- Knee strains occur as the result of a fall or injury that hyper-extends the knee joint, causing pain and irritation to the muscles and soft tissues surrounding the joint.
- The knee joint is surrounded by several small fluid-filled sacs called bursa, which help reduce soft tissue friction around the knee joint. Knee bursitis occurs when one or more of these bursa become irritated and inflamed, a condition that causes knee pain.
- A common source of knee joint pain is osteoarthritis, which is a degenerative joint disease that causes erosion of the articulating cartilage lining a body joint. Knee osteoarthritis gradually erodes knee joint cartilage and causes pain and limitations in movement.
- The knee joint is partially stabilized by powerful ligaments, which are bands of tough, fibrous tissue that encapsulate the joint. A tear in any one of these ligaments, which typically happens during a fall or accident, can cause severe knee pain.
- The bones that form the knee joint are separated by a thin, slippery substance called articular cartilage, which allows for smooth knee joint function. Any injury that tears this cartilage layer can cause knee pain and limitations in movement.
