If the sharp pain gets worse going upstairs typically indicates a problem with the tibiofemoral joint whereas if your sharp knee pain is worse coming down the stairs it is more likely to be a problem with the kneecap. However the most notable condition that comes to mind is Patellofemoral pain syndrome and Osteoarthritis.
Both children and adults can experience PFPS.
Stabbing pain in knee when walking up stairs. Knee pain when going upstairs can be caused by many things but two of the most common are chondromalacia patella and arthritis. These two conditions can take a seemingly benign task like stair climbing and turn it into a challenging endeavor. Fortunately increasing your knowledge of each issue can help you treat the condition and reduce your pain.
Knees are supposed to support us when we walk up a flight of stairs. Other than pain around the knee cap related to an injury most pain under around or in the kneecap is related to pressure or damage to the cartilage of the kneecap and the area underneath it where the kneecap glides explains Barbara Bergin MD board certified orthopedic surgeon at and co-founder of Texas Orthopedics Sports. Symptoms include pain and swelling tenderness over the kneecap and a deep dull ache around the knee.
Popping can occur with minimal activity and is often exacerbated by going up stairs. Treatment is reducing any repetitious activity applying ice and elevating the knee. Pain relievers such as ibuprofen Aleve and Tylenol are helpful.
Knee pain not associated with injury usually involves damage related to aging or overuse. When knee pain occurs with bending squatting and climbing stairs this damage is usually centered on the kneecap. Pain in the kneecap region is referred to as anterior knee pain or pain in the front of the knee.
Quite often people who experience knee pain going up stairs are perfectly fine and mobile while walking on flat ground or standing. Knee pain going up stairs can be caused by a large number of things and is something that should be taken care of as it can get worse depending on the root cause. The most common causes of knee pain going up stairs are.
In order of likelihood 1. This complaint often arises while running hence the name and gives as a complaint a stabbing pain in knee when walking up stairs or climbing stairs. Often the symptoms can be felt immediately after walking but sometimes the symptoms also occur the next day.
Knee bursitis can cause knee pain when climbing stairs. Bursitis is inflammation of a bursa ie. Fluid-filled sac near the knee joint.
A bursa lies between muscles or tendons and bone and aids in reducing friction during movement. Front knee pain while climbing stairs can be caused by irritation of your patellar tendon. Overuse of your quad muscles in the front of your thigh can cause inflammation of this tendon.
These muscles straighten your knee and keep it from bending too. Often walking itself feels ok but when you add any extra pressure to the knee joint such as squatting twisting running or going up and down stairs that brings on the sharp knee pain. If the sharp pain gets worse going upstairs typically indicates a problem with the tibiofemoral joint whereas if your sharp knee pain is worse coming down the stairs it is more likely to be a problem with the kneecap.
PAD is usually caused by hardening of the arteries or atherosclerosis and a classic symptom is cramping or pain in the affected leg particularly when walking or climbing stairs. Although this pain usually goes away with rest severe PAD may cause constant pain numbness and cold pale tissue in the affected leg. But as I mentioned knee cap pain is really common and how you can differntiate is that knee cap pain is often painful when you are climbing stairs getting out of a chair or getting off the floor often it can also be sore running or after sitting for long periods such as driving.
The knee doesnt often swell up but it can. For instance it will make it painful for you to do exercises regular walking and climbing stairs. In some cases youll feel knee pain when standing up from sitting position.
Many conditions cause knee pain. And setting these conditions apart might be a bit tricky. However the most notable condition that comes to mind is Patellofemoral pain syndrome and Osteoarthritis.
Knee Pain When Standing up from Sitting. Chondromalacia may lead to a dull pain when bending the knee or when the knee straightens right after bending it. Activities that might cause pain include.
Walking down hills or stairs. Strong leg muscles can mean less knee pain. Condition the quadriceps by alternating biking with running.
You can also strengthen those muscles by walking up hills or stairs. Pay close attention to knee problems. Dont try to power through the pain.
Instead take it easy on the stairs inclines and other areas that hurt your knees. No pain at night at rest walking going downstairs no pain extendingflexing. Simply put when I push down going up stairs or sittingstanding I get sharpstabbing pain which appears to be at the frontanteriormedial side of the knee and into the joint space.
Strong leg muscles can mean less knee pain. Condition the quadriceps by alternating biking with running. You can also strengthen those muscles by walking up hills or stairs.
Pay close attention to knee problems. Dont try to power through the pain. Instead take it easy on the stairs inclines and other areas that hurt your knees.
As for pain in the knee when going up a staircase but not when you run Dr. Carpenter says that other causes should be considered such as an imbalance of the supporting muscles involved with the knee over-tightening of the IT band Osgood-Schlatter disease displacement of the kneecap which could be related to an arch problem of the foot or bursitis in the knee. In most cases knee pain going down stairs usually indicates a problem with the knee cap patella and how it moves.
The kneecap is a small bone shaped like an upside down triangle which sits in the patella groove at the front of the knee and glides up and down as the knee moves. Knee pain is commonly felt when using the stairs because of the increased weight load especially when walking down stairs but there are ways to address the pain. Your health is the 1 priority.
AposHealth provider sites are taking steps to create a safe and sterile environment during AposHealth visits. Damaged cartilage may not cause pain when you walk. But as running deep knee bends squats or climbing stairs subjects the knee to additional stress the pain increases.
These types of motions force the kneecap to slide up and down. Worn cartilage cannot keep the kneecap in the groove when the knee is under pressure. Severe knee pain usually follows.
You may be unable to move the joint without assistance from a brace. Sudden knee pain could indicate the onset of osteoarthritis OA. Patellofemoral pain syndrome PFPS is also known as jumpers knee or runners knee.
This is a condition that is known to cause pain around or under the kneecap. This condition can happen in one or both of the knees. Both children and adults can experience PFPS.
The affected knee can hurt when you go up or down stairs. Chondromalacia patella is usually treated with rest and ice and little or no stair climbing at first. A supportive brace can also help.
Chondromalacia patella can cause knee pain when you are going down stairs. It happens when there is injury to the underside of the patella or knee cap in the area of the cartilage. It is usually seen in women as well as in teens and children.
Getting up from sitting or going down stairs can cause increased pain.