Knee Pain
KNEE PAIN & MOBILITY
Knee pain can come from injury, overuse, arthritis, tendon irritation, ligament strain, meniscus problems, or changes in movement mechanics. Evaluation helps identify the cause and guide the right next steps for pain relief and mobility.
- Pain with walking, stairs, or activity
- Swelling, stiffness, or limited motion
- Clicking, catching, or instability
- Evaluation depends on cause and severity
Evaluation & Next Steps
- Clear severity assessment and next steps
- Supportive care and recovery guidance
- Care across 4 Las Vegas locations
Call: (702) 703-4340
Hours: Mon–Fri: 8am–5pm
On this page
Quick Summary
Key takeaway: Knee pain is a symptom, not a single diagnosis. It may be related to injury, arthritis, overuse, tendon irritation, cartilage problems, or movement mechanics that need targeted evaluation.
Evaluation usually focuses on where the pain is located, how symptoms started, whether swelling or instability is present, and whether imaging or additional testing is needed to guide treatment.
Overview
What is Knee Pain?
Knee pain can affect the front, back, inside, or outside of the knee. It may appear suddenly after an injury or develop gradually from repetitive activity, joint wear, alignment changes, or soft-tissue irritation.
Why Evaluation Matters
Persistent knee pain can limit walking, stairs, exercise, work, and daily activity. Evaluation helps determine whether symptoms are related to a ligament injury, meniscus problem, arthritis, tendon irritation, bursitis, or another cause.
Symptoms
Knee pain symptoms vary based on the underlying cause. Some people notice sharp pain after injury, while others develop aching, swelling, stiffness, clicking, weakness, or pain that worsens with activity.
Pain with Activity
Pain may worsen with walking, stairs, squatting, kneeling, running, or standing for long periods.
Swelling or Stiffness
The knee may feel swollen, tight, stiff, or harder to bend or straighten after activity or injury.
Clicking or Catching
Some knee problems cause popping, catching, locking, grinding, or a feeling that movement is not smooth.
Weakness or Instability
The knee may feel weak, unstable, or like it may give way during walking, stairs, or sports activity.
Seek care now if…
Seek prompt evaluation if knee pain follows a major injury, you cannot bear weight, swelling is severe, the knee looks deformed, numbness develops, fever is present, or the knee locks and cannot move normally.
Causes & Risk Factors
Knee pain can develop from injury, overuse, joint irritation, tendon problems, arthritis, instability, or changes in lower-extremity mechanics.
Common Causes
- Ligament sprain or tear
- Meniscus or cartilage irritation
- Arthritis or joint inflammation
- Tendonitis or overuse injury
- Bursitis or soft-tissue irritation
The cause is often related to how symptoms began, where pain is located, and whether swelling, stiffness, instability, catching, or weakness is present.
Risk Factors
- Recent twist or fall
- Repetitive impact activity
- Prior knee injury
- Sports or work demands
- Arthritis history
- Limited strength or flexibility
- Foot or ankle alignment issues
- Increased training volume
Diagnosis
Diagnosis starts with a symptom review, physical exam, and assessment of knee motion, swelling, tenderness, stability, strength, and walking pattern. Imaging may be recommended when symptoms suggest structural injury, arthritis, or another concern.
Typical Evaluation
- Symptom and injury history
- Knee motion and stability exam
- Tenderness and swelling check
- Walking and activity review
- X-rays or imaging when needed
What to Bring
- When symptoms started
- Prior knee injuries
- Current braces or supports
- Activity or sports demands
- Previous imaging or records
Treatment Options
Treatment depends on the cause of knee pain, severity of symptoms, activity needs, and whether instability, arthritis, tendon irritation, cartilage injury, or another condition is involved.
Related care: Treatment planning may include activity modification, bracing, rehabilitation, imaging review, injections, or specialist referral when symptoms suggest a more complex knee problem.
Early Care
- Rest from painful activity
- Ice and swelling control
- Elevation when swollen
- Activity modification
Bracing / Immobilization
- Knee brace support
- Compression when appropriate
- Short-term protection
- Gradual return to activity
Rehabilitation / Physical Therapy
- Range-of-motion work
- Strength and balance training
- Gait and movement retraining
- Return-to-sport progression
Additional Evaluation
- Pain after major injury
- Unable to bear weight
- Persistent swelling
- Locking or instability
Recovery
Recovery depends on the cause of knee pain, severity of tissue or joint involvement, activity level, and how well symptoms respond to protection, rehabilitation, and follow-up care.
What Helps Most
- Activity modification: Avoid movements that worsen pain early on.
- Supportive bracing: A brace may help protect the knee when appropriate.
- Strength work: Hip, thigh, and core strength can support knee mechanics.
- Flexibility: Stretching may reduce excess strain on irritated tissues.
- Follow-up care: Persistent symptoms may need imaging or additional evaluation.
When to Follow Up
- Pain is worsening: Symptoms increase despite rest or care.
- Swelling persists: Swelling does not improve or keeps returning.
- Instability develops: The knee gives way or feels unsafe.
- Locking occurs: The knee catches or cannot move normally.
- Activity remains limited: Walking, stairs, work, or sports remain difficult.
Frequently Asked Questions
Knee pain may come from injury, arthritis, overuse, tendon irritation, cartilage problems, ligament strain, or changes in movement mechanics.
Knee pain should be evaluated if it follows a major injury, causes swelling or instability, limits walking, locks, or does not improve with basic care.
Many causes of knee pain improve with activity changes, bracing, rehabilitation, medications, injections, or other non-surgical care depending on the diagnosis.
Imaging may be recommended when symptoms suggest fracture, arthritis, cartilage injury, ligament injury, or another structural problem.
Recovery often improves with the right diagnosis, activity modification, swelling control, strength work, mobility exercises, and follow-up when symptoms persist.
Yes. Foot, ankle, hip, or gait mechanics can sometimes increase stress on the knee and may be considered during evaluation.
Locations
LVVIS offers vein evaluation and treatment planning at multiple Las Vegas locations. Choose the office that is most convenient when scheduling your visit.
LVVIS West Side Consultation Office
8930 W Sunset Rd, Suite 350
Las Vegas, NV 89148
Consultations and vascular evaluations
LV2 Limb & Vascular Division
8930 W Sunset Rd, Suite 350
Las Vegas, NV 89148
Limb preservation and podiatry partnership care
LVVIS East Procedure Office
2250 E Flamingo Rd, Suite 100
Las Vegas, NV 89119
Procedures, diagnostics, and circulatory care
LVVIS West Side Surgical Center
6120 S Fort Apache Rd, Suite 100
Las Vegas, NV 89148
Advanced vascular and interventional procedures