduce pain and inflammation. You may need stretching and strengthening exercises. In some cases, you may need surgery.
Losing weight can help if you are overweight. Warm up before exercise and cool down after it.
When to see a doctor
Contact your provider if you cannot bear weight on your knee. Also contact your provider if your knee buckles, painfully clicks, or locks, or looks misshapen. Contact your provider if you have a lot of swelling. Contact your provider if you still have pain after 3 days of home treatment. If knee pain is caused by an accident or injury, you should contact your provider.
Get medical advice right away if you have a fever or a very high temperature with redness or heat around the knee. This can be a sign of infection. Also get advice right away for numbness, tingling, or bluish color in the calf below the sore knee. Call 911 or go to the emergency room after a sudden injury such as a car crash, or if you have a deep or large wound. Also go if you have bleeding that will not stop.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Such a doctor can examine your knee, help find the likely cause, and refer you to an orthopedic doctor or physical therapist when needed.
Common questions
Can knee pain go away on its own?
Yes, simple causes of knee pain often clear up on their own while you take steps to manage your symptoms. The NHS says you should start to feel better in a few days.
What can I do at home for knee pain?
If your knee pain has just started and is not severe, you can rest, apply ice, and keep the knee raised. You can also wear an elastic bandage or sleeve for support. You can sleep with a pillow underneath or between your knees.
Is knee pain a sign of arthritis?
It can be, because arthritis is a common cause of knee pain. Osteoarthritis is the most common disease affecting the knee, but many other causes are possible.
Does extra weight make knee pain worse?
Yes, being overweight puts you at greater risk for knee problems. Every pound you are overweight puts about 5 extra pounds of pressure on your kneecap when you go up and down stairs.
Sources
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
