Knee Pain Going Down Stairs? Here’s What You Need To Know (2024)

1) Knee Osteoarthritis
Over time, the cartilage that supports your knee can break down or degenerate, causing bones to move irregularly and without adequate cushioning. Osteoarthritis affects more than32.5 million peoplein the United States alone, with knee osteoarthritis accounting formore than 80% of cases. Symptoms of knee osteoarthritis include grinding or clicking in the knee when moving, inflammation, pain, and stiffness after periods of sitting or lying down.

There is no cure for knee osteoarthritis, but it can be addressed with both invasive and non-invasive treatments.AposHealth is a non-invasive, FDA cleared treatment for knee osteoarthritis with a satisfaction rate of 96%⁴¹.

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2) Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

Patellofemoral pain syndrome is more frequently known as jumper’s or runner’s knee and refers to anterior knee pain. The most commonplace cause of knee pain, this syndrome occurs when irregular movement takes place in your patella (knee cap), causing damage to the soft tissues around your knee joint.

Patellofemoral pain may indicate a condition called chondromalacia patella. This occurs when the articular cartilage on the underside of the kneecap deteriorates, causing inflammation and pain. Symptoms include grinding or clicking in the knee when moving the joint or swelling and pain in the knee cap.

There are several reasons why you may be experiencing patellofemoral pain when going down stairs. It may be because of anatomical abnormalities, flat feet, or muscle weakness and can occur at any age.

3) Muscle Strain

Minor muscle injuries are usually not serious and will heal with time, but if the affected muscles are around the knee, this can cause pain when going down stairs.

4) IT Band Syndrome

This injury is often caused by repetitive knee-bending activities like running, biking or hiking. The iliotibial, or IT, band is a tendon that runs from the pelvis to the top of the shin and over the side of the knee. Because of its connection to the knee, if your IT band is inflamed, you may experience severe knee pain when climbing stairs.

5) Ligament Injury

Ligaments like the ACL and MCL connect to the knee. If you have had an injury where these ligaments are sprained or even torn, this will cause pain when climbing stairs. Knee ligamentinjuries may be seriousand may require surgical intervention.

6) Compensation Injury

When you sustain an injury to your foot or ankle, it can change how you stand and walk. By compensating for the injury, you alter your body’s biomechanics and put excess load on the knee when going down the stairs. This can cause pain and may requirebiomechanical interventionto correct your gait.

1. Make sure you step onto the stairs with your whole foot and not just your toes. Stepping with just your toes can compress your knee and cause pain.
2. When climbing, push off from your outer heel. This activates your gluteus muscles for greater efficiency and puts less strain on the knee.
3. Try not to walk up stairs when your knee is not aligned over your foot. If your knee is angled inward, this can lead to pain and further injury.
4. Address underlying causes of knee pain when climbing or descending stairs. Often, pain indicates a misalignment, weakness, or injury that is manifesting in knee pain.

If you are experiencing knee pain going up or down stairs, or in general, there are a range of treatment options available that are non-invasive and will likely reduce inflammation and pain.

1) R.I.C.E.

One of the most common ways of dealing with knee pain is RICE, which stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. If you’ve injured your knee or are experiencing knee pain, these four at-home treatments can help.

• Rest your knee and stop any activity that may be causing you pain.
• Ice your knee to reduce pain and swelling. Apply cold for 10 to 20 minutes, 3 or more times a day, immediately following an injury or the activity that caused pain. Icing can be followed by applying heat once the swelling is gone.
• Compression involves wrapping or bandaging your knee to reduce swelling to immobilize it. It’s important not to wrap your knee too tightly. And if the pain doesn’t improve after a couple of days, consult your physician to rule out a more serious knee injury.
• Elevate your foot and knee on pillows whenever you are seated to keep the swelling down. Even better, lay down and keep your knee elevated above your heart level.

2) OTC Medication

Over-the-counternon-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)can be effective in treating knee pain temporarily, but if pain worsens, there may be an underlying cause that has to be looked at.

3) Weight Management

Managing your weightcan help reduce the strain on your knees, which, in turn, can reduce pain. Maintaining a healthy weight and balanced diet are also important for overall health and wellness.

4) Exercise and Physical Therapy

If you have knee pain, exercise and physical therapy will strengthen the muscles around the knee for improved stability and mobility. Some examples of appropriate exercises includewater therapyandgentle stretching. Physical therapy can also improve flexibility and strength, even if the pain is severe.

5) Support Aids

Supportive aids such as walkers, braces and splints, or therapeutic taping may help reduce knee pain, but it’s important to ensure that you are getting the right device for your needs.

6) Biomechanical Devices

Devices developed to improve gait and reduce the weight load on the knee can help alleviate knee pain. AposHealth, for example, is a biomechanical aid that has been shown totemporarily reduceknee pain⁴² and improve gait⁴² for patients with knee osteoarthritis.

7) Prescription Medication

If your knee pain is severe and doesn’t improve with over-the-counter treatment, your physician may prescribe painkillers and anti-inflammatories, or corticosteroid injections.

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