Pain on the Outside of Knee After Total Knee Replacement

Experiencing pain on the outside of knee is common among individuals who have had a total knee replacement. 

1. Fibular Head (Outside of Knee)

The long skinny bone that runs along the outside of your lower leg is called the Fibula. This bone is not directly involved during your total knee replacement, but when a patient is experiencing pain on the outside of knee, just below the joint-line I find that the fibular head is involved. [1]

The image below shows the fibular head and where it is located in relation to the knee.

I have had several patients experience clicking and pain associated with the fibular head after total knee replacement surgery.

2. New Alignment

Before knee replacement surgery, many patients will have less than optimal knee alignment. Some knees will have a varus deformity and others may have a valgus deformity. [2]

To read about knee alignment as a contributing factor to shin pain click here.

Varus Knee

If your knee was bowed out before surgery you will have increased compression on the lateral aspect of your knee replacement. This compression may increase pain on the outside of knee when you are walking, squatting, and performing other weight bearing exercises.

Valgus Kee

If your knee was bowed in before knee replacement surgery you will have increased tension on the outside of your knee. This may result in increasing pain while non-weight bearing on the knee. You might feel more pain at night in bed or while resting your leg.

3. IT Band Syndrome

The Iliotibial Band is a thick piece of connective tissue that runs from the hip to the outside of your knee. This band will sometimes become sensitized and be referred to as IT Band Syndrome. [3]

The most common treatment for IT Band Syndrome includes icing and self massage with a rolling pin.

Reference:

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fibula

2. https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/best-exercises-varus-knee#:~:text=Varus%20knee%2C%20also%20known%20as,knee%20is%20common%20in%20newborns.

3. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21967-iliotibial-band-syndrome