The knee is a hinge joint where the thigh bone, shin bone, and kneecap meet. These bones are supported by smooth cartilage, strong ligaments, and flexible tendons that help the joint bend, straighten, and absorb daily stress.
Your knee mainly performs bending and straightening, with a small amount of rotation for stability. Strong quadriceps and hamstring muscles keep the joint steady during walking, climbing, and sitting.
A healthy knee moves smoothly without pain, stiffness, or grinding. You should be able to walk, climb stairs, sit cross-legged, squat, and stand comfortably without swelling or instability.
Pain may occur when the joint is strained, the cartilage wears down, or supporting tissues like ligaments, tendons, or the kneecap become irritated. Injuries, overuse, aging, and arthritis are the most common causes.
If your knee pain lasts more than a few days, keeps coming back, causes swelling, or affects daily activities, it should be evaluated early. Timely diagnosis prevents long-term damage and supports better recovery.