Knee pain: Symptom

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Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

Knee pain refers to pain that occurs in and around your knee joint. Knee pain can be caused by problems with the knee joint itself, or it can be caused by conditions affecting the soft tissues — ligaments, tendons, or bursae — that surround the knee.

The severity of knee pain can vary widely. Some people may feel only a slight twinge, while others may experience debilitating knee pain that interferes with their day-to-day activities. In most cases, self-care measures can help you cope with knee pain.

Causes
References
  1. Ferri FF. Knee pain. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2010. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/206881312-7/1016844724/2088/1004.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05609-0..00046-0--s0020_15507. Accessed June 23, 2010.
  2. Anderson BC. Patient information: Knee pain. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 23, 2010.
  3. Pallin DJ, et al. Knee injuries. In: Marx JA, et al. Rosen's Emergency Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=bookPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05472-0..00054-2--s0150&displayedEid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05472-0..00054-2--s0460&uniq=206881312&isbn=978-0-323-05472-0&sid=1016844724. Accessed June 23, 2010.
  4. Hergenroeder AC. Causes of knee pain and injury in the young athlete. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 23, 2010.
  5. Knee and leg. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/menus/leg.cfm. Accessed June 23, 2010.
  6. Anderson RJ, et al. Evaluation of the adult patient with knee pain. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 23, 2010.
  7. Wilkinson JM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. June 28, 2010.
MY00258 Oct. 30, 2010

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