Most of what happens inside our body is very difficult to notice. We rarely know their impact until they start to affect us. Our musculoskeletal system is a bit different in this regard.
That neck stiffness or that back pain, for example, immediately makes itself felt, even for a minor inconvenience. Another common discomfort that shows up and has us wondering is knee pain when climbing stairs, especially when it happens for the first time.
It is understandable if you have recently injured yourself. But when there has been no injury, that uncertainty can make you anxious. Is it fatigue? Mobility issues? Is the body getting weaker? And why is the knee paining only when climbing stairs, but not when walking?
At our Divi Orthopedic Clinic, we often get all these questions.
Having worked with patients who experience knee pain, we can say that knee pain when climbing stairs is pretty common. But the reasons can range from muscle weakness to mobility issues, underlying joint problems, or even specific syndromes. So, what could they be? Let us find out today.
What Causes Knee Pain While Climbing Stairs?
Amongst all the daily movements, stair climbing is the everyday activity that tends to put more stress on your knees.
“Because each step forces the joint to a deep bend while carrying several times the body weight, stair climbing is often the first place where knee problems inside the body can show up,” says knee pain doctor in Andheri West, Dr. Divyesh Bukalsaria. Here are some of the common causes of knee pain among patients at Divi Orthopedic Clinic.
1. Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (Runner’s Knee):
The most common cause of knee pain while climbing stairs, among the patient we treat at Divi is Runner’s Knee, and unsurprisingly, it is runners who often fall victim to this condition.
2. Reduced Mobility or Flexibility:
In some cases, limited movement at the hip, ankle, or knee can change how the forces travel through the leg, and this again puts an extra stress on the knee. So, it need not always be Runner’s Knee, sometimes, limited mobility and flexibility can also be the reason.
3. IT Band Syndrome:
If the knee pain is mostly on the outer area of the knee, another possible cause could be IT Band Syndrome. “IT band is a strip of thick connective tissues that run from hip to the knee. Repeated bending while running or jumping may irritate this band which may rub back and forth over the bony bump near the knee which may causes friction and outer knee pain”, says knee pain specialist Dr. Divyesh Bukalsaria.
4. Patellar Tendinitis (“Jumper’s Knee”):
Mostly observed in people who jump frequently, ’Jumpers Knee’ is a condition where the tendon connecting the kneecap to the shinbone develops micro-tears from repeated stress. These micro tears cause inflammation and over time, weaken the bone. Climbing stairs can pull hard on this tendon every time the quad contracts to push the body upward and this can cause knee pain that doesn’t heal.
Not just the above, the cause for knee pain while climbing stairs can also vary from patient to patient. The cause can range from simple conditions like muscle weakness, fatigue, or serious conditions like a meniscus tear or even osteoarthritis.
“Simple conditions like fatigue often tend to get better faster, and serious conditions like arthritis can be easily ruled out and identified. It is usually conditions like runner’s knee, IT band syndrome, or jumper’s knee that can be harder to identify as patients ignore them. Treatment for this knee pain start by first identifying the condition that is causing it”, says the best knee specialist doctor in Andheri West, Dr. Divyesh Bukalsaria.
Knee Pain While Climbing Stairs: Treatment
Depending on the condition, the pain can get worse or get better, and if left ignored, almost always gets worse. The best way to treat and get rid of the knee pain while climbing stairs is to consult a knee pain specialist as soon as possible to understand the cause and get the right treatment. I
If you live in and around Mumbai and can’t wait to get rid of this debilitating knee pain, Dr. Divyesh Bukalsaria is a top orthopaedic doctor in Mumbai who specializes in treating knee pain disorders and can help you find the right treatment.
