There are a number of common conditions which can cause pain in or around the knee joint. Mr Tai will facilitate the diagnosis and management of your condition:

Patellar tendonitis (Jumpers knee):
Irritation of the tendon that joins the knee cap (patella) to the shin bone (tibia). Whilst this condition can occur in anyone, it is more common in people who take part in jumping sports such as basketball, and hence the condition is often referred to as “Jumper’s knee”.

Patello-femoral syndrome (Runners knee):
Typically causes pain at the front of the knee, and originates from the joint between the kneecap (patella) and thighbone (femur). It is more common in women and people who run, and hence the condition is often referred to as “Runner’s knee”.

Infrapatellar fat pad impingement:
Irritation of tissue just beneath the knee cap known as the fat pad or Hoffa’s pad. Impingement can occur as the fat pad becomes caught between the kneecap (patella) and thighbone (femur).

Collateral ligament injury:
The collateral ligaments are found on the outer (lateral) and inner (medial) aspects of the knee and connect the thighbone (femur) to the shinbone (tibia). Their purpose is to prevent sideways movement of the knee joint. Injury to either of these ligaments may result in pain or instability of the knee.

Iliotibial band (ITB) friction syndrome:
The ITB is a thick band of tissue that runs down the outer aspect of the thigh to just below the knee. It helps to stabilise the knee joint, but can become inflamed, as the ITB rubs on the underlying bone as the knee is bent and straightened. Therefore, runners are particularly susceptible to this condition, which typically causes pain at the outer (lateral) aspect of the knee.

Meniscal injury:
The menisci are two shock absorber cartilages that sit within the knee joint between the ends of the thighbone (femur) and the shinbone (tibia). They can tear with sporting injuries, or as part of a degenerative (age-related) process. Tears of the meniscus can result in pain, stiffness, swelling, clicking, catching or locking. A meniscal tear can sometimes cause a small lump (cyst) to form.


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