Anteromedial (front and inside) Knee Pain

Have you ever had pain or swelling on the anteromedial surface (front and inside) of your knee? It’s less common than other kinds of knee pain, however it is something we see in our clinic from time to time. Chances are it’s an injury to a structure known as the pes anserinus.

ANATOMY LESSON:

The pes anserinus (“goose’s foot”) is a collection of tendons that attaches anteromedially just below the knee. It includes the tendons of 3 muscles: sartorius, gracilis and semitendinosus. As well as the tendons, there is also a bursa, a small fluid filled sac that allows the tendons to slide easily over the bone. WHAT COULD BE INJURED?

If you have pain here, it is probably either pes anserine bursitis or a tendinopathy. PES ANSERINE BURSITIS:

Inflammation of the bursa. Characterised by pain and swelling at the pes anserinus. Will often be puffy, inflamed and tender to touch.

Treatment will include icing, taking anti-inflammatories (eg. ibuprofen), and gentle stretching/foam rolling the hamstrings and the muscles on the inside of the thigh. TENDINOPATHY:

Disease of the tendon. Pain will be in a similar location to the bursitis, however there will be minimal swelling/inflammation.

Treatment will include stretching/foam rolling the hamstrings and the muscles on the inside of the thigh, isometric and eccentric loading of those muscles, and correcting any movement faults or weak links that have contributed to the dysfunction.

If you need help, reach out to our caring and friendly team at our Chatswood or North Sydney Physiotherapy Clinic. You’ll be glad you did.