Why Does My Knee Hurt When I Sit for Too Long?

After spending a long day at the computer, you notice that one or both of your knees hurt. What’s causing the pain? 

Knee pain can occur from a long list of reasons. Our board-certified orthopedic surgeons with Alpine Orthopedics and Sports Medicine provide expert treatment for knee pain and other musculoskeletal concerns. 

The following are three common reasons why your knee hurts after sitting for prolonged periods. 

Arthritis 

Leading a sedentary lifestyle contributes to arthritis pain. Even if you’re an active person, ask yourself if you sit for long periods in the evening.

Arthritis pain worsens when you’re sedentary. If you start to feel pain in your knees after watching a long movie or several episodes of a TV series in one sitting, you may have osteoarthritis. 

Osteoarthritis is more common in senior adults, but it can also occur in younger people, especially if you’ve had a previous knee injury. 

Runner’s knee: Patellofemoral pain

Is your pain in the front of your knee around your kneecap? You could have runner’s knee. The condition is often an overuse injury. It’s common among athletes and runners and those who jump or squat, such as basketball players and weight lifters. 

If your job involves a lot of squatting or kneeling, you’re also at risk of runner’s knee. 

A biomechanical issue could also lead to this type of knee pain. If your knees “knock” together or you’re pigeon-toed, you’re also more susceptible to patellofemoral pain. 

Why does your knee hurt when you’re in a sitting position if you have runner’s knee? It’s because sitting still for a long time exerts extra pressure on your kneecap. 

Poor ergonomics

If you sit at a computer for long periods and feel knee pain, it could be due to your sitting posture. Your chair may be too low, placing your knees at an awkward angle. Make sure your thighs are parallel to the floor when you’re sitting. 

Your body is meant to move. Set a timer to get up and walk around every half hour. Stretch your quads and hamstring muscles. Prop your feet up part of the time on a covered stool. 

For unexplained knee pain and other musculoskeletal problems, call Alpine Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, or request an appointment through our online portal today. 

Our team is happy to answer any questions about knee pain and find a time in your schedule to come and see us for a consultation. Don’t wait to find the cause of your knee pain!