Differential Diagnosis for Tenderness just Superior and Medial to Knee
- Single most likely diagnosis
- Medial meniscus injury or medial collateral ligament (MCL) sprain: The location of the tenderness is consistent with the anatomy of the medial meniscus and MCL, making these injuries the most likely cause of the symptoms.
- Other Likely diagnoses
- Pes anserine bursitis: This condition, characterized by inflammation of the bursa located on the medial aspect of the knee, can cause tenderness in the area superior and medial to the knee.
- Medial hamstring strain: The medial hamstring muscles are located in the posterior thigh and can refer pain to the medial knee area, making a strain of these muscles a possible cause of the tenderness.
- Osgood-Schlatter disease (in adolescents): This condition, characterized by inflammation of the patellar tendon at its insertion on the tibial tubercle, can cause pain and tenderness in the area just below the knee, but can sometimes be felt more medially.
- Do Not Miss diagnoses
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT): Although less common, DVT can cause pain and tenderness in the thigh, including the area superior and medial to the knee, and is a potentially life-threatening condition if not promptly diagnosed and treated.
- Septic arthritis or osteomyelitis: Infection within the knee joint or the surrounding bone can cause severe pain, tenderness, and swelling, and requires urgent medical attention to prevent serious complications.
- Rare diagnoses
- Sartorius muscle strain: The sartorius muscle is located in the anterior thigh and can refer pain to the medial knee area, but strains of this muscle are relatively rare.
- Femoral stress fracture: A stress fracture of the femur can cause pain and tenderness in the thigh, including the area superior and medial to the knee, but is less common than other causes of knee pain.