The inside of your knee might hurt after basketball due to several reasons, with jumper's knee (patellar tendinopathy) being a common culprit. However, other potential causes range from minor strains to more significant injuries.
Potential Causes of Inside Knee Pain After Basketball
Here's a breakdown of possible causes:
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Patellar Tendinopathy (Jumper's Knee):
- Cause: Overuse and repetitive stress on the patellar tendon (the tendon connecting your kneecap to your shinbone). This is common in jumping sports like basketball.
- Symptoms: Pain just below the kneecap, often worse during or after activity.
- Why basketball? Frequent jumping, landing, and quick changes in direction place a lot of stress on the patellar tendon.
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Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) Sprain:
- Cause: A sudden blow to the outside of the knee can stretch or tear the MCL, a ligament on the inside of the knee.
- Symptoms: Pain on the inside of the knee, swelling, and difficulty bending or straightening the leg.
- Why basketball? Contact with other players is common, increasing the risk of a blow to the knee.
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Meniscal Tear:
- Cause: Twisting or pivoting movements, especially when bearing weight, can tear the meniscus, a cartilage pad in the knee. Tears of the medial meniscus would cause pain on the inside of the knee.
- Symptoms: Pain, swelling, clicking or locking sensation in the knee.
- Why basketball? Basketball involves frequent pivoting and twisting motions.
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Pes Anserine Bursitis:
- Cause: Inflammation of the bursa (a fluid-filled sac) located on the inside of the knee, just below the joint. This bursa cushions the tendons of three muscles that insert in this area.
- Symptoms: Pain on the inside of the knee, especially when bending or straightening the leg.
- Why basketball? Repetitive movements and overuse can irritate the bursa.
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Osteoarthritis:
- Cause: Degeneration of the cartilage in the knee joint. This is more common in older individuals but can occur earlier with previous injuries.
- Symptoms: Pain, stiffness, and swelling in the knee.
- Why basketball? The impact and stress of basketball can exacerbate existing osteoarthritis.
What to Do About Knee Pain
- Rest: Avoid activities that worsen the pain.
- Ice: Apply ice packs to the knee for 15-20 minutes at a time, several times a day.
- Compression: Use a compression bandage to reduce swelling.
- Elevation: Keep your leg elevated to help reduce swelling.
- Over-the-counter pain relievers: Medications like ibuprofen or naproxen can help reduce pain and inflammation.
When to See a Doctor:
- If the pain is severe.
- If you cannot bear weight on the leg.
- If the knee is unstable or feels like it is giving way.
- If you have significant swelling.
- If the pain does not improve after a few days of home treatment.
A doctor can properly diagnose the cause of your knee pain and recommend the appropriate treatment. This might include physical therapy, bracing, or, in some cases, surgery.
