“Why does my knee hurt when I go from sitting to standing?” It’s an all-too-common question.

Some knee pain is temporary. But if you’re regularly experiencing it after transitioning from seated to standing positions, it may be time to seek medical attention.

Finding the root cause of that knee pain is the key to getting you the best treatment and advice to prevent the problem from reappearing in the future.

Common Causes of Knee Pain When Standing Up

There are several conditions which may be responsible for that sharp knee pain when standing up from a sitting position. Some of them have symptoms that are unique to that condition. These include:

Patellofemoral pain syndrome 

The pain with “runner’s knee,” as the condition is also known, is most often felt as frontal knee pain after sitting with legs bent. You may also feel an annoying ache behind your kneecap.

Arthritis

Osteoarthritis, the more common type of arthritis causing knee pain, comes with the wear and tear of aging, or from frequent injuries. With this condition, the soft tissues that normally cushion the joint break down. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation, with a similar wearing down of soft tissue.

Tendinitis

This condition causes swelling in the tendons around the knee joint. Patellar tendinitis is felt either just under or on the kneecap, while quadriceps tendinitis is just above or on the kneecap.

Bursitis

The fluid-filled sack that sits over the kneecap, the bursa, can become inflamed after extended kneeling. If you have bursitis, the pain might be accompanied by redness on the kneecap, along with stiffness.

Iliotibial (IT) band syndrome

Joggers and bikers are often prone to IT band syndrome, which affects the tissue running from the hip to the shin. If your knee pain involves a burning feeling on the outside of your knee, which might also extend up or down, it could be this condition.

Baker’s cyst

If you feel pain primarily in the back, it could be a Baker’s cyst, which happens due to an excess of knee-joint fluid. You may feel a bulge behind your knee, or generalized swelling and stiffness when standing or bending.

When To Seek Medical Attention

Obviously, life tends to bring aches and pains that aren’t medical emergencies. In fact, your knee pain may go away on its own. But there are a few symptoms to watch for that require medical attention:

The affected knee feels warm to the touch, and looks red and swollen.

The pain doesn’t go away and is severe.

Daily activities become impacted due to the pain and/or lack of mobility.

You can’t put weight on your leg.

You have an arthritis diagnosis or previous injury to that knee.

Experiencing one or more of these factors calls for contacting your doctor. The sooner you get a diagnosis and treatment plan, the soon you can recover and resume your regular activities without pain.

Identifying the Cause of Knee Pain

Many of us worry whether aches and pains are “bad enough” to seek a diagnosis, but it’s better to rule out a significant problem than to risk having a chronic issue.

Your medical professional will likely follow these simple steps in order to find out what’s causing your knee pain.

Basic exam
Your doctor will review your medical history with you, and also conduct a physical exam on your knee. You’ll probably be asked to move your leg and knee in various directions, sometimes while putting weight on your leg.

Imaging tests
You may need to have X-rays, MRI and/or ultrasound, depending on what the doctor suspects is behind the knee pain.

Blood tests
In some cases, your history and exam might suggest an infection or autoimmune condition. If so, you may be asked to take a blood test.

Treatment and Management Options

Depending on the root cause of your knee pain, as well as its severity, your medical team may recommend one or more of the following options:

Home remedies and lifestyle changes
Good old “RICE” (rest, elevation, compression and elevation) is one obvious place to start.

Physical therapy
PT helps patients in a number of ways, from strengthening crucial muscles, to adding flexibility. Your physical therapist can also give you tips to avoid re-injuring yourself.

Medications
Both over-the-counter and prescription medications can be helpful in easing pain and swelling. Ibuprofen (Advil) and naproxen (Aleve) are among those which may be helpful for mild to moderate knee issues. Your doctor may suggest a prescription anti-inflammatory or even a short-term opioid for more serious issues.

Bracing and orthotics
Knee braces help keep the joint stabilized. Orthotic shoes or shoe inserts also absorb the impact of climbing and walking, keeping some of the strain off your knees. In addition, you may find that a cane or walking sticks helps keep you active even while you’re recovering.

Surgical options
If you’ve tried some or all of the above methods without significant improvement, surgery may be recommended. Procedures include replacing torn ligaments, or replacing the knee joint itself.

Preventing Knee Pain When Standing Up

Along with alleviating knee pain after sitting with legs bent, there are also preventive measures to keep it from recurring.

Invest in some supportive footwear to take the strain off your knees.

Practice good posture, and consider ergonomic furniture.

Stretch regularly, and strengthen the muscles around your knee.

Reduce or modify the amount of activities that put strain on your knee.

If you’re experiencing knee pain when standing or sitting, schedule an appointment with one of our highly skilled doctors at Mississippi Sports Medicine And Orthopaedic Center today.