The location of the pain can indicate its potential causes. When doctors assess your knee, they consider possible diagnosis based on the pain’s location- inside, outside, above, below, or on top of the kneecap. So, you can use a knee pain location or area chart to find out possible causes.
The knee joint is a hinged joint joining the top bone called the femur with lower bones called the tibia and fibula. The kneecap or patella sits on top of the knee. Between the tibia and fibula, two c-shaped cartilage called the meniscus act as shock absorbers. Ligaments and tendons, inside and outside the joint, hold the structure in place.
Review the knee pain location chart below to find out the possible causes of your knee pain. We have also added a back knee pain location chart for causes of pain behind the knee. For each condition, press on the name to find out more.
Knee pain location chart (click on your site of pain)
Inner knee pain
Pain above kneecap
Outer knee pain
LCL ligament tear
Proximal tibiofibular joint injury
Common peroneal nerve damage
Pain below kneecap
Pain at kneecap
Stress fracture of the patella
Back knee pain location chart
Inside back of knee
Top of the calf
Deep venous thrombosis
Outside back of the knee
Central back of the knee
It is never a good idea to ignore severe or persistent knee pain, particularly if you’ve already trialed conservative measures such as physical therapy. Other possible causes of constant knee pain include infection and autoimmune conditions such as inflammatory arthritis.
As a general rule, you should seek a specialist medical opinion if you sustained knee trauma or develop knee swelling, increased warmth, or mechanical symptoms such as locking or giving way. The knee pain area chart will help you decide on a cause, but it does not encompass all possible drivers of knee pain.
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