Knee pain involves discomfort in the body's largest joint, which includes bones, cartilage, ligaments, tendons, and bursae that support weight and enable movement. Pain can affect the front, back, or sides of the knee and ranges from mild discomfort during activities to severe pain interfering with walking or resting. Symptoms may be sharp with movement or dull and constant, developing suddenly from injury or gradually from repetitive stress and degenerative changes.
Your knees bear full body weight with every step while allowing bending, straightening, and rotating. Activities involving jumping, squatting, or direction changes create additional stress. Prolonged sitting, excess weight, and high-impact activities without conditioning contribute to knee problems. While many conditions improve with treatment, neglecting symptoms can lead to progressive damage and significant mobility limitations.