Most adults will wind up suffering knee pain in one form or another at various points in their lives.  Sometimes it’s mild and sporadic, but other times, it can occur on a frequent basis. Sometimes it can be so severe that it can be debilitating and keep you from living life to the fullest.

While there are all sorts of things that can cause knee pain, here are some of the more common ones:

  • A damaged meniscus – A torn or damaged meniscus is one of the most common causes of knee pain in adults. Minisci are layers of cartilage that serve as cushions between your shin bone and your thigh bone.  If you’re performing a physical activity that puts too much stress on your knees, it can cause the meniscus to tear which causes sharp, shooting pain. It may keep your knees from functioning properly, including limiting your range of motion.
  • Bursitis – Another common cause of knee pain. Bursae are small pockets of fluid that lubricate the tendons in your shoulders, hips and knees, allowing them to move freely.  Inflammation of your bursae causes pain. Depending on a number of factors, it may come on suddenly and severely, or build up gradually over time.
  • Patellar Tendinitis – Tendons are tough, flexible bands of tissue that connect your muscles to your bones. Any time you overexert yourself, your tendons can become inflamed and sore.  If you’ve heard people complaining of having “jumper’s knee,” this is the condition they are describing. High impact exercise can cause this.
  • Osteoarthritis – The longer you live, the more wear and tear your body will suffer. The pain from the condition is caused by the loss of cartilage, which allows the bones to rub together, causing pain.  If you suffer from the condition, you’ll notice that repetitive movements or working out increase the pain.  The good news is that rest tends to alleviate the pain, so if you have osteoarthritis, be sure to pace yourself and take frequent breaks!

As we mentioned, there are plenty of other possible causes of knee pain, but these are the Big Three to watch out for.