Symptom Checker

  • When to seek medical advice

    • Get emergency care if knee pain is accompanied by any of the following factors:

    • You experience bleeding or severe pain after an injury.
    • Bone or tendons are exposed.
    • The knee is visibly out of place.
    • There's sudden swelling or redness.
    • You can't bend your knee or put weight on it.
    • You heard a popping sound or snapping sensation.
    • The pain is associated with fever and chills.

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Knee pain

Find possible causes of knee pain based on specific factors. Check one or more factors on this page that apply to your symptom.

  • Beginning suddenly

  • Dull or achy

  • Gradually worsening

  • Sharp or severe

  • Along one or both sides of the knee

  • Around the kneecap

  • Behind the knee

  • In the knee joint

  • Everyday activities

  • Injury

  • Overuse

  • Movement

  • Prolonged sitting or standing

  • Rest or inactivity

  • Bruising or discoloring

  • Decreased range of motion

  • Feeling of instability

  • Fever or chills

  • Grating sensation

  • Inability to bear weight

  • Locking or catching

  • Pain or stiffness in other joints

  • Popping or snapping

  • Skin redness

  • Stiffness

  • Swelling

  • Warmth to touch

 

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