Medial knee pain can significantly impact your ability to enjoy sports and everyday activities. For avid tennis players and active adults, pain in the inner knee can limit performance on the court and disrupt life off it. One term gaining recognition in sports medicine is “tennis elbow of the knee” or “tennis knee,” a condition that affects the inside of the knee.
What’s behind this discomfort? And, more importantly, what are your options for relief? From understanding causes to exploring regenerative treatments, we’ll guide you through tennis knee (medial knee pain) symptoms, anatomy, and practical solutions.
What Is Tennis Elbow of the Knee?
Tennis elbow of the knee, or “tennis knee,” a colloquialism for medial knee pain, refers to an irritation or inflammation of the tendons along the medial (inner) side of your knee. Also known as pes anserine tendinopathy, this condition impacts a group of tendons located just below the knee joint.
The tendons involved in medial knee pain—sartorius, gracilis, and semitendinosus tendons, collectively called the pes anserinus complex—play a critical role in stabilizing your knee during activities involving side-to-side movement or quick stops and pivots. When these tendons are overused or strained, discomfort and inflammation can develop.
Symptoms of Tennis Knee
Spotting the signs of tennis knee early can help you take steps to address the condition before it worsens. Common symptoms include:
- Medial Knee Pain with Activity
A sharp or persistent ache on the inside of the knee, typically aggravated by activities such as running, squatting, or climbing stairs. - Tenderness and Swelling
You may notice tenderness when touching the area just below the knee joint, along with localized swelling. - Crepitus (Popping or Cracking Sensations)
Some individuals experience a sensation of popping or grinding during movement, particularly when bending the knee.
If you identify with any of these tennis knee symptoms, it’s essential to consult a healthcare provider for a thorough evaluation to determine the appropriate course of action.
Anatomy & Risk Factors
The pes anserinus complex comprises three key tendons that insert on the inner side of the tibia (shinbone). These tendons combine to provide stability and power to your knee, especially during lateral (side-to-side) movements common in tennis and other sports.
Risk Factors for Tennis Knee:
- Repetitive Overuse
Quick pivots and lateral movements increase strain on the pes anserinus tendons, especially during tennis or similar activities. - Poor Biomechanics
Misaligned posture, weak hip stabilizers, or improper foot placement can lead to increased stress on the inner knee. - Weak Muscles and Overtraining
Insufficient strength training or inadequate recovery time between workouts heightens the risk of overuse injuries.
Understanding these risk factors can guide prevention strategies, such as improving strength and technique, to reduce strain on the inner knee.
Conventional Tennis Knee Pain Treatments
Managing tennis knee pain often begins with traditional approaches aimed at reducing inflammation, relieving pain, and restoring mobility. Common treatments include:
- Rest and Ice
Avoid activities that exacerbate pain and use ice to calm inflammation in the affected area. - Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
Over-the-counter NSAIDs like ibuprofen can temporarily reduce inflammation and discomfort. - Physical Therapy
Targeted exercises, such as strengthening the vastus medialis oblique (VMO) muscles and foam rolling the iliotibial band (ITB), can stabilize the knee and reduce pain. - Bracing or Orthotics
Wearing supportive braces or using orthotic inserts can correct biomechanics and relieve pressure on the pes anserinus tendons. - Steroid Injections
Corticosteroid injections may provide short-term relief by reducing inflammation, although they do not address the underlying cause.
While these approaches can be effective for managing symptoms temporarily, they may not provide a long-term solution for some patients. That’s where regenerative medicine comes in.
Regenerative Medicine for Tennis Knee Pain
Unlike conventional methods, regenerative medicine focuses on enhancing the body’s natural healing processes. This innovative approach is particularly appealing for those seeking alternatives to invasive surgeries or prolonged use of prescription medications.
Regenerative options:
- Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy
PRP therapy involves using concentrated platelets from your own blood to deliver growth factors directly to the affected area. These growth factors promote tissue revitalization, reduce inflammation, and improve knee function. - Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC)
BMAC treatments harness cells from your bone marrow to support healing processes in the injured tendons. These techniques are designed to stimulate tissue revitalization and improve joint health.
While steroid injections may suppress inflammation for a limited time, regenerative medicine actively aids in tissue enhancement and longevity. These therapies provide a natural, minimally invasive complement to traditional approaches, making them an increasingly popular choice for active individuals.
PRP Therapy for Tennis Knee Pain
PRP therapy is among the most sought-after regenerative treatments for knee-related conditions, including tennis knee. This process begins with drawing a small amount of your blood, which is then processed to concentrate platelets. Once injected into the pes anserinus region, the platelets can release growth factors that encourage tissue revitalization and modulate inflammation.
Evidence for PRP’s effectiveness continues to grow, with recent clinical studies highlighting its role in improving function and reducing discomfort for patients with sports-related knee injuries.
BMAC Treatments for Tennis Knee
BMAC therapy involves collecting bone marrow from the hip area under local anesthesia. This marrow contains cells and growth factors that, when applied to the knee, promote the body’s repair mechanisms. Clinical outcomes suggest BMAC can improve activity levels and reduce pain in patients with chronic knee conditions.
Treatment Process & What to Expect
At QC Kinetix, we strive to ensure every patient receives tailored care. When you visit us for inside-knee pain treatment, here’s what you can expect:
- Comprehensive Evaluation
Your medical provider will assess the source and severity of your knee pain and determine if you are a candidate for regenerative treatments. - Customized Plan
A treatment plan is developed based on your unique needs and goals, focusing on reducing pain and enhancing mobility. - Gradual Recovery
Recovery often involves mild soreness initially, with gradual improvement typically noticed within 8–12 weeks. Many patients report improved activity levels as their inner knee begins to feel stronger.
Frequently Asked Questions about Tennis Knee Pain
Here are some answers to FAQs about tennis knee pain:
What is tennis elbow of the knee (tennis knee)?
Tennis knee refers to inflammation or irritation of tendons on the inner side of the knee, known as pes anserine tendinopathy. Your physician may call this condition medial knee pain.
What causes inside-knee pain in tennis players?
Frequent lateral movements, overuse, and poor biomechanics are common causes of medial knee pain in tennis players.
How is tennis knee diagnosed?
Diagnosis typically involves a physical exam, along with a review of symptoms and activity levels.
What non-surgical treatments are available for tennis knee?
Non-surgical treatment options for tennis knee include rest, ice, bracing, regenerative therapies such as PRP or BMAC, and physical therapy.
What are the risks and side effects of regenerative injections in the knee?
Regenerative injections are non-surgical and minimally invasive, with common temporary side effects including mild soreness at the injection site.
Explore Tennis Knee Pain Treatment at QC Kinetix
If you’re dealing with tennis elbow of the knee or chronic medial knee discomfort, QC Kinetix can help. Our regenerative medicine techniques are tailored to enhance your body’s natural healing and help you return to the activities you love.
Don’t wait to reclaim your active lifestyle. Schedule a consultation today at one of our QC Kinetix locations near you! Start your journey toward alleviating knee pain and exploring the benefits of regenerative medicine.
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