Help Me Decide

There are lots of things that make some people more likely to get one knee condition over another. A healthcare professional will be able to help to diagnose your condition based on these “risk factors” and based on your symptoms. Some clues may also be found below.

Knee Osteoarthritis

What does it feel like? (Some or all of these may be present)
  • Knee pain or soreness that is gradual in onset and worsens with activity.
  • Stiffness in the morning or after resting/staying in a position for a long time but goes away after some movement.
  • Grinding, clicking or cracking noises with joint movement (also known as crepitus).
  • Swelling in the joint.
    • Who is more likely to get it?
  • Those over 45 years of age (risk increases with higher age).
  • Females / Women.
  • People with overweight or obesity.
  • People who have previously had a traumatic knee joint injury.
  • Family / genetic link.
    • Go to Knee Osteoarthritis Page

    Meniscal or cartilage tear

    What does it feel like? (Some or all of these may be present)
  • Knee pain or soreness that is gradual in onset and worsens with activity.
  • Typically, pain is along the inner side of the knee, where your thigh bone meets your shin bone and comes on during activities like prolonged standing, walking and jogging or stairs.
  • Stiffness in the morning or after resting/staying in a position for a long time.
  • Grinding, clicking or cracking noises with joint movement (also known as crepitus) or feeling of knee giving way.
    • Who is more likely to get it?
  • Those over 40 years of age.
  • People with overweight or obesity.
  • Work that involves lots of kneeling or squatting.
    • Go to Meniscal Tear Page

    PATELLOFEMORAL (KNEE CAP) PAIN

    What does it feel like? (Some or all of these may be present)
  • Knee pain or soreness behind or around the kneecap that is gradual in onset and worsens with activity.
  • Symptoms aggravated by squatting, walking up or down stairs, downhill walking, running, jumping or straightening the knee after sitting.
  • Discomfort around the front of the knee with prolonged sitting or driving.
  • Darts of sharp pain on sudden or twisting movement.
  • Grinding/crackling noises or sensations when squatting or on stairs.
    • Who is more likely to get it?
  • Those under 40 years of age.
  • Also common in teenagers.
  • Females / Women.
  • Athletes like runners and long-distance cyclists.
    • Go to PATELLOFEMORAL PAIN Page