This document discusses the major causes of knee joint pain: 1) inflammation from osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, or gout, 2) infection of the knee joint, 3) injury to the knee joint such as ligament sprains, tendon tears, or meniscus tears, 4) patellofemoral syndrome which is irritation or inflammation where the patella meets the femur, and 5) osteoporosis which causes bones to become weak and brittle and more prone to fracture. Specific types of inflammation or injuries affecting the knee joint are described.

1. 5 Major main causes of
Knee Joint Pains!
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1. Knee Joint Inflammation
A. Osteoarthritis :
o Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease
o Causes cartilage damage and thinning of
cartilages
o Osteophytes and hypertrophy of tibia and
femur observed in later stage.
o Results in joint deformity
b. Rheumatoid Arthritis:
oAutoimmune disease
oCauses inflammation of synovial membrane
and capsule
oInflammation causes excessive secretion of
synovial fluid resulting in joint swelling
oJoint effusion (swelling by excessive fluid)
causes joint deformity and may result in joint
subluxation.
C. Psoriatic Arthritis
o Associated with psoriatic skin disease
o Inflammatory joint disease results in
inflammation of synovial membrane and
ligaments.
o Degeneration of articulating cartilages and
menisci.
D. Gout
oKnee joint swelling is caused by inflammation
of synovial membrane, capsule, ligaments and
tendon.
oSoft tissue inflammation results from
irritation of tissue following uric acid deposits.
oUric acid deposits in knee joint causes
inflammation and edema of articular cartilage
and menisci.
i. Arthritis of the Knee Joint

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1. Knee Joint Inflammation
ii. Tendonitis of Knee Joint
o Inflammation of tendon is known as tendonitis
o Tendonitis is caused by overuse of the muscles and tendon.
o Tendonitis follows injury or trauma of the tendon and muscles.
o Tendonitis of superior patellar tendon is known as Osgood-
Schlatter Disease.
o Osgood-Schlatter tendonitis is caused by overuse, irritation or
injury of the knee cap and patellar tendon.
o Inflammation of patellar tendon below patella is known as
''jumper's knee.''

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1. Knee Joint Inflammation
iii. Bursitis of Knee Joint
o Bursitis is caused by inflammation of bursa.
o Inflammation often follows trauma.
o Bursitis causes increased secretion of viscous fluid, which is
collected in a sac.
o Most common knee joint bursitis is Housemaid Knee and Baker's
Cyst.
o Pre-patellar bursa is known as ''Housemaid's knee'' is also known
as ''Preacher's Knee" and is caused by kneeling on knee often for
prolonged time .
oA ''Baker's cyst'' is inflammation of popliteal bursa and causes
swelling of sac at the back of the knee.

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2. Infection Of Knee Joint
 Knee Joint infection is also known as Septic Arthritis.
 Results in Knee Joint Abscess.
 Follows severe deterioration and atrophy of the cartilages and
synovial membrane.
 Often follows penetrating injury
 Blood borne bacterial infection transmitted from distant source of
infection or abscess by blood.

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3. Injury Of Knee Joint
A. Ligamental Sprain
•Grade 1- Laceration or forceful
stretch of ligament
•Grade 2- Partial tear of the ligament
•Grade 3- Complete tear of the
ligament
B. Tendon Rupture or Tear
•Grade 1- Laceration or forceful stretch of tendon
•Grade 2- Partial tear of the tendon
•Grade 3- Complete tear of the tendon
C. Torn Meniscus
•Meniscus tear may be partial or complete.
•Tear may be associated with cartilage
fragments in the joint resulting in severe
pain with joint movements.
•Tear is caused by continuous wear and
tear of the joint known as "Degenerative
Tear".
•Meniscus tear mostly results from knee
joint injuries.
D. Knee Joint Dislocation
Very uncommon injury
•Mostly caused by auto accident or fall from heights.
•Severe pain and inability to move knee joint
E. Knee Joint Fracture
Involves femur, tibia, patella or fibula.
Fracture of patella is the most common knee joint fracture
observed following injury.
Patellar fracture is also common in patient suffering
with osteoporosis .
Mostly caused by auto accident or fall from heights.
Severe pain and inability to move knee joint.

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4. Patello-Femoral Syndrome
The condition is caused by irritation or inflammation of
articulation surface of patella and femur.
Irritation is caused by abnormal or shearing forces
generated by tendon and muscles attached to patella.
The inflammation or wear and tear of the articulating
cartilage between femur and patella causes severe pain
known as Patello-Femoral Syndrome.
Thinning and softening of the cartilage is also known as
Chondromalacia.
Patello-Femoral Syndrome is often associated with
dislocation or fracture of knee joint.

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5. Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a metabolic disorder that results in
demineralization of bone because of loss of calcium.
Bone becomes weak and brittle.
Osteoporotic bones easily fractures following severe cough
or even sneezing.