Not all knee pain stems from the same cause. While arthritis is a leading source of joint pain in older adults, younger patients or those with a previous knee injury may experience knee pain from a different condition, such as a torn meniscus, tendinitis, or bursitis. Understanding how to differentiate between arthritis and other knee issues is key to getting an accurate diagnosis and the right treatment.
At Barrington Orthopedic Specialists, our experienced knee pain specialists, including Dr. Ciro Cirrincione, Dr. Rohan Gopinath, Dr. Sean Jereb, Dr. Paul Nourbash, Dr. Thomas Obermeyer, and Dr. Jason Rotstein, use advanced diagnostic tools to help patients find lasting relief from knee problems. If you’re seeking expert knee pain diagnosis, we’re here to help. Request an appointment today.
Here’s how to recognize the differences between arthritis and other common knee pain types.
Arthritis vs. Meniscus Tears, Tendinitis, and Bursitis
Arthritis
Arthritis is a chronic disease that causes inflammation and gradual degeneration of the knee joint. The most common form is knee osteoarthritis, a wear-and-tear condition where joint cartilage slowly breaks down over time. Other forms include rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to attack the joint lining (synovium), leading to joint damage, pain, and stiffness.
Because arthritis affects the entire joint structure, including cartilage, bone, joint capsule, and soft tissues, it tends to produce a unique symptom pattern compared to other knee issues.
What Are the Typical Symptoms of Knee Osteoarthritis?
Arthritis-related knee pain often develops in a gradual and progressive way, rather than after a single injury. Patients commonly experience:
- Gradual onset of joint pain and stiffness
- Pain and swelling that worsen with activity and improves with rest
- Reduced range of motion, making it difficult to fully bend or straighten the knee
- Grating sensation (crepitus) from cartilage wear and bone friction
- Morning stiffness and stiffness felt after periods of inactivity
These symptoms typically worsen over time as joint cartilage continues to break down.
How Does Inflammation in Osteoarthritis Affect the Knee?
Inflammation in arthritis tends to be deep and diffuse, affecting the entire joint environment, including the bone, cartilage, and soft tissues.
- In osteoarthritis, inflammation arises as articular cartilage wears down, causing friction between bones and leading to bone spurs (osteophytes).
- In rheumatoid arthritis, inflammation is often systemic, affecting multiple joints and sometimes causing fatigue, weight loss, or foot pain.
- Joint swelling in osteoarthritis tends to be persistent and may involve thickening of the joint capsule, joint effusion (fluid buildup), and soft tissue changes, not just localized swelling.
This pattern of deep-seated inflammation helps differentiate osteoarthritis from tendinitis or bursitis, which cause more superficial, localized inflammation.
How Is Knee Osteoarthritis Treated?
Arthritis treatment depends on the type, severity, and impact on function. The goal is to reduce pain, slow disease progression, and preserve joint mobility:
- Physical therapy to improve knee strength, flexibility, and joint function
- Viscosupplementation injections to lubricate the joint and relieve pain, especially in knee osteoarthritis
- Medications:
- NSAIDs to reduce inflammation and provide pain relief
- Weight management to reduce stress on weight-bearing joints
- Surgical options for advanced cases:
- Partial knee replacement
- Total knee replacement surgery
Early diagnosis and a personalized treatment plan can help reduce inflammation, preserve joint space, and significantly improve pain and mobility.
Meniscus Tears
A meniscus tear involves injury to the meniscus, a C-shaped piece of cartilage that acts as a shock absorber between the thigh bone (femur) and shin bone (tibia). Tears often result from a sudden twist, pivot, or repetitive overuse, particularly in younger patients and athletes who participate in high-impact or rotational sports.
A torn meniscus affects joint mechanics and can lead to instability, making proper diagnosis essential.
What Are the Symptoms of a Meniscus Tear?
Meniscus tears tend to cause mechanical symptoms and more sudden-onset pain compared to arthritis. Typical signs include:
- Sudden sharp pain after twisting or pivoting
- Swelling within hours of injury
- Catching, locking, or a feeling of instability during movement
- Inability to fully straighten the knee
- Localized swelling along the joint line
How Does Inflammation Appear With a Meniscus Tear?
Inflammation from a meniscus tear is usually localized, not deep and diffuse like in osteoarthritis:
- Swelling tends to occur near the joint line, often over the medial (inner) or lateral (outer) side of the knee
- Mechanical symptoms like locking or catching are common because of loose meniscus fragments or an unstable flap
- There is typically no systemic inflammation (unlike in rheumatoid arthritis)
- The joint space is not narrowed unless there is underlying osteoarthritis
How Is a Meniscus Tear Treated?
Treatment for a torn meniscus depends on the tear type, location, and severity:
- Initial care: Rest, ice, NSAIDs to manage swelling and pain
- Physical therapy to restore knee motion and strengthen supporting muscles
- If symptoms persist or if there is mechanical instability:
- Arthroscopic meniscal repair (preferred if the tear is repairable)
- Partial meniscectomy (removal of torn fragments) if repair is not possible
- Weight-bearing restrictions may be recommended during the recovery period after meniscal repair surgery to allow healing]
Tendinitis
Tendinitis is inflammation of the tendons surrounding the knee, most commonly affecting the patellar tendon (often called jumper’s knee). It is especially common in athletes and active individuals due to repetitive stress on the tendon, such as jumping, running, or high-impact sports.
Unlike arthritis or meniscus tears, tendinitis is typically related to overuse rather than structural joint damage.
What Are the Symptoms of Knee Tendinitis?
Knee tendinitis presents with a more localized symptom pattern compared to arthritis or meniscus tears:
- Burning pain localized to the tendon (usually below the kneecap)
- Pain worsens with activity, especially running, jumping, or squatting
- Tenderness to touch directly over the tendon
- Little to no deep joint swelling — symptoms remain more surface-level
How Does Inflammation Appear in Tendinitis?
Inflammation in tendinitis is typically localized and superficial:
- Affects the tendon, not the joint space
- No evidence of cartilage wear or bone spurs (unlike osteoarthritis)
- Symptoms are usually linked to repetitive overuse or poor biomechanics
- Not associated with systemic inflammation or multiple joints
How Is Knee Tendinitis Treated?
Treatment for knee tendinitis focuses on reducing inflammation, correcting movement patterns, and promoting healing:
- Activity modification to avoid aggravating movements (temporary rest from jumping or running)
- Physical therapy focusing on flexibility, eccentric strengthening, and correcting movement mechanics
- NSAIDs to help reduce inflammation and provide pain relief
- In selected cases, Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections may help stimulate tendon healing
With the right rehabilitation program, many patients can successfully return to full activity and reduce their risk of recurrence.
Bursitis
Bursitisis inflammation of the bursa, small fluid-filled sacs that cushion and protect the knee joint. The most common type is prepatellar bursitis, which typically affects individuals who kneel frequently (such as gardeners, tradespeople, or athletes).
Unlike osteoarthritis, bursitis is usually caused by repetitive pressure, trauma, or overuse, not by joint degeneration.
What Are the Symptoms of Knee Bursitis?
Bursitis presents with localized and surface-level symptoms, making it easier to distinguish from arthritis or deeper joint issues:
- Visible, soft swelling on the front of the knee (prepatellar area)
- Warmth and tenderness to touch
- Pain that increases with direct pressure, such as kneeling
- No mechanical symptoms (such as locking or catching), which are more typical of meniscus tears
- Symptoms often develop after a specific activity or repetitive pressure
How Does Inflammation Appear in Bursitis?
Inflammation in bursitis is usually:
- Superficial and localized to the bursa
- Typically triggered by repetitive trauma or direct pressure over the bursa
- Not associated with joint space narrowing, cartilage wear, or bone spurs (as seen in osteoarthritis)
- No systemic inflammation — symptoms remain confined to the affected area
How Is Knee Bursitis Treated?
Bursitis treatment focuses on relieving inflammation, reducing pressure on the bursa, and preventing recurrence:
- NSAIDs, ice, and knee braces to offload the joint and manage pain
- Activity modification to avoid prolonged kneeling or repetitive trauma
- Aspiration of the bursa (removal of excess fluid) may be needed if swelling is significant
- Physical therapy to address contributing factors (such as poor movement patterns or muscle imbalances) and to promote proper knee mechanics
Most cases of bursitis respond well to conservative care and do not require surgery.
What’s the Main Difference?
Here’s a quick comparison to help understand how these conditions differ:
- Osteoarthritis: A chronic, progressive disease that causes joint degeneration and deep, diffuse inflammation. Symptoms develop gradually and worsen over time, often affecting multiple areas of the knee joint and leading to reduced mobility.
- Meniscus Tear: A mechanical injury to the knee’s shock-absorbing cartilage, usually following a specific movement (twist or pivot). Causes sharp pain, swelling, instability, and mechanical symptoms like catching or locking.
- Tendinitis: An overuse injury causing localized inflammation of a knee tendon (often the patellar tendon). Pain is activity-related, typically has no joint damage or mechanical symptoms, and resolves with proper rehabilitation.
- Bursitis: A superficial inflammation of a bursa, typically caused by repetitive pressure or trauma. Presents with localized swelling and tenderness at the front of the knee. No damage to joint cartilage or bone structure.
Because these conditions can have overlapping symptoms, an accurate diagnosis is critical, and treatments vary significantly.
Find Relief for Knee Pain at Barrington Orthopedic Specialists
If you’re struggling with knee pain and aren’t sure of the cause, our team at Barrington Orthopedic Specialists – that includes Dr. Rohan Gopinath, Dr. Sean Jereb, Dr. Paul Nourbash, Dr. Thomas Obermeyer, and Dr. Jason Rotstein – is ready to help. Whether it’s arthritis, tendinitis, meniscus tears, or bursitis, we’ll provide expert diagnosis and personalized treatment to get you moving again.
Request an appointment today at one of our convenient locations in Schaumburg, Elk Grove Village, Bartlett, or Buffalo Grove and take your first step toward lasting relief.
