That sharp or nagging pain on the inside of your knee when bending and straightening your leg? It’s frustrating, uncomfortable, and honestly a little scary. You might be wondering what caused it, how serious it is, or whether you’re making it worse without even realizing it.
As physical therapists, we see this type of pain all the time. Whether it’s from a recent injury or something that’s been slowly building, medial knee pain can show up from several sources, and each one needs a different approach.
You don’t have to live with that discomfort or let it limit what you love doing. Let’s explore:
- What might be happening inside your knee
- Why the pain shows up during movement
- What steps can help you heal and stay active
Common Causes of Pain on the Inside of Your Knee When Bending and Straightening
Pain on the inside of your knee when bending and straightening usually signals an underlying issue with the soft tissues or the knee joint structure itself. If you notice a sharp pain or a dull ache in that area, it’s time to look more closely at what might be going on.
Let’s break down the most common causes of medial knee pain and how sports physical therapy can help you recover and prevent future injuries.
Medial Meniscus Injury
Your medial meniscus is a C-shaped piece of cartilage between your thigh bone and shin bone. It cushions and stabilizes the knee joint.
A tear here often comes from a quick twist, squat, or repeated stress. You may feel a sharp pain, experience joint locking, or hear a popping sound.
Physical therapy can help you:
- Strengthen the surrounding leg muscles
- Reduce friction within the joint
- Regain normal range of motion
- Avoid further medial knee issues
Sports physical therapy also provides guided recovery for athletes or active individuals so you can safely return to movement.
Medial Collateral Ligament Injury (MCL Injury)
The medial collateral ligament runs along the inside of the knee and helps prevent side-to-side instability. An MCL injury usually comes from direct force to the outer knee or repetitive stress.
Symptoms include:
- Swelling
- Inner knee pain
- Difficulty bending or straightening
With sports performance physical therapy, you can:
- Restore strength to the leg muscles
- Improve balance and stability
- Protect the knee from future strain
A structured plan reduces knee pain while helping the ligament heal fully and correctly.
You should not have to choose between rest and results. With the right care, you can reduce knee pain, restore your movement, and get back to the life you enjoy.
Reach out to us at RecoverRx Performance Physical Therapy today and request an appointment or give us a call at (331) 253-2426.
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (Runner’s Knee)
This condition causes knee pain around or behind the kneecap. It’s common in runners or anyone with muscle imbalances that pull the kneecap out of place.
You might feel pain on the inside when climbing stairs, squatting, or doing leg presses. The discomfort often increases with activity and may come with a popping sound.
Physical therapy focuses on:
- Correcting muscle imbalance
- Training better movement patterns
- Reducing pressure between the kneecap and thigh bone
Targeted treatment helps reduce knee pain and keeps it from returning during physical activity.
Pes Anserine Bursitis
This condition affects the thin tissue that cushions where tendons from the hamstring and inner thigh meet the shin bone. Irritation here causes inflammation and a localized burning or aching sensation.
You may feel pain while bending or after repetitive turning movements. Climbing stairs can worsen it.
Sports physical therapy can:
- Reduce inflammation
- Stretch and strengthen the surrounding muscles
- Prevent recurrence by adjusting movement mechanics
It also helps manage body weight and muscle control to limit joint pressure.
Patellar Tendonitis (Jumper’s Knee)
Patellar tendonitis causes pain just below the kneecap where the patellar tendon connects to the shin bone. It often stems from overuse in jumping or running sports.
The knee hurts more during motion than at rest. You might notice swelling or tenderness in the tendon.
Physical therapy can:
- Ease tendon stress through eccentric loading
- Correct posture and jumping form
- Strengthen the quadriceps and hamstrings
This builds resilience and reduces your risk of patellar tendon tear.
Knee Osteoarthritis
Knee osteoarthritis results from wear and tear over time. The cartilage that protects your knee bones begins to break down, leading to medial knee pain and stiffness.
You may feel a dull ache when bending and straightening, especially in the morning or after sitting.
A PT plan helps you:
- Improve joint movement
- Reduce knee pain through low-impact exercises
- Strengthen supporting muscles to decrease joint stress
Long-term, this can slow the progression of arthritis and improve daily function.
Ligament Injuries (ACL, PCL, LCL)
Besides the MCL, your knee has three other major ligaments: the anterior cruciate ligament, posterior cruciate ligament, and lateral collateral ligament.
Injuries to these ligaments can also lead to inner knee pain if the knee joint is destabilized.
These often occur during high-impact sports or trauma and may involve swelling, instability, or sharp pain with movement.
Physical therapy is essential for:
- Building back muscle support
- Restoring balance and knee function
- Preparing you to return to sport safely
Even without surgery, sports PT plays a critical role in recovery.
Less Common but Possible Causes
These conditions may not be as frequent but still deserve attention if symptoms persist:
- Plica syndrome from irritated connective tissue in the knee
- Synovial fluid imbalance causing inflammation and stiffness
- Rheumatoid arthritis triggering inflammation in the joint
Physical therapy addresses each with tailored care plans based on your medical history, activity level, and specific knee pain patterns.
If you feel pain on the inside of your knee when bending and straightening, it’s not something to ignore. Identifying the cause is the first step. Targeted sports physical therapy can help you reduce pain, heal correctly, and get back to moving without hesitation.
RecoverRx Performance Physical Therapy: Helping You Keep Moving
At RecoverRx Performance Physical Therapy, you get more than temporary relief. You get personalized care focused on real recovery, long-term results, and a return to doing what you love without pain.
Focused on Finding the Root Cause
We do not treat symptoms in isolation. Instead, we dig deep to uncover what is truly causing your knee pain.
You may have tried stretching, resting, or even pain medicines without lasting results. If the root cause is not addressed, the pain keeps coming back.
We help you understand how your movement patterns, posture, strength imbalances, and even past injuries affect the inside of your knee. That gives us a clear starting point for lasting change.
A Personalized Plan That Actually Works
Your body is unique, and your recovery should be too. At RecoverRx, you do not get a one-size-fits-all program. You get a targeted plan based on your goals, your activity level, and how your body moves.
Your treatment may include:
- Hands-on manual therapy to improve joint mobility and reduce stiffness
- Functional strength training to support your knee from every angle
- Movement retraining to correct poor mechanics and prevent re-injury
- Return-to-sport guidance if you are an athlete or active adult
Every step is measured. Every milestone is tracked. That means you stay motivated and see real progress.
Designed for Active People Like You
Whether you are chasing a toddler, running a 5K, or coaching from the sidelines, we know you want to keep moving. Our approach fits active people who do not want pain to slow them down.
We help with:
- Knee injuries from sports or accidents
- Inner knee pain with everyday movements
- Medial knee issues from overuse
- Post-surgical rehab and strengthening
You get clear answers, real support, and a plan that builds your confidence with every session.
Ready to Get Back to Living Without Knee Pain?
You should not have to choose between rest and results. With the right care, you can reduce knee pain, restore your movement, and get back to the life you enjoy.Reach out to us at RecoverRx Performance Physical Therapy today and request an appointment or give us a call at (331) 253-2426.
