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Knee Problems

Knee problems limit your physical activity and impact your quality of life. Self-care measures often resolve overuse problems, such as IT band syndrome or tendonitis. If you have a serious injury, you may require physical therapy, a knee brace or surgical repair.

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Types of Diseases

  • Arthritis
  • Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
  • IT Band Syndrome
  • Meniscus Injuries

Knee Problems Facts and Stats

Knee pain affects people of all ages and often results from injury such as sprains, strains or tears. Some knee pain originates from a medical condition such as arthritis, gout or infection.

  • Knee pain is widespread, causing approximately one-third of all U.S. doctor visits. 
  • Iliotibial band syndrome, one of the most frequent injuries among runners, causes about one out of 20 lower limb injuries in long-distance runners; it’s also prevalent among cyclists, hikers and backpackers. 
  • Nearly one in two people may develop symptomatic knee osteoarthritis by age 85. 
  • Knee replacement surgery is the most common joint replacement in the United States. Most people get a knee replacement between ages 50 and 80; the average age is 70.

Patient Information

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Interested in becoming a Sutter patient? Here’s what you need to know about health plans, choosing a doctor and how to get started today.

 
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Find a Knee Doctor

Knee Care

Advanced Knee Treatments

Sutter Health network orthopedic surgeons specialize in minimally invasive surgeries to repair knee injuries.

Biker

A New Knee

If you are experiencing chronic joint pain, explore knee replacement options before you do further damage.

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Torn ACL?

In the Sutter Health network, more than 70 board-certified sports medicine specialists attend to professional and amateur athletes.

Ask an Expert

Toni J. Brayer

Toni J. Brayer, M.D.

Sutter West Bay Medical Group

I am 62 and have been doing Jazzercise aerobic exercise regularly for over a year. I started doing Jazzercise in the morning and began having knee pain. Should I quit this type of exercise? If so, what else should I do to stay in shape?

Hopefully you will not need to give up your regular Jazzercise class since it has worked for you this past year. Most likely you have "tweaked" a ligament or muscle that attaches to the knee. Even seasoned athl... continue reading  about  I am 62 and have been doing Jazzercise aerobic exercise regularly for over a year. I started doing Jazzercise in the morning and began having knee pain. Should I quit this type of exercise? If so, what else should I do to stay in shape?

C. Scott Walthour

C. Scott Walthour, M.D.

Sutter Tracy Community Hospital

My knee pops out consistently when I work out. I'm 19 years old, at a healthy weight, and have an active lifestyle. I have quit working out several times due to painful cracks and pops. Is there anything that I can do to prevent this from happening?

A knee that decides to "pop" or make cracking sounds can be quite alarming. I think that all of us at one time or another have kneeled down and had our knees make a loud noise, but no pain occurs. In the majori... continue reading  about  My knee pops out consistently when I work out. I'm 19 years old, at a healthy weight, and have an active lifestyle. I have quit working out several times due to painful cracks and pops. Is there anything that I can do to prevent this from happening?

C. Scott Walthour

C. Scott Walthour, M.D.

Sutter Tracy Community Hospital

I fell two weeks ago on the sidewalk and hurt the side and top of my knee. It really swelled and was painful to the touch. Now it's much better but it is still sensitive when I kneel on it. Should I continue to give it some time?

Thanks for the great question. It sounds like your fall led to an injury to the front part of the knee around the knee cap. This is common when the fall happens on a flexed knee - lots of pain, but it generally... continue reading  about  I fell two weeks ago on the sidewalk and hurt the side and top of my knee. It really swelled and was painful to the touch. Now it's much better but it is still sensitive when I kneel on it. Should I continue to give it some time?

Arfan Din

Arfan Din, D.O.

Sutter Medical Group

I've been having knee pain when I bend it and when it's straight. It's also a little swollen above the kneecap. I'm hoping that this is just a mild sprain, but six years ago I had a blood clot in the same leg just below the knee. Should I be worried?

Knee pain as you describe best fits the picture of a condition we call patellar femoral syndrome. This is a very common condition of the knee that often occurs with activity. Patellar femoral syndrome is typica... continue reading  about  I've been having knee pain when I bend it and when it's straight. It's also a little swollen above the kneecap. I'm hoping that this is just a mild sprain, but six years ago I had a blood clot in the same leg just below the knee. Should I be worried?

Toni J. Brayer

Toni J. Brayer, M.D.

Sutter West Bay Medical Group

Are there certain exercises I can do after knee replacement to strengthen my knees to allow for climbing stairs easily?

Immediately after surgery you will learn to climb stairs safely using crutches. As recovery continues and you work on flexion and extension of the new knee, you will be able to climb without crutches. With the ... continue reading  about  Are there certain exercises I can do after knee replacement to strengthen my knees to allow for climbing stairs easily?

Ryszard J. Chetkowski

Ryszard J. Chetkowski, M.D.

Brown & Toland Physicians

My FSH level is 77. Can menopause be a reason that my knee joints hurt? I don't have any sports injury. Will it resolve in time?

High FSH does not directly cause joint pain or the inflammatory joint disease known as arthritis. If the pain persists and is associated with swelling, an X-ray or MRI may be appropriate. Non-steroidal anti-inf... continue reading  about  My FSH level is 77. Can menopause be a reason that my knee joints hurt? I don't have any sports injury. Will it resolve in time?

C. Scott Walthour

C. Scott Walthour, M.D.

Sutter Tracy Community Hospital

My knee locks up on occasion and pain radiates up to my hip and down my leg into my ankle. Is this something to be alarmed about? I do not have trouble walking, but it does ache more when sitting or laying in bed.

Knee pain is an extremely common complaint in an orthopedic surgeon's office. Some of the questions that we use to help sort out the cause of knee pain include:Is this an acute problem, or has is it started slo... continue reading  about  My knee locks up on occasion and pain radiates up to my hip and down my leg into my ankle. Is this something to be alarmed about? I do not have trouble walking, but it does ache more when sitting or laying in bed.

C. Scott Walthour

C. Scott Walthour, M.D.

Sutter Tracy Community Hospital

My daughter fell hard on her knee playing volleyball. An x-ray showed no fracture of the patella, but it did indicate pre-patellar bursitis. Is there anything she can do to speed up the healing?

This injury described presumably involves the front part of the knee called the pre-patellar bursa. Beneath the skin (and above the bone) the body has a natural cushion called a bursa. These fluid-filled sacs a... continue reading  about  My daughter fell hard on her knee playing volleyball. An x-ray showed no fracture of the patella, but it did indicate pre-patellar bursitis. Is there anything she can do to speed up the healing?

C. Scott Walthour

C. Scott Walthour, M.D.

Sutter Tracy Community Hospital

I've been having problems with my knee hurting when I bend it or straighten it out. What can I do to help the pain, and should I see a doctor?

Thanks for the question! From what you're describing, it seems that your knee hurts with full straightening (extension) and also full bending (flexion). This symptom of pain at the extremes of knee motion can b... continue reading  about  I've been having problems with my knee hurting when I bend it or straighten it out. What can I do to help the pain, and should I see a doctor?

Musculoskeletal Disorders Research

Sutter Health Musculoskeletal Disorders Research
Musculoskeletal disorders are injuries or pain in the body's joints, ligaments, muscles, nerves, tendons and other structures that support the arms, legs, neck and back. Specific disorders include such things as carpal tunnel syndrome, epicondylitis and tendinitis. It can also include cuts and fractures due to accidents. Research in this area seeks to improve the treatment of disorders and the prevention of accidents, especially in the work environment.

Sutter Health Musculoskeletal Disorders Research Sutter Health Musculoskeletal Disorders Research

Health and Wellness

Sorting Out Knee Pain

Knee Pain Self-Care

Learn when a knee injury requires medical rather than at-home care.

Knee Pain Self-Care

Experts Who Partner With You

Swimmer

Orthopedic Services

More than 400 orthopedic specialists serve the needs of patients in the Sutter Health network, providing solutions for everything from torn ACLs to joint replacement.

Doctor Profiles

The following doctors are part of the Sutter Health network. Learn about the doctors on this site
Keith W. Chan, M.D.

Keith W. Chan, M.D.

  • Orthopedic Surgery

James D. Spiegel, M.D.

James D. Spiegel, M.D.

  • Orthopedic Surgery

Frank S. Chen, M.D.

Frank S. Chen, M.D.

  • Orthopedic Surgery

  • Sports Medicine

Alexis D. Gaskin, M.D.

Alexis D. Gaskin, M.D.

  • Orthopedic Surgery

Karl Christoffersen, M.D.

Karl Christoffersen, M.D.

  • Orthopedic Surgery

Teodoro P. Nissen, M.D.

Teodoro P. Nissen, M.D.

  • Orthopedic Surgery

James L. Chen, M.D.

James L. Chen, M.D.

  • Orthopedic Surgery

  • Sports Medicine

Mark E. Endicott, M.D.

Mark E. Endicott, M.D.

  • Orthopedic Surgery

David R. Gotham, D.O.

David R. Gotham, D.O.

  • Orthopedic Surgery

View All Related Doctors

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