Knee pain is a usual complaint across different ages.[1] Soft tissue injuries such as ruptured ligaments or damaged cartilage can cause knee pain.[2] However, pain above the knee joint can also result from trauma to the thigh muscles and other medical conditions.
What other symptoms can accompany above knee pain?
Knee pain is often accompanied by swelling, stiffness and popping sensation. In addition, injury to the ligaments of the knee joint can cause weakness and stability.
What are the causes of pain above the knee ?
Soft tissue injury to the quadriceps and hamstring muscles are some of the most common causes of above knee pain. Joint problems such as arthritis and knee bursitis can also cause discomfort and pain above the knee joint. A recent Australian study on knee injury showed the rates are increasing and strategies are needed to reduce the incidence.[3]
1. Patellar Tendonitis
Patellar Tendonitis can be caused by excessive stress or overloading of the tendons during intense physical activities such as sports. Pain and difficulty bending your leg are typical quadriceps or hamstring tendonitis symptoms.
A consultation with your physiotherapist is recommended if you have severe pain and limitation due to tendonitis to start proper treatment and prevent this injury from recurring.
2. Arthritis
The cartilage in your knee serves as a cushion at the surface of the joint. This allows smooth bending and straightening of your leg and protects the knee joint from weight-bearing stresses.
Arthritis occurs when the cartilage gets damaged or worn out due to age or excessive physical activities. Swelling and pain in the surrounding areas of the knee joint are common signs of arthritis.
Most cases of arthritis are treated with exercises prescribed by a physiotherapist and pain medication or anti-inflammatory treatments. It is essential to consult a medical doctor or physiotherapist if you have signs of arthritis to prevent further damage to your joints.
3. Knee bursitis
A bursa is a fluid-filled sac that serves as a cushion to minimise the friction between the bone and other soft tissues. Excessive stress on the knee can result in inflammation of the bursa, causing pain above the knee joint.
Walking and bending the legs may become difficult and painful if you have knee bursitis. The main focus of treatment is managing the symptoms and keeping you active through therapeutic exercises and medication.
Severe knee bursitis may require surgery to resolve the pain and improve your function.
How can you prevent above knee pain?
Many injuries and medical conditions affecting the knee can be prevented by having routine stretching and strengthening exercises for the key muscles of the lower body. Proper activity phasing and sufficient recovery periods can also prevent overuse injury to the knee.
Age-related conditions such as arthritis may eventually develop later in life. However, your medical doctor and physiotherapist can help you manage the symptoms and allow you to live your life to the fullest.
Consult a physiotherapist
It is essential to be mindful of other symptoms of your injuries and consult a medical professional if you are experiencing severe pain or if your condition worsens over time.
You should be aware of injuries to the nerves running from your spine down to your leg. Check if you have difficulty moving your leg or experiencing numbness and radiating pain.
Warmth and tenderness on the calf muscle could indicate a blood clot formation and requires immediate medical attention.
A physiotherapist can help you identify the root cause of your pain and provide you with high-quality treatment to help improve the condition and prevent your injuries from recurring.
Takeaway
The knee joint and its surrounding areas are prone to injury and pain. Many of them are related to overuse injuries or wear and tear. Therefore, it is essential to keep your leg muscles strong and maintain a healthy physical routine.
If your symptoms worsen and do not go away with a few days of rest, consult your physiotherapist or medical doctor for proper evaluation.
