My Knee Hurts When I Bend It And Straighten It | 6 Possible Causes

My knee hurts when I bend it and straighten it and cause excruciating pain. If this is you, it means that one or more of a particular condition could be affecting you.

In some cases, it may require a visit to the doctor as it could be a disease and needs professional help. It could be a condition that involves rest and a little tender loving care in other situations.

However, it would help if you were sure what the problem is so you know if you can treat it yourself. If you can’t ascertain what is wrong, you should see the doctor. The best way to do an evaluation is by finding the cause. 

This process requires compiling all the symptoms you may be having. The information below will share causes, symptoms, and ways to treat the issue.

If you notice that a particular sign could be hazardous to your well-being, seek medical attention immediately.

Baker’s Cyst

Baker’s cyst is one of many conditions that can cause pain when you bend or straighten your knee. The cyst forms when the fluid that lubricates the joints fills the bursa. The bursa is a pouch that cushions the joints located behind the knee.

The symptoms are tightening of the knee joint and swelling at the back of the knee. Other symptoms are issues with bending and straightening the knee and pain. You may also notice a lump that is full of fluid.

Some of the best treatments include an incision to drain the fluid and a corticosteroid injection to reduce the inflammation which causes the pain.

Other treatments are rest, icing the kneed, compression wraps, and elevating the leg.

Hamstring Tendonitis

If you have tendonitis in your hamstring, it could lead to pain when you try to bend or straighten the knee joint. The injury affects the hamstring primarily but can also cause knee problems. The muscle at the back of the knee connects to the hamstring.

Symptoms of hamstring tendonitis are pain in the knee and the areas surrounding the knee and pain in the hamstring. Other symptoms are tenderness and swelling at the back of the knee and the thigh area. Increased pain when trying to move. 

These treatments are typical for this condition: rest, ice packs, compression bandages, and elevation. You can use anti-inflammatory foods to help reduce the inflammation in the body; some may prefer drugs instead.

Physical therapy and gentle exercises will help as the pain recedes.

Iliotibial Band Syndrome

Iliotibial band syndrome happens when the iliotibial band becomes inflamed or overworked. The primary causes of this condition are cycling, running, and now starting to exercise. The tendon rubs against your knee joint and is irritated, causing pain. 

The symptoms of iliotibial band syndrome are pain due to bending and straightening the knee and pain that travels up and down the leg.

Other symptoms are aching sensation outside the knee, feeling a pop in the knee during movement, and redness or warmth outside the knee. 

Treatments for this condition are medicines and natural remedies that fight inflammation. The choice is yours, so choose wisely. Another treatment option is the R.I.C.E method which is the most popular natural way to treat such conditions or injuries. 

My Knee Hurts When I Bend It And Straighten It – Other Causes

Knee pain can be bothersome, especially if you are an active kind of person. It can affect you mentally and emotionally since it affects your psyche.

Follow the instructions given, and you should be on your way to a regular schedule.

Quadriceps Tendonitis

Quadriceps tendonitis is the condition of stiffness in the front or above the knee. The pain may start as dull and grow progressively worse as time passes. Due to the stiffness and pain, it isn’t easy to bend the knee or straighten it.

Symptoms for quadriceps tendonitis are quad tendon swelling and surrounding area. The other symptoms are tenderness when touched, stiffness in the knee during the morning, and a warm burning sensation. 

You can treat this condition by taping the affected area, doing exercises that help, and using the medicine for inflammation. Other treatments include rest, icing, compression, and elevation to heal the affected area.

Physical therapy may be necessary, but there are particular exercises you can do called quadriceps tendonitis exercises.

Patellar Tendonitis

Patellar tendonitis is another condition that affects the knee and can cause bending restrictions. The tendon connected to the knee cap is injured or inflames and generates excruciating pain. 

Symptoms of patellar tendonitis are the patellar tendon is painful and sore to the touch. Other symptoms include pain if you walk, jump or run. The knee cap is sore or painful, and it is impossible to bend the knee.

Treatments for this condition are stretching, which can help the muscle relax. Other therapies are strengthening exercises to restore potency to the affected tendons.

You may also need anti-inflammatory drugs and foods to help reduce inflammation. It would be wise to strap the area with the recommended strap to protect the tendon.

Patellofemoral Syndrome

Patellofemoral syndrome is another condition that affects the knee cap. It is similar to patellar tendonitis but isn’t the same disease or injury.

If you push the tendons in your knee above their capability, it can cause patellofemoral syndrome. Jumping and sprinting too much can cause this injury.

The symptoms of this condition are similar to patellar tendonitis. If you have read the signs, those apply to the patellofemoral syndrome.

The treatments are also the same as the injury exhibits the same symptoms. Be sure to implement the R.I.C.E method and consult a doctor if the treatment isn’t helping.

My knee hurts when I bend it and straighten it, but that doesn’t mean you can’t help yourself. It shouldn’t be the first option if your case is severe. For much milder situations, you can try the treatments mentioned. 

If done right, the methods available can resolve the problem quickly. However, nothing beats getting expert advice and doing an x-ray if necessary.

Whether you do it yourself or see a physician, be sure to do what is best.