Knee Pain Overview

Knee pain is a common problem that can affect people of different ages and may result from injury, joint degeneration, inflammation or other conditions affecting the knee. Persistent knee pain can interfere with walking, exercise, sleep and everyday activities.

Understanding the cause of knee pain is important because treatment depends on the underlying condition. For some patients, symptoms can be managed with conservative measures such as activity modification, medication and physical therapy. When pain persists or significantly affects quality of life, further assessment may be needed to determine whether other treatment options, including minimally invasive procedures, may be appropriate.

At the Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic in Singapore, Dr. Manish Taneja provides specialist assessment for selected patients with persistent knee pain and can help determine whether an interventional approach may have a role in their care.

Knee Pain at a Glance

• Knee pain can have many causes, including injury, arthritis, joint degeneration and inflammation.
• Persistent knee pain may affect walking, movement, exercise, sleep and everyday activities.
• Diagnosis usually involves assessing symptoms and the knee, with imaging used when appropriate.
• Treatment depends on the underlying cause and may range from conservative management to minimally invasive or surgical treatment.
• Some patients with persistent knee pain may be considered for Genicular Artery Embolisation (GAE) or other targeted treatments following specialist assessment.

What Is Knee Pain?

Knee pain refers to discomfort or pain affecting the knee joint and the structures surrounding it. It may develop suddenly following an injury or gradually over time as a result of joint degeneration or another underlying condition.

Knee pain can be felt:

• At the front, back or sides of the knee
• Around or beneath the kneecap
• Within the knee joint
• During movement or weight-bearing
• At rest or during the night in more persistent cases

The nature and location of pain can provide useful information about its possible cause, but a clinical assessment is needed to determine the underlying condition.

Common Causes of Knee Pain

Knee pain can result from several different conditions. Common causes include:

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint condition that can cause gradual loss of cartilage and changes within the knee joint. It may lead to pain, stiffness and reduced mobility.

Knee Injury

Injuries affecting the ligaments, cartilage, tendons or other structures of the knee can cause acute or persistent pain.

Meniscus Problems

The menisci are structures that help cushion and stabilise the knee. A tear or other meniscal problem may cause pain, swelling or difficulty moving the knee.

Tendon and Soft-Tissue Problems

Inflammation or injury affecting tendons and other soft tissues around the knee can cause localised pain, particularly during movement or activity.

Inflammatory Joint Conditions

Conditions that cause inflammation within the joints can contribute to knee pain, swelling and stiffness.

Other Causes

Knee symptoms can also arise from less common conditions affecting the bones, nerves, blood vessels or surrounding tissues. Persistent or unexplained symptoms should be assessed to determine the underlying cause.

Symptoms of Knee Pain

Knee pain can vary depending on its cause and severity.

Symptoms may include:

• Pain during walking or weight-bearing
• Pain when climbing stairs or standing up
• Knee stiffness
• Swelling
• Reduced range of movement
• Tenderness around the joint
• Clicking, catching or instability
• Pain that worsens with activity
• Persistent pain at rest or during the night

Some people may experience symptoms gradually, while others develop knee pain suddenly following an injury.

When Does Knee Pain Require Treatment?

Not all knee pain requires an invasive treatment.

For some people, symptoms may improve with conservative management, which may include:

• Activity modification
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation
• Exercise to improve strength and mobility
• Weight management where appropriate
• Medication or other non-invasive pain management

Further assessment may be appropriate when pain persists, repeatedly returns or begins to significantly interfere with everyday activities.

The appropriate treatment depends on the underlying cause, severity of symptoms and the individual's overall health and treatment goals.

Knee Pain Treatment Options

Treatment for knee pain depends on its underlying cause. Options may range from conservative management to minimally invasive procedures or surgery where appropriate.

Conservative Treatment

Initial management may include physical therapy, exercise, activity modification and medication, depending on the diagnosis.

Injections and Other Non-Surgical Treatments

Selected patients may be considered for targeted injections or other non-surgical approaches depending on the underlying condition.

Genicular Artery Embolisation

Genicular Artery Embolisation (GAE) is a minimally invasive treatment that targets selected blood vessels supplying the knee. It may be considered for certain patients with persistent knee pain associated with osteoarthritis after appropriate assessment.

GAE is not suitable for every patient, and specialist assessment is needed to determine whether it may be an appropriate option.

Other Treatment Options

Depending on the cause and severity of knee pain, other treatments or surgical approaches may be considered.

The appropriate treatment should be determined based on the diagnosis, symptoms, imaging findings and individual circumstances.

How Is the Right Knee Pain Treatment Chosen?

Choosing a treatment depends on more than the severity of pain alone.

A specialist may consider:

• The underlying cause of knee pain
• Severity and duration of symptoms
• Degree of joint degeneration
• Physical examination findings
• Imaging results
• Previous treatments and their effectiveness
• Mobility and impact on daily activities
• Other medical conditions
• The patient's treatment goals

For patients with persistent knee pain, specialist assessment can help determine whether continued conservative management, an interventional treatment or another approach may be appropriate.

When Should I See a Specialist for Knee Pain?

Consider specialist assessment if:

• Knee pain persists despite initial treatment
• Pain is interfering with walking, exercise, work or everyday activities
• Pain is becoming progressively worse
• You experience recurrent swelling or stiffness
• The knee feels unstable or repeatedly gives way
• You have persistent pain associated with osteoarthritis
• You would like to understand whether a minimally invasive treatment may be appropriate

A specialist can assess the likely cause of the pain and discuss treatment options based on your individual circumstances.

Knee Pain in Singapore

Patients in Singapore and abroad experiencing persistent or difficult-to-manage knee pain can seek specialist assessment to understand the underlying cause and available treatment options. At the Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic, Dr. Manish Taneja provides specialist assessment for selected patients with persistent knee pain, including assessment for minimally invasive treatment options where appropriate.

Assessment may include reviewing symptoms, previous treatments and relevant imaging before discussing whether an interventional treatment such as Genicular Artery Embolisation may have a role.

Frequently Asked Questions About Knee Pain