Knee Pain: Causes & Non-Surgical Treatments
Knee pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal complaints, affecting people of all ages and activity levels. The knee’s complex anatomy—bones, cartilage, ligaments, tendons, and bursae—means any structure can be the source of discomfort. Injuries, overuse, degenerative changes, and inflammatory conditions all play a role. A detailed history, physical exam, and appropriate imaging help pinpoint the cause and guide treatment. Many patients improve with conservative care (exercise, bracing, injections), but some ultimately require surgery to restore function and relieve pain.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Knee Pain?
Osteoarthritis: Degeneration of joint cartilage leading to bone-on-bone contact, pain, and stiffness.
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome: Maltracking of the kneecap causing pain under or around the patella.
Meniscal Tears: Damage to the shock-absorbing cartilage rings (menisci) from twisting injuries or degeneration.
Iliotibial (IT) Band Syndrome: Friction of the IT band on the outer femur, common in runners and cyclists.
Ligament Injuries: Sprains or tears of the ACL, PCL, MCL, or LCL causing instability and pain.
Bursitis & Tendinitis: Inflammation of the bursae or tendons from overuse or direct trauma.
Other Conditions: Gout, rheumatoid arthritis, Baker’s cysts, or referred pain from hip disorders.
Torn Lateral Meniscus
How Can I Treat Knee Pain Conservatively?
Exercise & Physical Therapy
Strengthen the quadriceps, hamstrings, hip abductors, and core to improve joint stability. Incorporate low-impact cardio (swimming, cycling) to maintain fitness without overloading the knee.Weight Management
Losing just 5–10% of body weight can substantially reduce knee-joint stress and ease osteoarthritis symptoms.Bracing & Orthotics
Unloader Braces shift force away from the diseased compartment.
Custom Orthotic Inserts correct foot biomechanics and improve knee alignment.
Activity Modification
Replace high-impact activities with low-impact options (water aerobics, elliptical) to protect the joint while staying active.
Physical therapy is crucial to the rehabilitation of most knee injuries
Which Injections Are Proven Effective?
Corticosteroid Injections
Provide short-term relief of inflammation and pain (typically 6–12 weeks). Repeat treatments should be spaced to minimize cartilage damage.Hyaluronic Acid (Viscosupplementation)
Aims to improve joint lubrication; results vary, and benefits tend to be modest.Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)
Uses concentrated growth factors from your own blood. Studies show modest pain and function improvement—especially at 6-month follow-up—though individual results vary.
Which Treatments Lack Proven Benefit?
Stem Cell Therapy (Mesenchymal Stem Cells)
Experimental: while early trials show promise, high variability and limited large-scale studies mean MSC injections remain unproven. Recommended only within clinical research.
| Learn more: Stem Cell Therapy for Joint Pain
Ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injection into knee joint for pain management
When Should I Consider Surgery for Knee Pain?
Meniscal Repair or Partial Meniscectomy
For acute, symptomatic tears unresponsive to 6 months of non-operative care or tears that mechanically block motion.Ligament Reconstruction
Indicated when ACL/PCL tears cause instability that limits daily activities or risks further joint damage.Osteotomy
Realigns bone to shift weight away from the damaged compartment; ideal for younger patients with unicompartmental arthritis.Total Knee Replacement
Recommended for end-stage osteoarthritis with severe pain, fixed deformity, or chronic inflammation not relieved by conservative measures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Knee pain can result from arthritis, ligament injuries, meniscus tears, patellar tendinitis, bursitis, or overuse. It may also stem from poor alignment or weakness in surrounding muscles.
Seek medical attention if your knee pain is severe, persists for more than a few days, causes swelling or instability, or is accompanied by clicking, locking, or difficulty walking.
Dr. Jerry Sobel offers non-surgical treatments including physical therapy, bracing, corticosteroid or hyaluronic acid injections, activity modification, and regenerative options like PRP.
Yes. Physical therapy can strengthen the muscles supporting the knee, improve flexibility, and restore proper movement patterns, helping to reduce pain and prevent future injury.
If your symptoms limit your activity, recur frequently, or have not improved with rest and home care, it’s time to see a specialist like Dr. Sobel for a detailed evaluation and targeted treatment plan.
At Sobel Spine & Sports, Dr. Jerry Sobel brings decades of experience in non-surgical sports medicine and joint care. We use evidence-based treatments, cutting-edge diagnostics, and personalized care to help you find relief and avoid unnecessary surgery.