Knee Pain When Walking

Knee Pain When WalkingKnee pain when walking is one of the toughest knee issues to deal with. It’s simply because walking is a basic movement that can be both psychologically and emotionally draining when pain strikes.

The truth of the matter is the knee holds 75% of the weight of the body. This can be a huge strain even in healthy and active people. Knee pain can feel down right unbearable if you are overweight.

If you’re suffering from any kind of pain in knees while walking, it’s already past time to seek relief.

Knee pain when walking is most frequently caused by simple strain, anterior knee pain, tendinitis, and osteoarthritis. Each issue is explained below, along with pain relief tips.

Knee Pain When Walking Causes & Relief Tips

You are not alone if you have knee pain when walking, and there are ways to relieve the knee pain. But first we must pinpoint the cause of the pain. Only when we understand the cause, we can begin to correct it.

Simple Strain

Simple Strain: If you start feeling knee pain when walking it might be because you strained it by doing an activity your knees couldn’t handle. For most cases, the strained knee has not been damaged and will eventually get better once you stop the activity.

Relief Tips – Avoid future knee pain by stopping the activity, minimizing it or take frequent breaks. Warm up with these exercises before you do any major sport or rigorous knee activity. In addition, try these low impact exercises to further strengthen your knee. Lastly, make sure you have proper footwear and support for the type of activity you are engaging in. These small changes will minimize knee pain when walking.

Anterior Knee Pain

Anterior knee pain syndrome: This form of knee pain is felt at the front of the knee around the knee cap. You can suffer this condition for sitting for long periods of time, climbing stairs or engaging in physical activity. There is no specific cause of anterior knee pain and it is tough to evaluate.

Relief Tips – To avoid future anterior knee pain try RICE therapy. In addition low key knee exercises will help strengthen your legs and knees. For added knee pain relief take NSAIDS (over the counter pain medication).

Be sure to read our detailed article about Anterior Knee Pain for more information.

Tendinitis

Tendinitis: Tendinitis can be brought about by injuring or overusing the tendon that connects the knee cap to the shine bone. This condition is also referred to as jumper’s or runner’s knee (patellar tendinitis). It is mostly associated with heavy physical activity.

Some of the symptoms include swelling, redness and warmness of the knee. Read more about runner’s knee & popliteus tendinitis.

Relief Tips – For minor to moderate tendinitis use RICE (rest, ice, compress & elevate). In addition, NSAID’s will temporarily relieve your knee pain. For a more severe case of tendinitis explore massage and physical therapy. Also read these knee pain relief tips after running.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis: This form of arthritis is more common in older people and can cause severe knee pain when walking. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that wears down the cartilage in your knees. Studies have shown that osteoarthritis causes mild swelling on the knee joints which could be a major cause of your knee pain when walking. Check out the arthritis knee guide here to see if you have osteoarthritis or some other knee condition.

Relief Tips – Lifestyle modification, light exercise and bracing will greatly relieve your knee pain. However, contact your doctor for specific treatment to reduce, alleviate or eliminate pain from arthritis. Read our compilation of 101 knee pain relief tips to proactively search for a happier pain free life.

Have you ever had knee pain when walking? Please tell us your story below.

Article last updated on January 7th, 2019, first published on May 8, 2013.

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