Understanding Knee Pain: Common Injuries by Location

Knee pain is one of the most common reasons athletes and active adults visit us at Well Co Chiropractic. From Sarasota’s tennis and pickleball courts to local gyms and running trails, knees take on a lot of stress. But here’s the key: where your pain is located often tells us what’s going on inside the joint.

Below, we’ll break down the most common knee injuries and conditions based on where you feel the pain and how we help you recover using Active Release Technique (ART) and rehab.

Pain on the Inside of the Knee (Medial Side)

Possible causes:

• Medial meniscus irritation/tear – pain, catching, or locking with twisting movements

• Medial collateral ligament (MCL) sprain – from side impact or quick directional changes

• Pes anserine bursitis – irritation where hamstring tendons attach just below the joint

Common in: Pickleball lunges, tennis pivots, and soccer-style cutting.

Pain on the Outside of the Knee (Lateral Side)

Possible causes:

• Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS) – burning or aching on the outer knee, common in runners

• Lateral meniscus tear – sharp pain, swelling, or catching with rotation

• Lateral collateral ligament (LCL) sprain – less common but from sudden varus (inward) stress

Common in: Runners on Sarasota’s Legacy Trail, side-to-side athletes (tennis, pickleball).

Pain in the Front of the Knee (Anterior)

Possible causes:

• Patellar tendonitis (“jumper’s knee”) – pain just below the kneecap

• Quadriceps tendonitis – pain above the kneecap where the quad attaches

• Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) – “runner’s knee,” aching around or behind the kneecap from poor tracking

Common in: Lifters (squats, lunges), pickleball/tennis players with repetitive jumps, runners.

Pain in the Back of the Knee (Posterior)

Possible causes:

• Hamstring tendon strain – pain where tendons attach at the back of the knee

• Baker’s cyst – swelling or pressure from fluid buildup behind the knee

• Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury – from direct impact to the shin with the knee bent

Common in: Athletes with sudden stops, deep squats, or hyperextension injuries.

Generalized or Swelling Around the Knee

Possible causes:

• Osteoarthritis – joint space narrowing, stiffness, and swelling

• General overuse – multiple tissues irritated (common in Sarasota’s year-round athletes)

• Acute trauma – injuries that cause bleeding or joint effusion

How We Treat Knee Pain at Well Co.

At Well Co Chiropractic, we go beyond just rest and ice. Our approach:

1. Evaluate the location & cause – pinpoint whether it’s tendon, ligament, meniscus, or muscle-related.

2. Active Release Technique (ART) – break down adhesions, restore soft tissue mobility.

3. Rehab exercises – knee-friendly strength, balance, and stability drills.

4. Return-to-sport programming – for pickleball, tennis, running, and lifting.

Don’t Let Knee Pain Sideline You

Knee pain doesn’t have to keep you out of the game. Whether it’s pain in the front, back, inside, or outside of the knee, we’ll identify the cause and create a personalized treatment plan to get you moving again.

Book Your Appointment at Well Co Chiropractic in Sarasota

References

• American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Common Knee Injuries.

• Massillon D, et al. Diagnosis and Management of Common Musculoskeletal Injuries in the Pickleball Athlete. Curr Phys Med Rehabil Rep. 2025.

• Nagore A, et al. Active Release Technique in Tendon Overuse Injuries. Cureus. 2023.