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Knee Pain: What That Sharp, Pinching Feeling Might Mean
Have you ever felt a sharp, pinching pain around your kneecap? It might happen on the sides, right below the kneecap, or just above it. This kind of pain often results from putting too much stress on the muscles at the front of your thigh—your quadriceps. And once that area becomes irritated, the pain can be annoying and last a long time. What makes it especially frustrating is that we rely on our knees all day, every day—for walking, getting up from a chair, climbing stairs, or even just sitting comfortably. So when knee pain flares up, it can really interfere with everyday life.
Why Does It Hurt?
The kneecap (or patella) is a small bone that "floats" over your knee joint. It doesn’t directly connect to other bones like the bones in your thigh or shin, but instead, is held in place by tendons. These tendons link the patella to the powerful muscles of your upper leg.
When everything is working well, the kneecap glides smoothly in its groove as you bend your knee. But when your quadriceps are overworked or tight, they can tug on the kneecap and pull it out of place. This leads to inflammation, irritation, and that all-too-familiar sharp, pinching pain when you walk, run, or climb stairs.
Knee Pain Isn’t Always the Same
The knee is a very complex joint with several moving parts. There are 18 different types of injuries and conditions that can affect your knee, and five of them are especially common. And since each one requires a different type of treatment, a one-size-fits-all approach rarely works.
This is why physical therapy can be so effective. A licensed physical therapist is trained to spot the differences between these knee injuries and conditions, and can guide you to the right treatments for your specific injury. Left untreated, knee pain can get worse (sometimes much worse!), which can lead to more inflammation, damage to your cartilage, and weakening of your muscles over time. This can affect your balance, mobility, and overall health.
You’re In Good Hands
At Mojo SportClinic, we diagnose and treat sharp, pinching knee pain in patients nearly every day—and our treatments work, as our patients regularly testify. With our online physical therapy platform Mojo Chat, you don’t even have to leave your home to get started. Mojo Chat is available 24/7 to begin your recovery. The system will walk you through a few easy questions about your knee and the surrounding areas. After the questions are complete you’ll have the chance to record a video, in which you can point to exactly where it hurts, describe what happened, and share any other concerns you may have.
A licensed physical therapist will review it all and provide a clear diagnosis for you, along with a personalized 14-day treatment plan you can start right away. Mojo Chat will guide you through this plan and check on your progress daily. You can ask questions using text and video, and get answers back from our physical therapists. Our physical therapists can track your healing and make adjustments whenever needed.
You Don’t Have to Suffer With Knee Pain
If you’re dealing with sharp, pinching knee pain, don’t wait. Start your Mojo Chat case today and take the first step toward relief. If your employer offers Mojo Chat, reach out to your HR team for a coupon code. Alternatively, you can always just use a credit card to begin your case.
No appointments. No traffic. Just expert help when you need it—anytime, anywhere.