Knee Pain When Walking - An Overview - Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention

The knee is an especially vulnerable joint. It takes on a lot of stress when you walk, run, jump or climb anything. Even if they have not incurred any major knee trauma, many people will still suffer from knee pain brought on by regular wear and tear over time.

A. ) How do you Determine the Cause of Knee Pain?

If you get severe knee pain while walking, chances are the pain would not have been caused by the walking itself. A number of observations will help your doctor determine the immediate cause of your knee pain. Some of these include:

1.) Your age
2.) Whether your knee has suffered an injury at some stage
3.) Exactly where the knee pain is (front or back of the knee, inside or outside section of the joint)
4.) Did the knee pain start suddenly or has it come on gradually over time?
5.) What are the activities that bring on the knee pain?

B. ) What are the Common Knee Pain Symptoms?

In addition to determining what caused the knee pain, you will also need to consider the exact symptoms you are suffering from in order to be able to get the right treatment. Some of the most common knee pain symptoms include:

1.) Locking (where you cannot straighten or bend your knee)
2.) Popping or snapping sensation in the knee
3.) Giving way (feeling as if your knee is giving way when you walk)
4.) Inability to put weight on the knee
5.) Grinding feeling
6.) Swelling and whether this appeared suddenly following injury or appeared more slowly
7.) Worsening knee pain when walking or bending the knee

C. ) What are the Possible Causes of Knee Pain when Walking?

The following are just some of the more common factors that cause severe knee pain when walking:

1.) Tendonitis - Tendonitis is an inflammation or irritation of the tendons. In addition to having a swelling in the front of the knees, if you suffer severe knee pain when walking and it feels worse while climbing stairs or when running, then you may have tendonitis.

2.) Meniscus injuries - Meniscus injuries are caused by a tear in the cartilage in your knee joint. This can cause severe pain in the knee and a feeling that you cannot straighten out the knee. There will also be some swelling.

3.) Bursitis - Inflammation of the cushioning fluid sacs in the knee causes bursitis. If you have bursitis your knees will be stiff and swollen and they will feel painful even when you are not walking.

4.) Knee arthritis- Knee arthritis involves stiffness, swelling and knee pain when walking.

D.) What Can be Done About Severe Knee Pain when Walking?

If you are suffering from severe knee pain when walking, it is important that you consult your doctor for an accurate diagnosis. Appropriate treatment will depend on the cause and severity of the pain and could involve surgery or anti-inflammatory medication.

A knee brace is one of the most effective ways to protect your knee from further injury or whilst recovering from surgery. The brace works to keep the joint stable and prevent movements which could cause further damage to the knee. Other options for self help include ice packs, rest and elevation and compression bandaging to prevent fluid build-up. Physical therapy is extremely beneficial as it strengthens the supporting muscles, which then help to stabilize your knee and reduce the severe knee pain when walking.