Medical experts warn of specific knee pain patterns to monitor

Knee pain affects approximately one-fifth of people over the age of 16, with prevalence increasing as individuals age. While most knee pain in adults over 40 is attributed to general wear and tear or osteoarthritis, medical experts warn that certain patterns of pain require immediate investigation.

Dr. Syed Nadeem Abbas, a surgeon and regenerative medicine expert, notes that pain which does not follow typical patterns—specifically pain that is worse at rest than during activity or pain that wakes a person up at night—should be checked by a doctor. While osteoarthritis and overuse typically ease during rest, nighttime pain can occasionally be a symptom of more serious conditions, including bone tumors.

Chondrosarcoma, a common type of primary bone cancer, often affects adults over 40. Although primary bone cancer is relatively uncommon, with approximately 550 cases reported annually in the UK, early detection is critical. Other potential causes for nighttime knee pain include rheumatoid arthritis, gout, tendonitis, prepatellar bursitis, Osgood-Schlatter disease, or vitamin D deficiency.