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How to diagnose your knee pain?

 Knee pain occurs in the knee joint caused by an injury or medical conditions and can affect people of all ages. There are varied causes of knee pain such as anatomical knee parts (bones, tendons, ligaments) injury, several conditions like obesity, arthritis, sudden trauma while playing sports (skiing, basketball, running). Lack of knee flexibility and strength and past knee injuries also contribute towards the knee pain.

Only by assessing your knee, it is possible to detect the cause. That’s how your physician can recommend suitable treatment method.





Diagnosis of knee pain

  1. Physical examination

While examining your body physically, your doctor is likely to:

  • Check your knee for pain, swelling, warmth, tenderness, and bruises

  • Check the mobility of your knee and leg in different directions

  • Push on or pull the joint to assess the integrity of the parts in your knee


  1. Imaging tests

Next, your physician might suggest several imaging tests, such as:

  • X-ray test: Your physician may first recommend you have an X-ray, which can help in detecting bone fractures and joint degeneration.

  • Computerized tomography (CT) scan: CT scanners combine X-rays which is taken from varied angles, to create cross-sectional images of the interior part of your knee. CT scans can help in studying bone problems and minor fractures. A particular type of CT scan can even detect gout accurately, even when the joint is not inflamed.

  • Ultrasound test: This technology produces real-time images of the soft tissue structures within and around your knee by using sound waves. Your doctor may move your knee in various positions during the ultrasound test to check for any specific problem.

  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test: An MRI test uses radio waves and a powerful magnet to produce 3D images of the interior part of your knee. This test is specifically used to reveal injuries to soft tissues such as tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and muscles.


  1. Lab tests

If your doctor suspects any inflammation or infection, he may recommend you undergo blood tests. There is also a procedure named arthrocentesis, where a small amount of fluid sample is taken from within your knee joint using a needle and sent to the lab for analysis.
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