Knee Pain: Causes, Warning Signs & When to See a Specialist

Published: August 2026 | Medically Reviewed by Dr. Tanvir Hasan Siddique

Knee pain is one of the most common reasons people visit an orthopedic doctor. It affects teenagers, working adults, and the elderly alike. If your knee has been hurting, you are not alone — and you don’t need to have all the answers before you seek help.

Maybe you feel it when you stand up after sitting cross-legged on the floor. Maybe it catches you when you rise from prayer, or when you climb the stairs to your flat. These small daily moments tell you something is wrong, even before a doctor gives it a name.

This page will help you understand what might be causing the pain, how serious it could be, and when it is time to see a specialist.

Why Does My Knee Hurt?

Not knowing the cause of your pain can feel frightening. Pain that came on suddenly — or that has been building for weeks — raises questions that are hard to answer on your own.

The knee is a large, busy joint. It carries you when you walk, stand, climb stairs, and lift weight. It bends every time you sit on the floor, kneel for namaz, or squat to reach something low. Because it works so hard every single day, it is one of the joints most likely to suffer from strain, injury, or slow wear over time.

Here is the reassuring part: most knee pain can be treated well, especially when you act early.

Common Causes of Knee Pain

Knee pain (হাঁটু ব্যথার কারণ) rarely has a single cause. More often, a few things add up together. According to the AAOS and the Mayo Clinic, these are the most common ones we see:

• Overuse or repetitive strain — Too much activity without enough rest can inflame the soft tissue and tendons around the knee.
• Injury — A sudden fall, twist, or impact can damage ligaments, cartilage, or tendons. This usually causes immediate pain and swelling.
• Arthritis — This is one of the leading causes of long-term knee pain, especially in adults over 40. We explore this in depth on our arthritis and joint pain page, so this article keeps it brief.
• Bursitis — Small fluid-filled sacs cushion the knee. When they become inflamed, they cause pain and swelling, often at the front of the knee.
• Tendinitis — Inflammation of the tendons, usually below the kneecap. It is common in people who run, jump, or climb stairs often.
• Pain referred from the hip or lower back — Sometimes the knee hurts because of a problem higher up. The hip and lower back can send pain downward.
• Excess body weight — Extra weight puts more load on the knee joint. This can speed up wear and worsen existing pain.

This covers the most common causes. Your doctor will examine your knee and your history to find out what is actually going on for you.

How Serious Is Your Knee Pain?

Not all knee pain needs the same response. This simple four-level guide can help you decide what to do next.

What Does Your Knee Pain Feel Like?

The way your knee hurts is a clue. When you can describe where it hurts, what it feels like, and when it bothers you most, your doctor can find the cause faster. Take a moment to notice these details before your visit.

Where Is the Pain?

• Front of the knee — Often related to the kneecap or tendons
• Inner side — May suggest ligament strain or arthritis
• Outer side — Often linked to cartilage or IT band issues
• Back of the knee — A tight or achy feeling behind the knee (হাঁটুর পেছনে ব্যথা) can be caused by a fluid-filled cyst, hamstring tightness, or in some cases a blood clot. Sudden pain at the back of the knee with swelling should be checked by a doctor.

What Type of Pain Is It?

• Sharp — Often from an injury or a loose body in the joint
• Dull and achy — Common with arthritis or overuse
• Burning — May suggest nerve involvement
• Clicking, locking, or giving way — These may point to a cartilage issue

When Does It Hurt Most?

Think about your own day. Many patients tell us the pain shows up in these moments:

• Going up or down stairs (সিঁড়ি ওঠা-নামা)
• Standing up after sitting cross-legged on the floor
• Rising from the floor after namaz
• After sitting for a long time
• During or after long walks
• In the evening or at night

If you recognize your own pain in this list, that is exactly the kind of detail worth sharing with your doctor.

How Is Knee Pain Treated?

Most knee pain is treated without surgery, using a mix of rest, physiotherapy, and other simple measures matched to the cause. A proper evaluation always comes first, because the right plan depends on what is actually driving your pain.

Common non-surgical options include:

• Rest and activity adjustment — Reducing the activities that aggravate your knee
• Physiotherapy — Exercises to strengthen the muscles around the knee and improve movement
• Pain relief — Medicines to reduce inflammation and discomfort
• Weight management — Losing even a small amount of weight can meaningfully reduce load on the knee
• Injections — In some cases, corticosteroid or other injections help reduce inflammation

For patients who do not improve with conservative care, surgery may be considered. Knee replacement surgery and arthroscopic surgery are two possible pathways — each explained fully on its own page, so you can read about them when you are ready.

The right plan for you will be decided after a proper evaluation. No two patients are the same.

When Should You See an Orthopedic Doctor?

You should see an orthopedic doctor if your knee pain is severe, keeps getting worse, followed an injury, or has not improved after two weeks. In simple terms, if your pain falls into Level 3 or Level 4 above — or if Level 2 symptoms have not eased after two weeks — it is time to see a specialist. And if the pain is making it harder to walk or move around your home, our walking difficulty page can help you understand that side of things too.

An orthopedic evaluation is not complicated. Your doctor will ask about your symptoms, examine the knee, and may arrange imaging like an X-ray or MRI. The aim is not to alarm you. It is to understand what is happening so you can start recovering.

Dr. Tanvir Hasan Siddique sees patients at two locations in Dhaka:

• IBN Sina D. Lab, Malibagh, Dhaka
• Rashmono Specialized Hospital, Moghbazar, Dhaka

Visiting hours: Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings

Book an Evaluation with Dr. Tanvir →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is knee pain serious?

It depends on the cause. Mild pain after activity is usually not serious. Pain that is severe, worsening, or followed an injury should be assessed. Early review is always better than waiting.

Can knee pain go away on its own?

Minor soreness from overuse often settles with rest. But pain that lasts more than two weeks, keeps coming back, or is getting worse needs medical assessment. Don’t leave it too long.

What is the most common cause of knee pain?

Arthritis and overuse are the most common causes in adults. In younger people, sports injuries and tendinitis are more frequent. The cause varies from person to person, which is why a proper examination matters.

Do I need surgery for knee pain?

Most patients do not need surgery. Many conditions improve with physiotherapy, activity changes, and pain management. Surgery is considered only when other treatments have not worked, or when there is a structural problem that needs repair.

Why do I have pain behind my knee?

Pain behind the knee (হাঁটুর পেছনে ব্যথা) can come from a fluid-filled cyst, tight hamstring muscles, or general wear in the joint. Most causes are not serious. But sudden pain behind the knee with swelling should be checked by a doctor without delay.

Why does my knee hurt when I walk?

Knee pain while walking often points to joint strain, early arthritis, or a soft-tissue problem. If the pain eases with rest, it is usually less urgent. If it keeps you from walking normally or gets worse each day, see an orthopedic doctor.

When should I see a doctor for knee pain in Dhaka?

See a doctor if your pain is severe, followed an injury, has lasted more than two weeks, is worsening, or is affecting your ability to walk or sleep. If you cannot put weight on the leg, or the knee looks visibly wrong, seek care the same day.

Take the Next Step

Knee pain does not have to limit your daily life. Early evaluation gives you clarity — and more options. The sooner the cause is understood, the sooner you can start recovering.

Book an Appointment with Dr. Tanvir →

You may also find these pages useful:

• Arthritis and joint pain →
• Knee replacement surgery →
• Arthroscopic surgery →
• Walking difficulty →