8 explanations behind that burning pain in your knee

Burning pain in the knee can occur in the front, back or sides of the knee joint. There are many reasons for you to experience burning pain in your knee — injury, overuse or a strained muscle are just a few of them. If you’re experiencing burning pain in your knee, there’s probably a larger issue going on in the joint. However, in order to properly treat your pain, you have to know what condition is causing it.

8 causes of burning knee pain

• Cartilage tear — The meniscus is a C-shaped piece of cartilage in the knee that cushions the area between the shinbone and the thighbone. If that cartilage gets torn or twisted due to an injury, it can cause burning pain and limited mobility.
• Chondromalacia — This condition occurs if the cartilage under the kneecap begins to deteriorate. If the cartilage becomes too thin to properly cushion the kneecap, it causes pain and burning in the knee. Chondromalacia is common for runners and athletes who put a lot of stress on their knees. 
• Iliotibial band syndrome — Iliotibial (IT) band syndrome is a repetitive knee strain that occurs when the connective tissue along the thigh gets aggravated during running or other physical activities. Symptoms include burning along the side of the knee where the tissue rubs against the knee.
• Ligament tear — Your knee contains four main ligaments that help stabilize the knee and keep it in place. If one of those ligaments gets torn, it can cause pain and burning in the knee. Partial ligament tears can be treated with noninvasive measures such as strengthening exercises and a protective brace. Full ligament tears may require surgery.
• Osteoarthritis — Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage that cushions the joints breaks down over time due to general wear and tear. This type of arthritis is common in the knees as well as the hips, hands and spine and may cause burning pain. 
• Patellar tendinitis — The tendon that connects your kneecap to your shinbone is an important part of your knee joint. If that tendon gets continually overused, it can cause patellar tendinitis. Symptoms of this condition include burning pain in the front of the knee.
• Patellofemoral pain syndrome — Patellofemoral pain syndrome is knee pain that occurs under or around the kneecap. While there’s no direct cause for this kind of pain, it’s common in runners and is sometimes known as runner’s knee. This condition can start as mild pain and burning that gradually increases over time.
• Nerve damage — If the nerves in the knee joint get injured or inflamed, they can cause a burning sensation in and around the knee joint. Nerve injuries can occur if the nerve gets trapped or pinched due to injury.

At REPAIR SI, our team is highly equipped to help you address your burning knee pain. If you’re ready to get your knee mobility back, contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.