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Causes of Knee Pain Thanks to knee replacement surgery,
you can lead an active life again! As one of the body's principal weight-bearing joints, the knee is under constant strain and can be damaged by excessive or unexpected force. Over time, the cushion of cartilage can crack and wear away, eventually allowing the bones to rub together. The resulting inflammation can cause the knee's synovial membrane to produce an excess amount of synovial fluid in an attempt to protect the knee, creating swelling, stiffness, tenderness and chronic pain. Below are some of the most common causes of knee pain and wear: 
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a common degenerative condition in which the cartilage that normally cushions the bones of a joint begins to wear down, allowing the bones to rub together. Symptoms include pain, swelling and deformity, all of which can contribute to loss of motion. You may also suffer from irregular bone growths, called spurs, which cause pain with even slight movements of the knee. Although osteoarthritis can affect any joint, the disease typically settles in the knee, hip, neck, back and fingers. Osteoarthritis is a leading cause of knee replacements.
Reva's corner:
Within six weeks, most patients are able to return to their previous activities and are wondering why they waited so long to be able to return to their active lives again. Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the the layer of connective tissue that lines joint cavities (called the synovial membrane), causing it to swell or become inflamed. The membrane's response is to produce too much lubricating synovial fluid, which can actually damage the joint's articular cartilage. The result is chronic pain and stiffness. The disease can also inflame tissues around tendons, ligaments and muscles. Traumatic Arthritis Arthritis can also be caused by trauma to the knee - generally a fracture or other severe injury. Often the knee fails to heal properly, placing extra stress on the joint. Over time, the articular cartilage is damaged, causing knee pain and stiffness. Next: Surgery 
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