A run-through of common overuse conditions of the knee.
First published in 2013, and reviewed August 2023 by Dr Sheila Strover (Clinical Editor)
When there has been repetitive stress, the knee structures may start to fail despite there having been no single major injury:
Nature of overuse injury
Stress fracture
A stress fracture is a bone break that can result from repetitive stress on the bone. The patella (kneecap) for example can break in athletes without there having been any specific injury.
Traction apophysitis
The bone where a tendon attaches can become stressed with repetitive strain, and it and its attached tendon can break off from the main part of the bone.
Tendinosis
With repetitive stress the inside of a tendon can degenerate ('mucoid degeneration)' and render the tendon weak and painful.
Bursitis
The knee has a number of lubricating pockets, the surfaces of which slide over one another during movement. With overuse these pockets or 'bursae' can become inflamed and painful and fluid can collect inside them to form a swelling. Examples include housemaid's knee, clergyman's knee, and carpet-fitter's knee.
These are the more common overuse problems:
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