Side Knee Pain

Pain in the side of the knee is the most common musculoskeletal disorder, which occurs due to an injury to the tissues supporting the knee joint. The knee joint is the complex hinge joint that helps in bending and straightening of the knee. It comprises a number of structures including bones, ligaments, tendons, and cartilage that help the joint to perform different activities and to support the entire body. A destruction or inflammation in any of these structures can lead to intense and burning pain on side of knee.

Causes
Whether it is pain on the right side or left side of the knee, there are various causes that contribute to it.

Ligament Injuries: Ligament injuries are the most common cause of side knee pain, especially in athletes and sportsmen. Extreme pressure on the knees during sports, a fall or an accident can result in torn ligaments that may cause burning pain in knee.

Chondromalacia: The term chondromalacia is used to describe softening and deterioration of the underside of the kneecap. Quite common in young athletes, it is typically an injury due to trauma, overuse, poor alignment of the knee joint, or muscle imbalance. This results in friction and rubbing underneath the kneecap which impairs the surface of the cartilage. This further leads to mild pain around or under the kneecap that worsens due to any weight bearing activity.

Osteoarthritis: A type of arthritis that causes gradual wearing and tearing of the joint cartilage, osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that causes severe right or left side knee pain along with swelling of the adjoining areas that decreases the range of motion of the knee.

Meniscus Injuries: The meniscus is a tiny, "c" shaped piece of cartilage that works as a cushion in the knee joint, between the thigh bone (femur) and the tibia (shin bone). The side of the knee pain after running or after any sports can occur due to excessive force on the knees which causes a partial or total tear of the meniscus cartilage.

Tendonitis: A common sport injury that causes an inflammation or irritation of a tendon due to overuse, tendonitis is one of the most common cause of knee pain. It leads to deep, nagging pain in the knee joints.

Iliotibial Band Syndrome: Also known as IT band friction syndrome, iliotibial band syndrome is another common cause of this pain. The iliotibial band is a firm, thick band of fibrous tissue that runs along the outside (lateral) knee and the lower thigh. Along with thigh muscles it provide stability to the exterior of a knee joint during movement. The syndrome primarily caused by inflammation of the iliotibial band that occurs due to overuse or an injury while running or during sports.

Treatment
One of the most common method used by orthopedic surgeons to treat knee pain due to injuries is R.I.C.E. (rest, ice, compression and elevation). In this method, the patient should not strain the knee and should walk only using crutches. Applying ice on the knee for 15 - 20 minutes several times a day will help to control swelling. Tying a compressive elastic bandage around the knee and keeping the knee elevated works effectively in relieving the pain. The patient can also be given non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including aspirin, ibuprofen (advil, motrin, others) and naproxen (aleve, naprosyn), to alleviate the pain and inflammation.

Apart from all these medications, the best way to cure side knee pain is self care and complete rest. Strengthening and stretching knee exercises will also help in subsiding the IT band pain. However, if these measures don't prove to be helpful and in time the pain worsens, it's recommended to consult an orthopedist to determine the underlying cause and necessary treatment.