{"id":28070,"date":"2026-04-30T11:58:26","date_gmt":"2026-04-30T11:58:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sosgenougeneve.ch\/?p=28070"},"modified":"2026-05-04T13:10:34","modified_gmt":"2026-05-04T13:10:34","slug":"pourquoi-jai-mal-au-genou-causes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sosgenougeneve.ch\/en\/pourquoi-jai-mal-au-genou-causes\/","title":{"rendered":"Why does my knee hurt? The most common causes explained"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Understanding the origin of knee pain to better respond<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To wonder&nbsp;<em>\u201cWhy does my knee hurt?\u201d<\/em>&nbsp;This is a common reaction to pain that appears suddenly or develops gradually. The knee is an essential joint in the body, constantly used during walking, sports, and everyday activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A&nbsp;<strong>knee pain<\/strong>&nbsp;can have very diverse origins:&nbsp;<strong>trauma, cartilage wear, inflammation or muscle imbalance<\/strong>. Some causes are benign, others require prompt attention to avoid complications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Understanding why a&nbsp;<strong>My knee is painful<\/strong>&nbsp;allows one to better adapt their behavior and avoid aggravating an injury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>A complex and highly stressed joint<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The knee is a hinge joint that connects the femur, tibia, and patella. It relies on a precise balance between several structures:&nbsp;<strong>cartilage, menisci, ligaments and muscles<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Every movement imposes significant stresses. When walking, the knee already supports several times the body&#039;s weight. When running or jumping, these stresses are even greater.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That&#039;s why a&nbsp;<strong>knee pain<\/strong>&nbsp;often appears when one of these structures is weakened or damaged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Knee pain after trauma<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the most frequent causes is the&nbsp;<strong>knee trauma<\/strong>. A fall, a shock or a wrong move can result in an injury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A twisted knee during a pivoting movement is a classic mechanism, particularly in sports like football, skiing or tennis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The main traumatic injuries are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>a&nbsp;<strong>knee sprain<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>a\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/sosgenougeneve.ch\/en\/rupture-ligament-croise-anterieur-lca\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"20352\">ligament rupture (ACL)<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>a&nbsp;<strong>meniscal tear<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>a contusion or fracture<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In these cases, the pain is often sudden, sometimes accompanied by swelling, instability, or difficulty walking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Knee pain without impact: the most frequent causes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It is also very common to have knee pain without any trauma. In this case, the pain is often related to a&nbsp;<strong>progressive wear or mechanical imbalance<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Knee osteoarthritis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>L&#039;<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/coulinmedical.com\/larthrose-mieux-comprendre-cette-maladie\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/coulinmedical.com\/larthrose-mieux-comprendre-cette-maladie\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">knee osteoarthritis<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0is a major cause of pain, particularly after 40-50 years of age. It corresponds to a progressive wear and tear of the cartilage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The pain usually appears:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>to the effort<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>during prolonged walking<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>going up or down the stairs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It can be accompanied by stiffness and sometimes swelling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Patellofemoral syndrome<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Very common among active people and athletes, the&nbsp;<strong>patellofemoral syndrome<\/strong>&nbsp;causes pain in the front of the knee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is often felt:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>in a prolonged sitting position<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>going down the stairs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>during the race<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This pain is related to poor alignment or a muscle imbalance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Knee pain after sports<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A&nbsp;<strong>knee pain after exercise<\/strong>&nbsp;is often linked to an overload. It can appear after:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>a recovery that was too quick<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>intensive training<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>a lack of warm-up<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this case, it is usually an irritation of the joint structures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Meniscus tears: a common cause<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The meniscus acts as a shock absorber in the knee.&nbsp;<strong>meniscal tear<\/strong>&nbsp;can occur after trauma or gradually with age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Typical symptoms include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>internal or external knee pain<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>sensation of being stuck<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>discomfort when bending<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Pain related to the meniscus may go unnoticed at first, but become chronic if left untreated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Ligaments: a cause of pain and instability<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Ligaments provide stability to the knee. Ligament damage, even partial, can cause pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The rupture of&nbsp;<strong>anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)<\/strong>&nbsp;is a common injury among athletes. It often leads to instability, with a sensation of the knee giving way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Knee pain: warning signs<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Not all pain requires immediate medical attention. However, certain signs should prompt a prompt consultation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is important to be concerned if:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>the pain persists for several weeks<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The knee remains painful at rest<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>an instability appears<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>significant swelling is present<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>the pain occurs after a trauma<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A painful knee that does not improve requires medical advice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What to do in case of knee pain?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When faced with pain, it is important to adopt the right reflexes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Relative rest is often recommended, avoiding painful activities. Applying ice can help reduce inflammation. A gradual return to activity is preferable to a prolonged complete break.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In some cases, a&nbsp;<strong>knee rehabilitation<\/strong>&nbsp;is necessary to correct imbalances and strengthen muscles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The role of diagnosis<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To understand why you have knee pain, an accurate diagnosis is essential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The doctor performs a clinical examination, then may prescribe:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>a&nbsp;<strong>X-ray<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>a&nbsp;<strong>Knee MRI<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These tests help to identify the exact cause and to propose an appropriate treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What treatments are available for a painful knee?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Treatment depends on the cause of the pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In most cases, a non-surgical approach is preferred:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>physiotherapy<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>muscle strengthening<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>anti-inflammatory treatment<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>infiltrations<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Surgery is considered only in more severe cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>A pain that should not be ignored<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A&nbsp;<strong>knee pain<\/strong>&nbsp;This is a warning sign. Whether it is related to trauma or gradual wear and tear, it must be taken into account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Understanding why you have knee pain allows you to act quickly and avoid long-term complications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Key takeaways<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A painful knee can have many causes, ranging from injury to osteoarthritis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Knee pain can be traumatic or progressive<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The menisci, ligaments, and cartilage are often involved.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Certain signs require prompt medical attention.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Early diagnosis allows for simpler treatment<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Appropriate treatment allows, in most cases, for a functional and pain-free knee to be restored.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Knee pain can appear for no apparent reason or after exertion. Injury, arthritis, meniscus or ligament problems\u2014the causes are numerous. Discover why your knee hurts and when to see a doctor.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":28677,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[104,99,100,97],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-28070","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-comprendre-informer","category-cartilage","category-ligament-croise-anterieur","category-menisque"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sosgenougeneve.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28070","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sosgenougeneve.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sosgenougeneve.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sosgenougeneve.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sosgenougeneve.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=28070"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/sosgenougeneve.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28070\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":28732,"href":"https:\/\/sosgenougeneve.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28070\/revisions\/28732"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sosgenougeneve.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/28677"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sosgenougeneve.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=28070"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sosgenougeneve.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=28070"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sosgenougeneve.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=28070"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}