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Knee pain when bending What pain on squatting, kneeling or a deep bend points to, and how it is treated
Knee pain when bending usually comes from the joint behind the kneecap, the cartilage, a meniscus or swelling inside the knee. Pain at the front of the knee when you squat or sit with bent knees points to the kneecap (patellofemoral pain); a sharp, catching pain on a deep bend or twist suggests a meniscus tear; tightness behind the knee may be swelling or a Baker’s cyst; and stiffness with aching is typical of arthritis. Most cases improve with activity changes and strengthening. When pain or swelling keeps you from bending, knee pain treatment can add an injection or fluid removal to calm the joint.
Bending the knee puts it under load in a way walking on flat ground does not. The deeper the bend, the harder the kneecap presses into its groove and the more the meniscus is squeezed, so problems that stay quiet on a walk often show up when you squat, kneel, garden or get out of a low chair. Where it hurts and how it feels are the best clues. The first video shows one way an inflamed knee is calmed.
What knee pain when bending can point to
- Front of the knee, worse squatting or after sitting: patellofemoral pain, the most common cause in active people; the same problem often makes stairs hard, see knee pain on stairs
- Sharp or catching pain on a deep bend or twist, sometimes locking: a meniscus tear
- Tightness or fullness behind the knee: fluid in the joint or a Baker’s cyst; see swollen knee
- Aching, stiffness and grinding, worse in the morning: knee arthritis; see knee arthritis treatment
- Pain just below the kneecap: patellar tendon irritation, common with jumping and running
- A swollen bump on the kneecap after kneeling: bursitis
Our knee pain causes guide maps the other causes by location.
What helps at home
- Bend only as far as is comfortable for a while: use a higher chair, avoid deep squats and kneel on a cushion
- Keep moving with low-impact activity such as cycling or swimming rather than resting completely
- Ice for 15 minutes after activity if the knee is warm or swollen
- Strengthen the thigh and hip muscles, which take load off the kneecap
See a doctor for a knee that locks or gives way, swelling that does not settle, pain after a fall or twist, or a hot, red knee with fever.
Knee pain treatment when bending still hurts
- Exam and imaging: a knee pain doctor checks the kneecap, ligaments and meniscus, and diagnostic ultrasound can show fluid, tendons and cysts during the visit
- Physical therapy: thigh, hip and balance strengthening and a gradual return to squatting and kneeling, offered at our Brooklyn and Staten Island offices; see physical therapy for knee pain
- Removing fluid: draining a swollen knee eases pressure so it bends more easily, as in the third video; see knee aspiration
- Injections: a cortisone shot in the knee or other joint injections can calm an inflamed or arthritic joint, as in the first two videos
- Nerve treatment: for long-standing arthritis pain, a genicular nerve block and radiofrequency ablation quiets the nerves that carry knee pain, as in the fourth video
Pain procedures are performed at all three offices, and your physician explains where and when yours will be scheduled.
More videos on treating knee pain
More clips from our YouTube channel @precisioncaremedical showing injection, fluid removal and nerve treatment for the knee.
Related care at Precision Care Medical & Sports Performance
Knee pain treatment near you
Searching for a knee pain doctor near me? Precision Care Medical & Sports Performance treats knee pain at all three offices, where our pain physicians, Ashley Marcus, MD in Brooklyn, Jake Stephen, DO on Staten Island and Yuri Gordin, MD in Manhattan examine the knee and explain the options. For knee pain treatment in Brooklyn, our Brooklyn pain management office on Shell Rd is close to Midwood, Gravesend and Brighton Beach.
For knee pain on Staten Island, our Staten Island pain management office on Richmond Rd is near New Dorp, Eltingville and Great Kills. In Manhattan, the Precision Care Spine & Pain Center in Midtown Manhattan sits in Midtown East and is a direct subway ride from Spanish Harlem, Washington Heights and the Upper West Side. Physical therapy for the knee is offered in Brooklyn and Staten Island only. Request an appointment or call the office closest to you.
150 E 55th St, Suite 401, New York, NY 10022
(212) 840-0135
Questions patients ask
Why does my knee hurt when I bend it?
The most common causes are pain behind the kneecap (patellofemoral pain), a meniscus tear, swelling inside the joint or a Baker’s cyst, and arthritis. Where it hurts and how it feels point to which one.
Why does the front of my knee hurt when I squat?
Pain at the front of the knee when squatting usually comes from the joint behind the kneecap. Weak thigh and hip muscles often add to it, and strengthening them is the main treatment.
What does pain behind the knee when bending mean?
Tightness or fullness behind the knee when bending often means fluid in the joint or a Baker’s cyst, which usually comes from another problem inside the knee such as arthritis or a meniscus tear.
Should I stop bending my knee if it hurts?
Avoid deep, painful bends for a while, but keep the knee moving with comfortable activity. Complete rest weakens the muscles that support the knee.
When should I see a doctor for knee pain when bending?
See a doctor if the knee locks, gives way or stays swollen, if pain followed a fall or twist, or if home care has not helped after a few weeks. A hot, red knee with fever needs care the same day.
Where can I get knee pain treatment near me?
Precision Care Medical & Sports Performance treats knee pain at all three offices:
- Brooklyn2781 Shell Rd, Suite 101, Brooklyn, NY 11223(718) 648-1234 · Get directions
- Staten Island1630 Richmond Rd, Suite 101, Staten Island, NY 10304(718) 339-7100 · Get directions
- Midtown Manhattan150 E 55th St, Suite 401, New York, NY 10022(212) 840-0135 · Get directions
Physical therapy is offered at the Brooklyn and Staten Island offices only.
Educational only, not medical advice. These videos and this article explain common problems and treatments in general terms. They are not a diagnosis or a treatment plan for you. Results vary from person to person. See a qualified clinician about your own symptoms, and call 911 or go to an emergency room for an emergency.
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