It’s worth noting that if your pain has come on suddenly, you can’t put weight on your leg or you’re feeling hot or shivery, then it’s time to take a trip to A&E. Any kind of ongoing pain in your knee also isn’t normal, so it’s a good idea to speak to your GP if you’re struggling with discomfort for a couple of days.

However, the guide to knee pain below should help you to identify where your knee pain is coming from, as well as what kind of treatment options might be available to you.

1. Front knee pain

Also known as anterior knee pain, front knee pain is often a sign of a soft tissue injury. “It can feel different for different people, depending on what’s caused it,” McClelland explains.

“It’s often felt in both knees – unless you’ve injured just one – and can be felt around your kneecap sharply, or as a dull, continuous ache. Your pain might feel worse if you’ve been sitting down for a long time and then stand up. Bending your knee through movement – eg when you’re walking or using stairs – might worsen the pain, too.

Causes of front knee pain include:

Runner’s knee – also known as patellofemoral pain syndrome, this condition is often caused by overuse and injury. The pain comes from inflammation underneath the kneecap and often occurs when you straighten your leg – for example when you get up from a chair.
Patella tendinopathy – also known as jumper’s knee, this condition occurs when the tendon attaching your kneecap to your shinbone becomes inflamed. If not treated, this can lead to tears. It’s commonly caused by sports involving jumping, but can also be caused by running.
Osteoarthritis – most common in this after 50, osteoarthritis-related knee pain occurs when the cartilage around your thigh and shin bones breaks down over time.
Hypermobility – hypermobility can increase your risk of injury, leading the muscles around your knee to become imbalanced and wear down the joints, all of which can lead to pain and discomfort.
ACL injuries – usually caused by twisting your knee playing sports, ACL injuries occur when the anterior cruciate ligament which connects your thigh bone to your shin bone is partially or completely torn. It’s common to hear a ‘pop’ and experience swelling when it happens.

Knee pain causes: 4 of the main types of knee pain – and how to deal with them