Knee pain can occur in conjunction with pain from other joints. For example, many hip problems cause knee pain when weight or stress from one joint (the hip) is shifted to the next joint (the knee) by connecting muscles and bones. Other types of leg pain can also cause knee pain.

Ankle and foot pain may also be felt in the knees. Problems related to flat feet or overpronated feet (feet that roll inward) can cause gait disturbances and knee pain. In addition, pain in the right foot, for example, may cause a person to favor that foot and the resulting overcompensation may cause pain in the left knee.

The knees may also be the recipient of referred pain, which originates in one area of the body but is perceived in another area. Some knee pain may be referred from the spine, back and sacroiliac areas.  Even a herniated disc sometimes can cause knee pain.