Knee injury (site of pain and possible cause of injury)

• If medial knee pain
  • if an acute knee injury causes include:
    • medial meniscus injury, articular cartilage injury of medial compartment, or medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury
      
      
  • if a chronic injury then causes include:
    • medial compartment arthritis, pes anserine bursitis, and a degenerative medial meniscal tear
      
      
• If lateral knee pain
  • if an acute knee injury then causes include:
    • lateral meniscus tear, lateral compartment articular cartilage injury, or posterolateral corner injury (to include the fibular collateral ligament)
      
      
  • if a chronic knee injury then causes include:
    • lateral compartment arthritis, biceps bursitis, and a degenerative lateral meniscus tear
      
      
• If anterior knee pain
  • if an acute injury then causes include:
    • patellar subluxation or dislocation and patellar or trochlear groove chondral injuries
    • patellar tendon rupture should be considered if patient aged of 30 to 45 years old
    • quadriceps rupture is more likely in the age range of 45 to 60 years old
      
      
  • if chronic injury then causes include:
    • patellofemoral joint chondromalacia (arthritis) and patellar tendonitis
      
      
• If posterior knee pain
  • if acute injury then causes include:
    • posterior capsule injuries, posterior cruciate ligament injury, or posterior horn meniscal tears
  • if chronic injury then causes include:
    • posterior horn meniscal tears or a Baker's (popliteal) cyst

Reference

• Duong V et al. Evaluation and Treatment of Knee Pain: A Review. JAMA. 2023 Oct 24;330(16):1568-1580