Stairs are often unavoidable, especially if you live in a multilevel home. There may also be stairs in front of a public building, like a library, or even on a walking path. Going up and down stairs requires you to use different aspects of your physical health, such as balance, coordination and leg strength. In particular, your knee’s range of motion and muscle strength are essential for safely using stairs. That means that feeling knee pain when you’re going down stairs shouldn’t be brushed off.
There are a variety of medical conditions and injuries that can explain knee pain that you experience when going down stairs. By learning about the potential explanations, you can gain a better understanding of the best treatment options.
4 potential explanations for knee pain that may flare up when going down stairs
When you’re going down stairs, the muscles surrounding your knee joints work to keep them stable as they bend. At the same time, the surrounding cartilage absorbs the shock from every step. If you’re experiencing knee pain during this movement, it may be a sign that you’re experiencing an issue that may require treatment.
If you’re experiencing persistent or worsening pain in your knee each time you go down the stairs or when you’re doing other activities throughout the day, talk to your doctor. They can determine the likely cause of the symptoms. They'll complete a physical evaluation as well as diagnostic tests, such as an X-ray.
Here are four possible reasons why you're experiencing knee pain when you’re going down stairs:
Runner’s knee — Also known as patellofemoral pain syndrome, runner’s knee can cause knee pain in or around the patella, or the kneecap. It’s a condition that can develop when the tissue is overused from repetitive or high-intensity knee movements, such as running or jumping. It can also come from a traumatic blow or misaligned bones. Runner’s knee can cause pain at the front of your kneecap when you do bending movements, such as going down stairs.Â
Patellar tendinitis — There’s a band of tissue that connects your shinbone to your kneecap, called the patellar tendon. It works with the quadriceps muscles to extend your knee during movements like using the stairs. This tendon may become inflamed if the knee joint is overused from repetitive stress, such as frequent jumping or sprinting. The tendon can also be strained if your quadriceps muscles are too tight. It can cause excessive stress while trying to complete a bending movement.
Â
Osteoarthritis — The most common type of arthritis that can develop in the knee is osteoarthritis. Also known as degenerative joint disease, knee osteoarthritis means that the cartilage in your knee has slowly broken down and the bones can rub together, leading to pain and stiffness while walking down stairs. It’s usually caused by wear and tear from aging. It can also develop from traumatic knee injuries.Â
Weak muscles — Your knee pain may be coming from compensation for weak muscles in other parts of your body. It’s possible that issues in or near the lower extremity, such as hip or ankle weakness, are contributing to your knee pain during these movements, as too much pressure can strain the muscles surrounding the kneecap. You may be putting excessive pressure on your knee that the other muscles can’t handle while going down stairs.
Treatments we may use at KC Rehab to help your knee pain while going down stairs
Now that we’ve talked about the possible causes behind knee pain from using the stairs, let’s dive into some treatments that can help.
At KC Rehab, we’ll complete an assessment of your symptoms, as well as your knee’s strength, flexibility and range of motion. We’ll use that information to determine the best ways to address the issues and alleviate your symptoms.
Here are KC Rehab treatments that may help your knee pain during bending movements:
Joint mobilization — If you’re experiencing knee pain while going down stairs, then it’s likely that you’re having a difficult time having full functional mobility of the knee joint. We can use a manual therapy technique called joint mobilization, which involves gently moving the joint in repetitive movements to break up any tight tissue that's interfering with your range of motion.
Strengthening exercises — Your physical therapist will determine if the cause of your knee pain can be addressed with strengthening exercises. They can guide you through safe and effective exercises that boost the strength of your knee muscles for reduced pain and improved stability. Examples of knee strengthening exercises include wall sits and squats.
Dry needling — If your pain comes from runner's knee or osteoarthritis, your KC Rehab physical therapist may recommend dry needling. This specialty service involves using thin needles to stimulate muscle spasms in the trigger points, causing the contractions to release the tension that’s resulting in pain and stiffness.Â
Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.