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.

Types of Diseases

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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Knee Care

Advanced Knee Treatments

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

A New Knee

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

Torn ACL?

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

Ask an Expert

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?

C. Scott Walthour, M.D.

Sutter Tracy Community Hospital

My knee popped out of place two weeks ago. I popped it right back, and the swelling and pain have gone away. Is this normal, or does it indicate a problem?

A cracking noise heard with kneeling that is not painful and not associated with swelling can be secondary to soft tissue folds moving over the edges of the knee joint. Most people have experienced this sensati... continue reading about My knee popped out of place two weeks ago. I popped it right back, and the swelling and pain have gone away. Is this normal, or does it indicate a problem?

C. Scott Walthour, M.D.

Sutter Tracy Community Hospital

Why might I get swelling behind my knee when I run?

Swelling is a common concern when dealing with knee pain and knee injuries. Besides the appearance of a swollen knee, many patients complain of the discomfort and lack of motion that may coincide with the knee ... continue reading about Why might I get swelling behind my knee when I run?

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, 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.

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?

Arfan Din, D.O.

Sutter Medical Group

I have arthritis in my knees. What are some alternative forms of treatment instead of surgery? I've had cortisone shots, but they are ineffective now.

Good question. This is a common problem for many people. The non-operative treatments for the arthritis of the knees can include the following:Losing weight - If there is less pressure on the knee, there is les... continue reading about I have arthritis in my knees. What are some alternative forms of treatment instead of surgery? I've had cortisone shots, but they are ineffective now.

C. Scott Walthour, M.D.

Sutter Tracy Community Hospital

What is the RICE method of knee pain treatment?

The "R.I.C.E." method of treating mild sprains and strains in the lower extremities is a common and quite useful way to get back to normal activities.When a knee (or any other joint) becomes injured, there is o... continue reading about What is the RICE method of knee pain treatment?

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?

Musculoskeletal Diseases 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 Diseases Research Sutter Health Musculoskeletal Diseases Research

Health and Wellness

Sorting Out Knee Pain

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

Knee Pain Self-Care

Experts Who Partner With You

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.