Knee Pain Location Chart: Understanding Inner Knee Pain
Knee pain is one of the most common issues that affects people of all ages, commonly resulting from injuries, conditions, or overuse.
Knowing the location of your knee pain is crucial to identifying its root cause and, thereby, suitable treatment. A knee pain location chart can provide valuable insights, helping patients and healthcare providers pinpoint the source of discomfort.
Let’s understand knee pain through various location charts detailing potential issues associated with each area.
Signs of knee pain
- Joint swelling and knee pain
- Knee pain when bending or straightening
- Joint popping or locking sensations
- Feeling numb or feverish
- The skin covering the joint is tingling.
- The joint’s redness
- stiffness in the joints

The anatomy of the knee
The knee bears much of the body’s weight and is necessary for movement. Let’s take a look at the anatomy of the knee.
Bones
- The thighbone, or femur, is the top bone of the knee joint.
- The larger, weight-holding bone in the lower leg is called the tibia (shinbone).
- A little, flat bone in front of the knee joint is called the patella (kneecap).
Ligaments
- The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), placed in the middle of the knee, regulates forward motion and rotation.
- The PCL, or posterior cruciate ligament, is placed in the middle of the knee and regulates rearward motion.
- The medial collateral ligament (MCL), situated on the inside of the knee, gives it stability.
- The Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL), which is situated on the outer knee, stabilizes it.
Muscles
- The quadriceps are a quartet of frontal thigh muscles that help to straighten the knee.
- The muscles on the back of the thigh that bend the knee are called hamstrings.
Tendons
- Quadriceps tendon in the knee Tendon: Joins the patella to the quadriceps muscles at the front of the thigh.
- The patellar tendon joins the tibia to the kneecap (patella).
- The iliotibial band is a broad and thick tissue that ranges from the hip to the outside of the knee.
- Tendons in the Hamstrings: Attach the hamstring muscles to the knee bones.
Knee Pain Location Chart: Mapping Discomfort
A knee pain location chart is a practical tool that divides the knee into regions, such as the front, inner, outer, back, above, and below. By identifying the specific area of discomfort, you can better understand potential causes and communicate your symptoms effectively to a specialist.
Front of the Knee
Pain in the front of the knee often points to issues involving the patella (kneecap) or nearby structures. Common conditions include:
- Patellar Tendinitis: Also known as jumper’s knee, this inflammation affects the tendon connecting the kneecap to the tibia, causing pain during movement.
- Chondromalacia Patella: Damage to the cartilage under the kneecap can lead to discomfort, especially during activities like climbing stairs.
- Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome: Pain behind the kneecap, often due to misalignment or overuse.
- Prepatellar Bursitis: Inflammation of the bursa in front of the kneecap, resulting in swelling and tenderness.
- Dislocated Patella: A misaligned kneecap causes acute pain and restricted movement.
Inner Knee (Medial Side)
The inner knee pain location chart focuses on discomfort along the medial side of the knee. This area is commonly affected by:
- Medial Meniscus Tear: A tear in the cartilage between the thigh and shin bones, often causing swelling and stiffness.
- MCL (Medial Collateral Ligament) Injury: Damage to the ligament on the inner knee, often from a direct blow or twisting motion.
- Osteoarthritis: A degenerative condition that wears down cartilage, leading to stiffness and inner knee pain.
- Pes Anserine Bursitis: Inflammation of the bursa near the inner knee, causing tenderness and pain.
Outer Knee (Lateral Side)
Pain on the outer knee is often linked to conditions involving the lateral ligaments or surrounding tissues. Common causes include:
- LCL (Lateral Collateral Ligament) Injury: Damage to the ligament on the outer knee, resulting in instability and pain.
- Iliotibial Band Syndrome: Inflammation of the IT band, a thick tissue running along the outer thigh and knee, often seen in runners.
- Lateral Meniscus Tear: Damage to the cartilage on the outer side of the knee, causing swelling and reduced range of motion.

Back of the Knee
The back of knee pain location chart highlights issues in the posterior region, often caused by overuse or underlying conditions. Examples include:
- Baker’s Cyst: A fluid-filled swelling behind the knee, leading to tightness and discomfort.
- Hamstring Tendinitis: Inflammation in the hamstring tendons, causing pain and stiffness in the back of the knee.
- PCL (Posterior Cruciate Ligament) Injury: A ligament injury from direct impact to the knee, leading to instability and swelling.
Above the Knee
Pain above the knee is frequently linked to the quadriceps tendon or surrounding structures. Common conditions include:
- Quadriceps Tendonitis: Inflammation of the tendon that joins the quadriceps to the kneecap.
- Fat Pad Impingement: Inflammation of the fat pad beneath the kneecap, causing discomfort during movement.
- Arthritis: Joint inflammation that often extends to the area above the knee, causing stiffness and swelling.
Below the Knee
Discomfort below the knee often involves younger individuals’ patellar tendon or nearby growth plates. Possible causes include:
- Osgood-Schlatter Disease: Inflammation of the growth plate just below the knee, common in adolescents.
- Patellar Tendinitis: Pain and tenderness beneath the kneecap due to overuse.
How a knee pain location chart helps
By identifying your specific pain points using a knee pain location chart, you can narrow down potential causes and seek the right treatment. For example:
- Inner Knee Pain Location Chart: helpful for pinpointing ligament injuries, meniscus tears, or arthritis.
- Back Knee Pain Location Chart: Helps detect Baker’s cysts, PCL injuries, or hamstring tendinitis.
- Ligament Knee Pain Location Chart: Highlights issues with the ACL, PCL, MCL, or LCL, depending on the area of discomfort.
These charts serve as a guide for patients to understand their symptoms better and aid healthcare professionals in diagnosis.

Consult Dr. Hesham Al-Khateeb: Expert solutions with a knee pain location chart
Knee pain can inhibit your daily activities and affect your active life, but prompt diagnosis and suitable treatment can restore mobility and comfort.
Dr. Hesham Al-Khateeb a skilled specialist, delivers tailored solutions for knee pain using reliable techniques and avant-garde facilities.
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