8 surprising causes of knee pain when bending and how physical therapy may help

Your knees are made up of several bones, ligaments, tendons and muscles, and they absorb quite a bit of the force placed on your leg. This joint only functions smoothly when those components work well together. If one structure is injured, you'll likely feel it. In this article, we'll explore some reasons why you might feel knee pain when bending down and discuss how physical therapy can help you get back on the road to recovery.

8 possible reasons for why your knee hurts when you bend it

Depending on your lifestyle or occupation, new knee pain may take you by surprise. And you wouldn't be alone—it's one of the most common complaints in patients in many age groups across the United States. However, it's not always easy to identify the cause yourself if you haven't had an obvious injury or changed your daily routine. Knee pain when you bend may be due to any of the following: 

1. Runner's knee

Despite its name, runner's knee doesn't just affect athletes. Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a condition that can develop gradually and catch you off guard. This overuse knee injury is typically felt in and around your patella (kneecap) as a dull ache or a sharp, stabbing pain when you move. 

2. Jumper's knee

Patellar tendinitis (jumper's knee) occurs when the tendon that connects your kneecap to the top of your shin bone is inflamed. Jumper's knee is another type of overuse injury that affects athletes and other individuals. Along with pain inside the front of your knee, the area might be tender to the touch just below your kneecap and the joint may feel stiffer than usual.

3. Baker cyst

If you've recently injured your knee but have started feeling a new kind of pain, you could have a Baker cyst. A Baker cyst is a small lump filled with fluid that can form behind your knee. This benign growth typically arises due to a buildup of fluid and often heals along with your knee injury.

4. Knee bursitis

If your knee hurts when you bend it or kneel, you could have bursitis. Also called carpenter's knee or housemaid's knee, patellar bursitis occurs when the bursa (a fluid-filled sac in front of the kneecap) is damaged, inflamed or irritated. Extra fluid makes it swell, which puts pressure on the joint. 

5. Dislocated kneecap

It's possible for a dislocated kneecap to self-correct. This is called a transient dislocation. In this case, you might not even notice it was out of place. This type of ailment typically results in knee pain and swelling that mirrors other knee issues. 

6. Hip or foot injury

If you've experienced hip or foot issues, you might have inadvertently changed the way you walk to avoid painful symptoms. However, these gait changes can affect other areas of your body—like your knee—and cause discomfort in those areas.

7. Spinal issues

When a nerve in your spine becomes damaged, compressed or inflamed, you may feel symptoms elsewhere in your body—like your knee. This is known as referred pain. In this case, you may also be feeling discomfort in your lumbar spine (lower back) and other symptoms that'll help your provider dial into the root cause of the issue.

8. Knee arthritis

Unexpected or new knee pain can also mean you have arthritis, even if you're young. For instance, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) typically develops between ages 30 and 60. However, children and younger adults between 16 and 40 can get it, too. This is called young onset rheumatoid arthritis (YORA). In fact, the knee is one of the first joints that may yield symptoms.

How physical therapy helps with knee pain

Start by discussing your symptoms with your provider in detail. Knowing exactly where the pain is in your knee and when it occurs will aid in an accurate diagnosis. For example, pain above or behind your knee could signal a muscle, tendon or ligament issue. If it originates from deeper inside the joint, it could indicate a bone or cartilage injury. Also, keep an eye out for any swelling or bruising in the area that could point to another condition.

During physical therapy, your practitioner will take your symptoms into account and create a custom treatment plan. In this PT program, they may use a combination of methods to treat the underlying issue behind your knee pain and help prevent future issues. It may include services like:

• Leg exercises and stretches — Land and water exercises help strengthen muscles that support your knees for healthier, more stable joints.

• Knee joint or patellar mobilization — Gently maneuvering the joint or kneecap can help reduce pain and stiffness and facilitate proper function.

• Massage — Soft tissue massage increases circulation and eases muscle tension in and around your knee, promoting joint health and healing.

• Balance or gait training — These techniques are designed to help prevent falls and promote proper mobility, which reduces everyday knee strain. 

• Dry needling — By inserting thin, sterile needles into targeted areas around your knee, your physical therapist can stimulate your muscles and release tension.

Connect with KC Rehab for knee physical therapy

KC Rehab serves patients with knee pain and other injuries in several locations across the Kansas City Metro area. Our team takes a personalized approach to care, creating treatment plans that suit the unique needs of each patient, and offers a wide range of advanced treatments for knee pain. 

Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.