4 Types of Knee Pain: Anterior, Posterior, Medial & Lateral Knee Pain

Life can be difficult at times but fighting through the pain is so worth it! You can always fight it and find a way to overcome whatever it is you’re going through. The same goes for knee pain, there are different kinds of knee pain but each one can be dealt with in its own unique way.

Many people have no idea that 4 types of Knee Pain do exist and they can make life extremely debilitating. In this blog, we'll go over each one of them in detail so that we can educate you on what they are, what causes them, and how you can contact kneeflow to book your knee massager to get rid of all that pain!

Types of Knee Pain

Knee pain is a very common problem that can be caused by a variety of things, such as arthritis, injury, or even just overexertion. It can make it difficult to walk, go up and down stairs, or even just stand for long periods of time. There are four main kinds of knee pain: anterior (front), posterior (back), medial (inner), and lateral (outer).

1.  Anterior Knee Pain:

Anterior knee pain or discomfort felt in the front part of your knee, can have a number of causes. These include a dislocated or maltracking patella, tight muscles, overdoing your workout,, or unbalanced muscles. Usually, though, anterior pain is due to issues with your kneecap (patella) and the surrounding patellar tendon.

• Runner’s Knee: Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome is also known as “runner’s knee,” this is the most common type of anterior knee pain. It’s caused by a misalignment of the kneecap and usually affects young adults and runners.
• Jumper’s Knee: Patellar tendonitis, also known as “jumper’s knee,” is a condition that results when the patellar tendon becomes inflamed or irritated. It’s common in athletes who participate in jumping sports, such as basketball or volleyball.
• Osgood-Schlatter Disease: This is a condition that usually affects adolescents and is characterized by pain and tenderness at the bony bump (tubercle) on the upper part of the shinbone (tibia), just below the knee joint. It’s caused by repetitive stress to the area, such as from running or playing soccer.

2. Posterior Knee Pain:

Posterior knee pain is felt in the back of your knee and can be caused by a number of different things, such as a Baker’s cyst, tendinitis, or a muscle strain.

• Baker’s Cyst: A Baker’s cyst is a fluid-filled sac that forms behind the knee joint. It can be caused by arthritis or an injury to the knee joint.
• Gastrocnemius Strain: Gastrocnemius is a large muscle in the back of the leg that helps with walking and running. A strain occurs when this muscle is overworked and becomes overly stretched or torn.
• Tendinitis: Tendinitis is the inflammation of a tendon, which is the thick rope-like tissue that attaches muscles to bones. It can be caused by overuse, repetitive motion, or direct injury.

3. Lateral knee Pain:

Lateral knee pain is one of the other types of Knee Pain that is felt on the outside of your knee and can be caused by a number of different things, such as muscle strain, arthritis, or bursitis.

• Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS): The iliotibial band is a thick band of tissue that runs from the hip to the shinbone on the outside of the leg. ITBS is a condition that occurs when this band becomes inflamed or irritated. It’s common in runners and cyclists.
• Arthritis: Arthritis is a general term for any condition that causes inflammation in the joints. There are many different types of arthritis, but the two most common types that affect the knee are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
• Bursitis: Bursitis is the inflammation of a bursa, which is a small, fluid-filled sac that acts as a cushion between bones and muscles. It can be caused by overuse, repetitive motion, or direct injury.

4. Medial Knee Pain:

Medial knee pain is felt on the inside of your knee and can be caused by a number of different things, such as arthritis, tendinitis, or meniscus tears.

• Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) Sprain: The medial collateral ligament (MCL) is a ligament that runs down the inside of your knee. An MCL sprain occurs when this ligament is stretched or torn.
• Medial Meniscus Tear: The medial meniscus is a C-shaped piece of cartilage that sits between the femur and tibia on the inside of the knee joint. A tear can occur when this cartilage is damaged, usually from a twisting injury.

All this information was to aware people of 4 Types of Knee Pain that can be a big problem if not noticed on time. It's better to get it checked by a doctor if you feel any discomfort or pain in your knee.

KneeFlow can Offer Assistance:

If you're experiencing any of the types of knee pain, we recommend that you visit or contact Kneeflow to check out our selection of knee massagers and knee braces. Our products are designed to help reduce joint pain and keep your knees healthy and pain-free. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us. Our team of experts are always happy to help!