Aetiology of knee pain by anatomic site

The anatomic site of the pain can be useful in achieving an accurate diagnosis (1).

• anterior knee pain
  • patellar tendon causes - Osgood-Slatter, Sindig-Larsen-Johanssen, tendinopathy/rupture
  • patella causes - chondromalacia, patello femoral OA, stress fracture, Bipartite patella, Osteochondritis
  • intra-articular pathology - meniscal tear/cysts, plica syndromes o bursitis - prepatellar (2)
• medial knee pain
  • medial collateral ligament sprain
  • medial meniscal tear
  • pes anserine bursitis
  • medial plica syndrome
• lateral knee pain
  • lateral collateral ligament sprain o lateral meniscal tear
  • iliotibial band tendonitis
• posterior knee pain
  • popliteal cyst (Baker's cyst)
  • posterior cruciate ligament injury (1)

Reference:

• 1. Calmbach WL, Hutchens M. Evaluation of patients presenting with knee pain: Part II. Differential diagnosis. Am Fam Physician. 2003;68(5):917-22
• 2. Christian SR et al. Imaging of anterior knee pain. Clin Sports Med. 2006;25(4):681-702