Differential Diagnosis for Medial Knee Pain
- Single most likely diagnosis
- Medial meniscus tear: This is a common cause of medial knee pain, especially in individuals who participate in sports or activities that involve twisting or bending of the knee. The meniscus is a cartilage structure that can be damaged, leading to pain and stiffness in the knee.
- Other Likely diagnoses
- Medial collateral ligament (MCL) sprain: The MCL is a ligament that connects the femur to the tibia and provides stability to the knee. A sprain can occur due to a sudden twisting or bending motion, leading to medial knee pain.
- Pes anserine bursitis: This is an inflammatory condition that affects the bursa located on the medial aspect of the knee. It can cause pain and swelling in the area, especially in individuals with osteoarthritis or those who are overweight.
- Osteoarthritis: This is a degenerative joint disease that can cause medial knee pain, especially in older adults. The cartilage in the joint breaks down, leading to bone-on-bone contact and pain.
- Do Not Miss diagnoses
- Septic arthritis: This is a serious infection that can cause medial knee pain, swelling, and redness. It requires prompt medical attention to prevent long-term damage to the joint.
- Osteonecrosis: This is a condition where the bone tissue dies due to a lack of blood supply. It can cause medial knee pain and requires prompt medical attention to prevent further damage.
- Tumor: Although rare, a tumor can cause medial knee pain and should not be missed. A thorough evaluation, including imaging studies, is necessary to rule out this possibility.
- Rare diagnoses
- Medial plica syndrome: This is a rare condition where the plica, a fold of tissue in the knee joint, becomes inflamed and causes medial knee pain.
- Sartorius muscle strain: This is a rare cause of medial knee pain, where the sartorius muscle, which runs from the hip to the knee, becomes strained or torn.