General information
Knee pain in active adults
Knee pain can interrupt pickleball, golf, work or simply taking the stairs. A small cartilage injury and widespread arthritis need different conversations. I start with your goals and a careful exam; a twist or an MRI finding is not an automatic path to surgery. Reasonable conservative care comes first whenever appropriate.
Common causes
- Meniscus irritation or tears, often with twisting
- Ligament sprains, including ACL injuries
- Pain around the kneecap with stairs, squats or sitting
- Cartilage wear and early arthritis
Where our conversation starts
A focal cartilage injury
What we consider first
A localized cartilage injury is different from widespread arthritis. Your exam and imaging help determine whether the damaged area may be suitable for repair or restoration.
Other options we review
Activity changes, physical therapy and appropriate pain relief come first when suitable. We can discuss cartilage repair, restoration or grafting, and selected orthobiologic options after reasonable conservative care, based on the specific injury.
Arthritis, catching or instability
What we consider first
Catching, locking, giving way or a change in alignment needs an evaluation; these symptoms alone do not establish a diagnosis or automatically mean surgery.
Other options we review
We consider exercise, therapy, support and appropriate medications or injections. Surgery may be appropriate when the confirmed structural problem and your function call for it. Orthobiologics cannot correct a mechanical blockage, major deformity or instability.
Where care usually starts
- Relative rest, ice and swelling control in the first days after an injury
- Quadriceps, hip and balance strengthening
- Activity changes and a graded return plan
- Bracing or support when helpful
If it isn’t improving
- Examination, imaging review and office ultrasound
- Targeted injections in selected cases
- PRP or other orthobiologic options using your own cells, after conservative care has had a fair trial
- Arthroscopic or reconstructive surgery when instability or structural damage clearly calls for it
Get seen promptly if you notice
- Knee locks, gives way repeatedly, or you cannot straighten it
- Rapid swelling after an injury or inability to bear weight
- Fever, redness or warmth with knee pain
For a medical emergency, call 911.
Read more in the free guide, Knee Pain, Injury, and Staying Active, or browse Patient Education and home exercises.
General education only — not medical advice or a diagnosis. Treatment decisions are made together after an examination.