Pain on the Inside of the Knee

The inside of the knee is the most common place for knee pain, and three things account for most of it: the medial meniscus, the medial collateral ligament, and wear in the inner half of the joint. What separates them is usually how the pain started and what makes it worse - a twist and a sudden onset points one way, a gradual ache over months points another.

Also described as: medial knee pain, pain inside the knee, inner knee pain when walking.

Go to A&E now if

•A hot, very painful, swollen knee when you also feel unwell or feverish - this can be an infected joint and is treated as an emergency
•A leg that is cold, pale, numb or that you cannot feel properly below the knee
•An obvious deformity after an injury, or a knee that gives way completely and cannot take any weight at all

What causes it

Medial meniscal tear

Often starts with a twist or a deep squat, gives tenderness you can point to along the inner joint line, and may catch or swell after activity.

Meniscal root tear

Can begin with a sudden pop during something quite ordinary, such as standing from a squat, and often causes pain at the back of the inner knee. Worth identifying, because the root attachment is what allows the meniscus to do its job at all.

MCL injury

Usually follows a blow to the outside of the knee or a twist with the foot planted, with tenderness slightly above the joint line and a knee that feels unsteady sideways.

Medial compartment osteoarthritis

A gradual ache over months or years, worse on walking and at the end of the day, sometimes with the leg becoming more bow-legged over time.

Worth being seen within a week if

•Inner knee pain that began with a twist and swelled soon afterwards
•Pain with locking, catching or giving way
•A sudden pop at the back of the inner knee when standing or squatting
•Pain that is stopping you walking your usual distance

How it is assessed

•Locating the pain precisely - joint line, above it, or behind it - which separates meniscus from ligament from wear.
•Weight-bearing X-rays, including long-leg alignment views where the shape of the leg may be loading one side.
•MRI where a meniscal or ligament tear is suspected.
•Discussion of the full range of options, from physiotherapy and injections through to realignment or partial replacement where wear is confined to one side.

Mr Sam Nahas is a consultant knee surgeon in Reading, and sees new knee problems within a week at Circle Reading Hospital. No GP referral is needed for self-pay patients.

Book a consultation

Other knee symptoms

This page is general information about knee symptoms and does not replace individual medical advice. If you are worried about your knee, please be assessed.