5 Common Causes of Chronic Knee Pain

Nearly everyone experiences knee pain at some point. When it becomes chronic, lasting for several months or longer, your symptoms can shift from bothersome to debilitating.

With his expert team at our Midtown Manhattan, New York, practice, double board-certified vascular and interventional radiologist Dr. Yosef Golowa offers genicular artery embolization (GAE), a nonsurgical knee pain treatment.

If you’re dealing with chronic knee pain, one of the following common conditions may be the reason for your symptoms.

1. Knee osteoarthritis 

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis to affect the knee. Often as a result of wear-and-tear over the years, your risk for OA grows higher with age. Sudden injuries and athletic overuse can also lead to chronic OA pain, stiffness, and inflammation.

2. Patellar tendinopathy

Patellar tendinopathy (PT), also known as jumper’s knee, is an overuse injury that can affect athletes. If you engage in a running or jumping sport for more than 20 hours per week, you hold a high risk. Suddenly running or jumping without proper training, or warmups and structural tendon issues may also contribute.

Knee pain from PT usually strikes between your kneecap and where the affected tendon meets your shinbone.

3. Torn meniscus

If your knee pain follows a forceful twist or rotation of your knee while you’re bearing weight on it, you might be dealing with a meniscus tear. 

Because your meniscus cushions your knee, knee pain is the primary symptom. In addition to knee pain, you might feel like your knee suddenly locks or won’t extend fully.

4. Knee sprain

When you sprain your knee, you’ve injured the ligaments that surround the joint and keep it stable. Knee sprains can stem from suddenly pivoting or twisting, or from an awkward fall.

Along with pain, knee sprains tend to cause bruising, swelling, and stiffness. The severity of knee sprain pain can range from mildly bothersome to excruciatingly severe.

5. Post-knee replacement pain

While knee replacement surgery can relieve pain and improve mobility, some people face persistent pain and inflammation following the surgery. One study shows that around 20% of knee replacement recipients experienced pain for at least 3-6 months after the procedure.

Post-knee replacement pain may feel sore and tight, potentially accompanied by swelling as your joint heals. The procedure can also cause nerve pain, which feels more like sharp, tingling, or burning sensations.

Good candidates for GAE

If your knee pain stems from OA, patellar tendinopathy, or knee replacement surgery, you may consider genicular artery embolization. 

Particularly helpful for treating advanced knee osteoarthritis, this minimally invasive procedure injects gel particles into the arteries that fuel your knee, leading to less inflammation. GAE has also been shown to safely reduce post-knee replacement pain for at least one year.

Ideal GAE candidates are 40-80 years old, with moderate to severe knee pain that hasn’t responded well to conservative care. You also shouldn’t have any bony joint deformities. 

To learn more about GAE for chronic knee pain or find out if it's right for you, call our office today at 212-991-9991. You can also book an appointment with Dr. Golowa through our website.