Three reasons you may feel knee pain when walking

Knee Pain When Walking

We rely on our knees to keep our legs in working order every day. When our knees are impaired, it can make walking uncomfortable and difficult. If you experience knee pain when walking, you shouldn’t ignore it; it can be debilitating and can affect your daily life. 

Do you experience knee pain when you’re walking? Physical therapy can provide an effective treatment to help reduce your knee pain when walking. 

Possible causes of knee pain when walking

There are numerous causes of knee pain. These conditions can be exacerbated by walking. Three of the most common causes of knee pain are:

  1. Osteoarthritis — Also known as “wear-and-tear” arthritis, osteoarthritis can occur with age. It happens when the cartilage in the joint becomes worn down over time. This can cause pain and stiffness in the knees. If you feel pain while walking, it may be because the joints in the knee don’t have enough cartilage to cushion them.
  1. Tendinitis — The tendons are fibrous cordlike tissue that attach the muscles and bones together. When they become irritated, the resulting condition is tendinitis. This can cause pain in the knee when walking. In fact, the knee is a common area affected by tendinitis. Another symptom of tendinitis includes tenderness; some swelling may also occur.
  1. Bursitis — Joints like the knee have fluid-filled sacs called bursae. The bursae are supposed to reduce friction in the joints when moving. When the bursae become irritated or inflamed, the condition is known as bursitis. The symptoms for bursitis include pain and discomfort in the affected joint. Since the bursae are responsible for lubrication of the joint, bursitis can cause pain in the knee when walking. 

Whatcom Physical Therapy is prepared to reduce your knee pain when walking

If you’re experiencing knee pain, physical therapy should be your next step towards relief. Our professional team at Whatcom Physical Therapy wants to help you regain your confidence when walking. We are experts in treating the different causes of knee pain and can build you a personalized treatment plan designed to target the underlying cause of your knee pain.

Contact our team today for more information about knee pain or to schedule an initial appointment.