Knee Pain Going Down Stairs

Why Do Knee's Hurt On Stairs?

In most cases knee pain going down stairs usually indicates a problem with the knee cap (patella) and how it moves. The kneecap is a small bone, shaped like an upside down triangle which sits in the patella groove at the front of the knee and glides up and down as the knee moves.

Huge forces go through it with every day activities. As a result, the back of the patella is lined with the thickest layer of cartilage in the whole body as it is designed to withstand massive compressive forces.

Anything that interferes with how the patella moves, or that affects the cartilage lining the knee cap will magnify these huge forces and lead to knee pain going down stairs.

Common Causes of Knee Pain Going Down Stairs

The four most common causes of knee pain going down stairs are:

1. Runners Knee

Runners Knee, also known as Anterior Knee Pain or Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome, is the most common cause of knee pain going down stairs.

2. Chondromalacia Patella

What is it: Chondromalacia is a conditions where there is damage to the cartilage on the back of the kneecap

3. Knee Osteoarthritis

What is it: In osteoarthritis, there are degenerative changes aka wear and tear in the knee bones and cartilage of the knee

Symptoms: Morning stiffness, pain, swelling, clicking/grinding, reduced knee movements

Aggravating Activities: Worse after prolonged rest, activity, cold weather, stairs

Who Does It Affect: Most common over the age of 50

Learn More: in the Arthritis section

4. Pes Anserine Bursitis

What is it: With Pes Anserine bursitis, the problem is not with the kneecap directly, but inflammation of the nearby pes anserine bursa, a small fluid filled sac that reduces friction between knee tendons and bone

5. Quads Strain

What is it: A quads strain is when one or more of the quadriceps muscles on the front of the thigh are partially or fully torn

Symptoms: Thigh pain, swelling and bruising, impaired function, quads weakness

Aggravating Activities: Knee pain going down stairs, jumping, kicking

Who Does It Affect: Mostly athletes, particularly during middle age

Learn More: In the Pulled Quads section

How To Beat Knee Pain On Stairs

Whatever is causing your knee pain going down stairs or upstairs, don’t despair. There are loads of simple things you can do to make it easier to get up and down the stairs and to reduce your knee pain.

For example, did you know it can make a huge difference which leg you lead with as you go up and down. It might also be that increasing the strength or mobility in your knee helps or that changing when or how you use the stairs makes a real difference.

Check out the How To Beat Knee Pain On Stairs article for our top 10 tips on how to do stairs with knee pain.

Forces Through The Knee Cap

Want To Know More?

Of course, lots of knee problems will feel worse on the stairs, but these are the five problems where knee pain on stairs is one of the most prominent features.

You may be interested in the following articles:

• Front Knee Pain
• Pain Above Knee
• Sharp Knee Pain
• Knee Pain At Night
• Knee Strengthening Exercises
• Knee Stretching Exercises
• Top Tips On Climbing Stairs With Knee Pain

If none of these are sounding like your problem, visit the knee pain diagnosis section, for help working out was is causing your pain, and to learn what you can do about it.

Page Last Updated: 20/06/23
Next Review Due: 20/06/25

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