You're walking down the street when you suddenly spot a piece of trash. Wanting to be a "Good Samaritan" you kneel down to pick it up. Upon kneeling, you're confronted with immense pain as if you have knelt down on a sharp rock. Knee pain when kneeling can be detrimental to your quality of life, preventing you from simple acts like picking up trash or tying your shoes. If you develop knee pain when kneeling, it is important to ask yourself a number of questions to help determine the cause. When did the pain begin? Is it chronic or sporadic? What type of pain is it, sharp, shooting, or a dull ache? Once you have established the answers to these questions, it will be easier to identify the cause of your knee pain when you kneel.

Causes of Knee Pain When Kneeling

Knee pain caused by osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common cause of knee pain. It is characterized by inflammation of the joints, causing a person's cartilage to break down. There are a few factors that make an individual more prone to developing osteoarthritis. Age is a primary factor, as many people over 60 develop a degree of osteoarthritis. Genetics may cause an individual to develop this disorder. They inherit a defective gene, which had a role in creating cartilage. This defective gene causes inadequate cartilage, subsequently causing deterioration of the joints. Joint and spine abnormalities also make a person more susceptible to developing osteoarthritis. Obesity is another risk factor for this joint problem, due to the immense pressure and strain constantly put on the joints due to large body mass. The final factor that can make a person more prone to developing osteoarthritis is injury. This includes knee and back-related injuries, as well as broken bones near the joints.

The symptoms and signs of osteoarthritis are pain in the joints, such as knee pain while kneeling. Other symptoms include swelling at the joint areas, warmth in the joint, creaking sounds coming from the inflicted area, and stiffness of the joint. These symptoms may be chronic or they could just be sporadic.

If upon reading the above information you think that you have this joint condition, then you will need to know about treatment options. The first step is visiting a doctor who can medically diagnose you. There is currently no absolute cure for osteoarthritis, only ways to minimize the pain. Medication can be administered to dull the pain and reduce swelling. Exercise can actually ease the symptoms of osteoarthritis, but it must be low impact exercise such as swimming. If osteoarthritis is due to obesity, it is recommended that the person lose weight. This can be achieved by lifestyle changes including diet and exercise.

Knee pain caused by a torn meniscus

The meniscus is cartilage located on the top of the tibia. When a tear occurs to the meniscus it can inflict immense pain to the knee region. An individual can acquire a torn meniscus through abrupt twisting of the knee, stopping suddenly, squatting, and lifting something heavy. This is a common injury among hockey and football players. Additionally, there are factors that make a person more prone to developing a torn meniscus. As a person ages, their cartilage weakens, which subsequently makes it more likely to tear. Excess body weight also put a person at higher risk of tearing their meniscus, due to the added weight and pressure on the meniscus. A torn meniscus will cause the sufferer to experience pain in the knee joint, which can be intensified while running and walking. Chronic or intermittent swelling of the knee may also occur. Some individuals claim to hear a distinct popping sound while climbing up stairs and experience knee 'locking.' This occurs when the leg cannot be comfortably extended. If you are experiencing these symptoms and possess the aforementioned risk factors, then you may have a torn meniscus.

The treatment plan for this condition will largely depend upon the severity and location of the tear. Inflammatory drugs and physical therapy may control moderate cases, while serious cases may require surgery to mend the tear.

Other causes knee hurting while kneeling

Bone chips: If you have broken a bone in your leg, your knee pain may be due to bone chips. This occurs when a bone is broken and fragments in a way that causes some miniscule pieces to get embedded in the cartilage. This will cause pain and swelling.

Housemaids or preachers knee: This is the popular name of prepatellar bursitis and pretibial bursitis. Both occur when the bursitis (small liquid sacs that cushion the knee joint) become irritated by injury, sport, or excessive kneeling. This will cause swelling and pain in the knee that is exacerbated by kneeling.

When to See a Doctor

If you experience extended knee pain while you are kneeling or carrying out other activities of daily living, contact your physician.