Mayo Clinic Health Manager

Get free personalized health guidance for you and your family.

Get Started

Free

E-Newsletter

Subscribe to receive the latest updates on health topics. About our newsletters

  • Housecall
  • Alzheimer's caregiving
  • Living with cancer

Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

If you're suffering from knee pain, you're not alone. Almost one in three Americans older than age 45 reports some type of knee pain, and it's a common reason that people visit their doctors or the emergency room.

Knee pain may be the result of an injury, such as a ruptured ligament or torn cartilage. Or, certain medical conditions, including arthritis, gout and infection, may be at the root of your knee pain.

Many relatively minor instances of knee pain respond well to self-care measures. More-serious injuries, such as a ruptured ligament or tendon, may require surgical repair.

Although every knee problem can't be prevented — especially if you're active — you can take certain steps to reduce the risk of injury or disease.

DS00555

Sept. 9, 2008

© 1998-2010 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

Print Share Reprints

Text Size: smaller largerlarger