Pain On The Side of The Knee: IT Band, LCL, and Meniscus Issues

Pain on the outside of the knee can be caused by various factors, often from overuse.  If you have pain on the outside of your knee it is important to visit your healthcare provider to make sure no serious injury has occuring, and prevent the injury from getting worse. Our team Garden State Pain and Orthopedics specializes in knee pain, and helps diagnose and treat your pain. 

Knee pain along the outside of your knee could stem from any of the following: 

IT band syndrome: The iliotibial (IT) band is a thick band of tissue that runs along the outside of the thigh from the hip to the shin. Overuse or repetitive motions can cause the IT band to become tight and inflamed, leading to pain on the outside of the knee.

• IT band issues can stem from improper technique when training, muscle imbalances, lack of warm up, or just general overuse. 
• This is typically treated by getting the swelling down with  RICE Therapy (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation), along with stretching and strengthening exercises. You may also be able to reduce swelling with Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatories (NASIDs).

Lateral collateral ligament (LCL) injury: The LCL is a ligament that stabilizes the outer side of the knee joint. Injury or overstretching of this ligament, often due to sudden twisting or direct impact to the inside of the knee, can cause pain on the outside of the knee.

• Sports like football, soccer, basketball, and skiing have a high risk of LCL injury due to the sudden changes in direction and direct impact.
• LCL injuries can be treated conservatively, as well as surgically. Physical therapy and Platelet-Rich Therapy are other treatments that may be offered by your physician. 

Meniscus tear: The meniscus is a cartilage in the knee joint that helps cushion and stabilize the joint. A tear in the meniscus, often caused by twisting or sudden movements, can result in pain on the outside of the knee.

• Meniscus tears often occur during other knee ligament tears. High impact tears, and degeneration cause most meniscus tears. 
• Surgeries are conservative treatments offered, and will be suggested based upon your individual goals and the severity of the tear. 

Iliotibial band friction syndrome (ITBFS): This occurs when the IT band rubs against the outer part of the knee joint, causing friction and irritation. This is common in runners and cyclists due to repetitive motions.

Bursitis: Bursae are small fluid-filled sacs that cushion the joints. Bursitis occurs when these bursae become inflamed, often due to overuse or repetitive movements, leading to pain on the outside of the knee.

Patellar tracking disorder: This occurs when the patella (kneecap) does not move properly along its groove in the femur, causing it to rub against the outer part of the knee joint and lead to pain.

Iliotibial band tightness: Tightness or shortening of the IT band can pull on the knee joint, causing pain on the outside of the knee.

If you are experiencing knee pain it is important to see a physician for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan. Garden State Pain and Orthopedics offers comprehensive conservative, and surgical treatments for knee pain. Your personalized treatment may include rest, ice, physical therapy exercises, stretching, bracing, and sometimes surgery. Questions about your knee pain? You can schedule an appointment with one of our specialists by selecting the book now button. 

Orthopedic Providers:

Dr. Deepan Patel, MD - Orthopedic Specialist

Dr. Patel practices in Garden State Pain and Orthopedics’ Jersey City, Clifton, West Orange, and Edison locations and specializes in sports injuries, tendon repairs, joint replacements, arthroscopic surgery, and tends to all injuries related to the shoulder, knee, hip, elbow, wrist, and ankle. He offers innovative treatment options for common sports-related injuries, including ACL tears, meniscus tears, and labral tears.

Dr. Scott Hanauer, MD - Foot and Ankle Specialist

Dr. Hanauer is located in Clifton, Jersey City, Edison, and West Orange, and provides treatments for all injuries related to the foot and ankle. Achilles ruptures, bunions, bunionettes, hammertoes, fractures, and ligament reconstruction are commonly treated by Dr. Hanauer. He also specializes in reconstructive foot and ankle surgery, including ankle replacement, flat foot and cavus foot reconstruction, and ankle and midfoot fusions.

Matt Jensen, PA - Orthopedic Physician Assistant

Physician Assistant Matt Jenses helps patients with injuries related to the shoulder, knee, hip, elbow, wrist, and ankle, and works out of Jersey City, Clifton, Edison, and West Orange. 

Pain Management Providers:

Dr. Dev Sinha, MD - Pain Medicine Physician

Dr. Dev Sinha specializes in pain medicine and physical medicine and rehabilitation at Garden State Pain & Orthopedics integrating physical and behavioral therapies, medications, and the most innovative, minimally-invasive procedures. He is available in Clifton, Jersey City, and Edison. 

Dr. Neil Sinha, MD - Pain Medicine Physician

Dr. Sinha is especially interested in treating cervical and lumbar pain, sciatica, spinal stenosis, and post-laminectomy syndrome. He also specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of complex regional pain syndrome, facial pain, and headaches. Dr. Neil Sinha is available in Edison, Clifton, Hazlet, and Jersey City, New Jersey.

Dr. Jahnna Levy, DO - Pain Medicine Physician 

As an osteopathic physiatrist, Dr. Levy believes in a multifaceted and holistic approach to pain management. She treats each person as an individual, formulating a systematic treatment plan to restore function, reduce pain, and improve their quality of life. Along with neck, back, and joint pain, Dr. Levy also treats vein conditions such as varicose veins and spider veins at Garden State Pain and Orthopedics’ locations in West Orange, Clifton, Jersey City, and Edison. 

Dr. Saurabh Dang, MD, MBA - Pain Medicine Physician

Dr Dang offers multiple therapies for the treatment of chronic pain including: Intrathecal drug delivery system implantation, Dorsal Column Spinal Cord Stimulation implantation, Dorsal Root Spinal Cord Stimulation implantation, Insertion of interspinous spacer for spinal stenosis, SI joint arthrodesis, kyphoplasty, minimally invasive lumbar decompression (mild procedure) for spinal stenosis, and percutaneous tenotomy among others to treat chronic pain. 

Dr. Dipan Patel, MD - Pain Medicine Physician

Dr. Dipan Patel specializes in Botox® for chronic pain disorders, trigeminal neuralgia, temporomandibular joint disorders, and headache and chronic migraine. He also specializes in complex regional pain syndrome, joint pain, and post-laminectomy syndrome at four of our office locations in Edison, Clifton, Hazlet, and Jersey City, New Jersey.

Dr. Andrew So - Pain Medicine Physician

Dr. So specializes in neck pain, back pain, spine pain, post-laminectomy syndrome, headache pain, migraine pain, joint pain, knee pain, shoulder pain, hip pain, neuropathy, acute, and post-surgical pain syndromes, and complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), amongst others in Clifton, Jersey City, Edison, and West Orange. 

Tyler Duggan, PA - Pain Medicine Physician Assistant

Tyler Duggan is a nationally certified physician assistant who specializes in pain management. He believes in a multimodal, evidence-based strategy for the treatment of both acute and chronic pain utilizing the most advanced, minimally invasive techniques when necessary. Tyler is located in Clifton, Jersey City, and Edison, New Jersey. 

Locations:

Clifton

Address: 1117 Route 46 East, Suite 301, Clifton, NJ 07013

Phone: 973-777-5444

Edison

Address: 25 South Main Street, Suite 12, Edison, NJ 08837

Phone: 732-376-0330

Jersey City

Address: 631 Grand Street, Suite 2-100, Jersey City, NJ 07304

Phone: 973-777-5444

Hazlet

Address: 226 Middle Road, Suite 4, Hazlet, NJ 07730 

Phone: 732-376-0330 

West Orange

Address: 443 Northfield Ave West Orange, NJ 07052

Phone: 732-376-0330