Pain on the inner side of the knee, or medial knee pain, is a common issue, ranging from a mild ache to a sharp, debilitating sensation. This discomfort can significantly disrupt daily routines and limit mobility. Understanding its potential causes is the first step toward effective management and relief.
Common Causes of Inner Knee Pain
Several distinct conditions can lead to pain on the inner side of the knee, each with characteristic symptoms.
A medial meniscus tear, affecting the C-shaped cartilage cushioning the knee joint, often causes pain worsening with weight-bearing activities, twisting, or squatting. Swelling, locking, catching, and instability may also occur.
A Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) sprain occurs when the inner knee ligament is stretched or torn, often from a direct force to the outside. Symptoms include immediate sharp pain, tenderness, swelling, and instability, sometimes with a popping sound. Walking can be difficult due to pain and joint looseness.
Osteoarthritis, especially in the medial compartment, involves gradual cartilage breakdown, causing bones to rub. This degenerative condition commonly causes pain, stiffness, and swelling that worsens with activity, throughout the day, or after rest. Crepitus, a grinding sensation, may also be present.
Pes Anserine Bursitis results from inflammation of the pes anserine bursa, a fluid-filled sac located two to three inches below the inner knee joint. This causes pain and tenderness in the area, increasing with exercise, climbing stairs, or rising from sitting, though it often improves with rest. Puffiness around the site is also common.
Medial Plica Syndrome involves irritation or inflammation of a plica, a fold in the knee’s joint lining. This causes inner knee pain, often with clicking, snapping, or popping sounds when bending or extending. Tenderness along the inner kneecap, swelling, and a catching sensation are also possible, especially after prolonged sitting or repetitive knee-bending.
When to Seek Medical Attention
While minor inner knee pain may resolve with self-care, certain signs warrant professional medical evaluation. Seek immediate attention for severe or sudden pain, especially if you cannot bear weight. An obvious knee deformity or significant, sudden swelling are also red flags.
A popping sound at the time of injury, followed by pain and swelling, can suggest a serious issue like a ligament or meniscus tear. Persistent pain that does not improve after a few days of home care, or worsens over time, warrants medical consultation. Other concerning symptoms include knee locking or catching, instability, buckling, or signs of infection like redness, warmth, or fever with knee pain.
Immediate Steps and Home Management
When inner knee pain arises, immediate steps can help manage discomfort. The RICE protocol—Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation—is a widely recommended initial approach. Resting the affected knee by avoiding painful activities, like excessive walking or stair climbing, prevents further injury and allows healing.
Applying ice to the inner knee for 15-20 minutes several times daily reduces swelling and numbs pain. Wrapping the knee with an elastic bandage provides compression to limit swelling, ensuring it is snug but not too tight. Elevating the leg above heart level, especially while resting, assists in draining excess fluid and reducing swelling.
Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as NSAIDs like ibuprofen or acetaminophen, can help manage pain and reduce inflammation. Gentle exercises and stretches, like straight leg raises or hamstring stretches, can support the knee by strengthening surrounding muscles and improving flexibility. These should be performed cautiously and discontinued if pain increases. Modifying activities to reduce stress on the knee, such as opting for low-impact exercises, can also be beneficial.
Medical Diagnosis and Treatment Approaches
When inner knee pain persists, a medical professional conducts a thorough diagnostic process. This typically begins with a physical examination to assess the knee’s range of motion, stability, and tenderness. Imaging tests, such as X-rays, rule out bone fractures or evaluate arthritis, while MRI provides detailed views of soft tissues like ligaments, tendons, and cartilage.
Based on the diagnosis, various treatment options may be recommended. Physical therapy is often a primary approach, focusing on strengthening surrounding knee muscles, including quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes, to improve support and stability. Therapeutic exercises also enhance flexibility and restore normal movement patterns.
Injections into the knee joint can offer pain relief and reduce inflammation. Corticosteroid injections provide short-term pain relief, typically lasting a few months. Hyaluronic acid injections (viscosupplementation) lubricate the joint and reduce friction, mimicking natural joint fluid. Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) injections, derived from the patient’s blood, are an emerging treatment believed to promote healing and reduce pain by delivering concentrated growth factors.
For conditions not responding to conservative treatments, surgical interventions may be considered. Arthroscopy, a minimally invasive procedure, can repair or trim a torn meniscus or address medial plica syndrome. More extensive surgeries, such as ligament repair for significant tears or total joint replacement for severe osteoarthritis, are reserved for cases where other treatments have been unsuccessful and pain significantly impacts quality of life.