Are you experiencing kneecap pain when kneeling? Read on to know what are its causes, and how to treat the condition.

Kneecap pain when bending can be very painful at times. The sharp pain is very uncomfortable and irritating. This discomfort is also experienced while walking up and down the stairs.

Causes

If you are experiencing pain while climbing the stairs or coming down the stairs or a significant deformity in your knees, you must consult a doctor immediately. In addition, inflammation in knees must not be ignored. Here are some of the causes of kneecap pain when bending for reference. However, you must consult a doctor for the exact diagnosis and treatment.

Injury to the Ligaments
There are four ligaments in your knees, out of which, you have two collateral ligaments. Out of the two collateral ligaments, one ligament is outside the knees while the other is inside the knees. The remaining two ligaments stretch from the bottom of the thigh bone, and cross each other as we stretch the leg. A tear in any of these ligaments causes severe pain in the knees, which worsens when you try to bend your knees.

Injury to the Tendons
Injury to the tendons is also called tendonitis and is caused due to irritation and inflammation in one of the tendons. This type of injury is usually experienced by athletes such as runners, cyclists, and skiers. This inflammation occurs in the patellar tendon, which is connected to the quadriceps in the front of the thigh. Tendonitis exhibits a major symptom of pain while jumping, kneeling, and squatting. Many a time, you may experience the inability to flex your knees.

Knee Bursitis
Knee bursitis is a very common cause of pain in the kneecap. Bursae is a small sac of fluid which provides cushion to the knee joint. Due to this cushioning, the tendons and the ligaments glide smoothly over the joint. This may lead to swelling, redness, pain (which is felt even at rest), and the pain worsens as you kneel to climb the stairs or come down the stairs. In worst cases, this inflammation may cause fever.

Iliotibial Band syndrome
This syndrome, which is often seen in long distance runners, can be a cause of pain in the kneecap. A ligament that extends from the outer side of the pelvic bone becomes tight enough to get rubbed against the femur. Femur is the largest bone in the human body, which extends from the pelvic region to the thighs. This causes the ligament to inflame and cause discomfort and pain while kneeling. This may also cause burning pain in the knees.

Chondromalacia of the Patella
Pain between the patella and the femur is called chondromalacia of patella. Older people can get this pain due to old age and even younger ones can develop this pain. Arthritis can also be the cause of kneecap pain in older people. This is quite common in athletes. The pain in this region worsens after prolonged sitting sessions. In this disorder, there is a kneecap misalignment which causes pain and tenderness.

The treatment for the condition can vary according to the cause, and can include ice packs, medication, rest and elevation. Moreover, it is advisable to consult a doctor immediately when you experience pain in the kneecap.

Disclaimer: This Buzzle article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.