Knee pain comes in many forms. Often, knee pain is nothing more than mild soreness or stiffness after physical activity or bumping into a table. However, several conditions can cause knee pain that lasts for a long time and limits your range of motion.
Some conditions affect the knees in unique ways. One way you might be experiencing knee pain is that your knee hurts only when it’s straight but not when it’s bent. There are a few reasons you might be experiencing this kind of pain:
Common reasons your knee hurts when straight but not when bent
Your knee may hurt when straight but not when bent for a few different reasons. The most common reasons you may have this kind of pain are:
- Runner’s knee — Runner’s knee (patellofemoral pain syndrome) is a condition in which the tendon connecting your kneecap to your shin becomes inflamed. This inflammation usually develops as a result of overexertion and repetitive motions from activities like running. Often, this pain flares up around your kneecap when you try to fully straighten your leg.
- Torn meniscus — Severe impacts can cause the knee to violently twist, which can tear the menisci. The menisci are pieces of cartilage between the shin- and thighbones of your knee. When one or more of the menisci are torn, they can fold back on themselves, making it painful and difficult for you to bend your knee.
- Strained muscles — Overexerting your knee in physical activity can cause one or more of the muscles surrounding the knee to become stretched or torn, which is an injury known as a strain. Some strained muscles can feel worse when you try to fully straighten your knee.
Talk to Panther Physical Therapy today about knee pain treatment
When you have a condition that causes your knee to hurt when straight but not when bent, it can be difficult to get through your daily life. Our physical therapists at Panther can examine your knee and develop a personalized treatment routine to help you recover from your pain. Contact our team today for more information about knee pain treatment or to schedule an initial appointment.