Pain behind the knee is one of the more challenging musculoskeletal problems. The causes are many — muscle tears, tendon injuries, nerve damage, and even blood clots. As with most problems, the key is an early, accurate diagnosis. So what causes pain behind the knee, and how do you find the cause? This is [...]
More than 500,000 cortisone injections are given each year for musculoskeletal conditions such as arthritis and tendonitis. Cortisone reduces inflammation effectively, yet it's often stigmatised. So are cortisone injections bad for you — and when are they genuinely worth having? What is cortisone? Cortisone is a potent anti-inflammatory drug, used to reduce inflammation in [...]
Although less common than patellar tendonitis, quadriceps tendonitis is an important cause of quad pain above the kneecap. So how do we diagnose quadriceps tendon pain, and what can we do about it? Quadriceps tendonitis is one of several causes of front-of-knee pain. It differs from a quadriceps tendon tear (rupture of the tendon) [...]
A torn meniscus in the knee is a common cause of knee pain in active people and older adults. We used to treat most tears with keyhole surgery. But recent evidence shows that most settle with physiotherapy — so how should a torn meniscus be treated? What is the meniscus? The meniscus is a [...]
Arthritis of the knee cap, also called patellofemoral arthritis, is a common cause of pain at the front of the knee. The cartilage behind the knee cap (patella) begins to wear out. When the cartilage is worn out, the bone rubs against the lower leg (femur), causing pain. What is the patellofemoral joint? [...]
The most common cause of knee arthritis is osteoarthritis — the progressive wearing of cartilage, which exposes bone-on-bone contact and leads to inflammation, pain, and swelling. Lifestyle factors are the most effective treatment: regular exercise, a healthy weight, and a balanced diet. But cortisone has a limited effect and may cause harm, and surgery [...]
Fat pad impingement of the knee, also called Hoffa's syndrome, is a common cause of pain in the front of the knee. However, we should differentiate this condition from other causes like patellar tendonitis or patellofemoral arthritis. So, how do we correctly diagnose fat pad impingement, and what can we do about it? What [...]
A lump on the side of the knee — either inside or outside — is most often a meniscal cyst. A meniscal cyst is a collection of thick fluid from a tear in the meniscal cartilage, the knee's cushioning. But not all knee lumps are meniscal cysts. So how do we diagnose a meniscal [...]
A Baker's cyst, also called a popliteal cyst, arises from the knee joint and causes a lump at the back of the knee. We usually confirm the diagnosis by seeing a Baker's cyst on ultrasound. Sometimes a Baker's cyst drainage is needed to relieve pressure at the back of the knee, but is drainage [...]
Housemaid's knee, also known as prepatellar bursitis or kneecap bursitis, causes swelling and pain at the front of the knee. So why is it called "housemaid's knee", and what can you do about it? What is a housemaid's knee? A housemaid's knee is a swelling in the sac at the front of the knee, [...]
