27/08/2025
DECODING YOUR KNEE PAIN
The knee joint is the largest and one of the most important weight bearing joints in the body. Its main role is to support and transfer the body’s weight during our everyday activities, like walking, running, jumping and standing.
When it comes to pain, the knee joint is often called the “victim” joint, as most pain felt in the knee may originate in structures that may not necessarily be located in the knee itself. Nonetheless, knee pain can be quite excruciating, disrupting basic biomechanical functions like standing and walking.
Let’s take a look at the basic anatomy of the joint and how it helps distribute weight, and what could be the potential cause of your knee pain.
1. Load Distribution
• The bulbous ends of the thigh and shin bones are shaped deliberately to distribute the body weight efficiently.
• The cartilage in the knee (meniscus) acts as shock absorbers, reducing stress on the bones and helping distribute weight evenly.
2. Shock Absorption
• When you walk, run or jump, the ligaments (ACL, PCL, MCL, LCL) prevent excessive sliding movements in the different directions and keep the bony alignment intact.
• The muscles (quads, hamstrings, calf) control leg and knee movements, helping to evenly distribute the weight about the knee, and produce movement at the knee joint.
3. Dynamic Movement
• During activities like kneeling and squatting the knee can support the entire body’s weight, and sometimes more.
4. Adaptiation
• The knee rotates on uneven ground, allowing it to distribute uneven forces equally without structural damage.
In short your knee joint doesn’t just support you ands hold you upright, it actively distributes the body’s entire weight, absorbs shock and allows movement, all while we are none the wiser sometimes.
So if your knee suddenly develops a twinge, or has become chronically achy, what could be the cause?
A thorough history is helpful in determining what kind of forces have contributed to the pain, and hence the cause. Hard tissue /bony causes include upper and lower leg fractures and dislocations, arthritic degeneration. Soft tissue causes can include anything from ligamentous strains, muscular sprains either from injury or overuse), inflammation of bursae (shock absorption pouches), tendons and ligaments, or tears to the soft tissue.
Wherever the origin, all tissues refer pain to the knee joint and affect its function, causing severe debility and pain. So, if your knee has suddenly developed a twinge, or has been aching for ever, its time to have it looked at. The best treatment can only follow the most accurate diagnosis!
Contact ChiroSmart Chiropractic for your knee pain and any questions you may have about it.
