There are many potential causes of knee pain when climbing the stairs. These include ligament injuries, patellofemoral pain, which is common is people who take part in sports that involve running and jumping or chondromalacia, which affects people who are overweight, or play football, cycle or run.

Knee pain when going up stairs can also be caused by osteoarthritis, especially as you age.

Going downstairs can put even more pressure on your knees than climbing stairs, so it’s not surprising that people can struggle more when descending a flight of steps.

In the same way as going upstairs, knee osteoarthritis, ligament injuries and patellofemoral syndrome can cause pain while going downstairs. If the muscles around the knee are damaged this can also cause discomfort, as can iliotibial (IT) band syndrome where the tendon that runs from the top of the pelvis, over the knee to the top of the shin, can become inflamed.

Front knee pain (anterior knee pain)

There are many causes of front knee pain, including:

• Overuse or an injury caused by a knock or blow while taking part in sport or in your job
• Being overweight which puts pressure on your knee joint
• Poor alignment of your kneecap
• Being hypermobile ('double jointed')
• Having flat feet

Back of knee pain (posterior knee pain)

Pain behind your knee can spread to the calf muscle and stop you from bending your leg properly. The most common causes of posterior knee pain are:

• Injury to your hamstring through overstretching or to your posterior cruciate ligament from a hit to the front of the knee
• A torn meniscus, which can cause pain when you bend or twist
• Baker’s cyst, which can develop in the shallow pit at the back of your knee
• Osteoarthritis which develops due to wear and tear to the cartilage which lines the knee joint

Inner knee pain (medial knee pain)

Interior knee pain can be caused by:

• A blow to the outside of your knee, which often pushes the knee inwards
• Activities which involve twisting or pivoting of the knees, such as skiing or some manual jobs
• Overuse of the knee in sports such as cycling or gymnastics

Outer knee pain (lateral knee pain)

There are several situations which can cause outer knee pain:

• An injury to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), which is common if you do a sport which involves twisting your knees, such as rugby or football
• Exercise overuse, for example, lateral knee pain while running can be caused by suddenly increasing the distance covered, as can knee pain when cycling
• A work-related meniscal injury, especially if your job involves lifting and twisting
• If you have a congenital condition such as being knock-kneed or bow-legged

You can try several things to relieve knee pain:

• Special exercises and stretches for knee pain may help, as will gentle walking, swimming, or cycling
• Painkillers can provide short term relief; check with your GP or Pharmacist if you’re unsure
• Cold compression packs can provide short term relief
• Stay positive – if you’re able to stay optimistic, it’ll be easier to keep up with exercises and activities which will help relieve the pain

If your knee is swollen and causing you pain, you should apply an ice pack for at least 72 hours or until the swelling goes down. Once the swelling has subsided, a heat pack can help reduce stiffness in the knee joint.

There are many ways to prevent knee pain:

Stay active

Exercises such as swimming and cycling allow your knees to go through the full range of motion, which helps the synovial fluid which cushions your knee joints to lubricate the knees and prevent pain and stiffness. Stretching is also an important way to preserve your joints as it prevents your ligaments and tendons from becoming tight and prone to injury.

Manage your weight

Being overweight can put pressure on your knees and affect cartilage.

Wear well-fitting shoes

Shoes which fit well and have a sturdy sole can help maintain the correct walking pattern, which will prevent injuries to your knees. As part of our podiatry service, we offer gait analysis, which can help understand the source of your knee pain.

Get injuries checked out as soon as you can

If you’re injured, it’s important to speak to a health professional as soon as possible to stop a small injury becoming more chronic (long term). Our Private GP service offers fast access to a 25-minute appointment for £100 or you can book an appointment with our Physiotherapists or Orthopaedic consultants who specialise in treating knee pain.

If your knee pain doesn’t go away within a couple of weeks, or it’s stopping you from doing everyday activities, our Private GPs can help. They may suggest you rest your leg, use an ice pack, or take painkillers. If you’ve tried these already, they may refer you to a specialist for physiotherapy, an injection into your joint or surgery.

If your pain has gone on for longer, you can book a consultation with our orthopaedic knee specialists.