Yes, knee pain is common. But it's often preventable and treatable.

Few things are more dreaded among professional athletes than a knee injury. Despite their best efforts, many of them have experienced knee pain associated with injuries like ACL tears and had to undergo some form of knee surgery. Some of these athletes include pro golfer Tiger Woods, NFL quarterback Tom Brady, National Women's Soccer League winger Megan Rapinoe and NBA point guard Dwyane Wade – all somehow making knee pain feel a bit more relatable to the rest of us.

"Knee problems can affect all people throughout life," says Dr. Mike Holmstrom, an orthopedic surgeon at Intermountain Health in Salt Lake City.

Here's how knee injuries and conditions can lead to knee pain, plus how to treat issues as they arise.

Why does my knee hurt?

There are many causes of knee pain, and ligament injuries are high on the list. In fact, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are so common that an estimated one in 3,500 people experiences one annually. Medial meniscal tears are another common injury-related cause of knee pain. "The meniscus is a structure between the ends of the bones, and when it tears, it can cause catching and pain - much like a hangnail," says Holmstrom.

An even more prevalent source of knee troubles than one-time injuries is a degenerative joint disease known as knee osteoarthritis. "This is the most common cause of knee pain," says Dr. Matthew Anastasi, sports medicine specialist at Mayo Clinic. It's so common that he says most knee-related X-rays are taken to evaluate the integrity of the space between knee bones since any narrowing between them is evidence of osteoarthritis occurring.

When cartilage wears down, the structures in our knee don't function as well as they should, resulting in pain, "and pain is really just the body's way of drawing attention to a problem in a specific region," says Holmstrom.

Knee osteoarthritis is usually associated with aging, "as odds of developing it go up over time and reach close to 50% for those 70 years of age or older," says Dr. Loren Fishman, a professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Columbia University. Being overweight can play a significant role in cartilage wearing down as well. "Every pound that we put on equates to an additional five to seven pounds of pressure on our knees," Anastasi explains.

Other factors can also contribute to knee pain. "Tendinitis is another big one and something we typically see in people who are doing repetitive activities, such as CrossFit, running and hiking," says Anastasi. "And people who have a history of a prior injury or surgery are also at higher risk or developing knee issues in the future."

More details: Arthritis is common, especially among seniors. Here's what causes it.

How is knee pain prevented?

The good news is that knee injuries or conditions and associated knee pain are often preventable. Strengthening the surrounding muscles through targeted exercises can be helpful. Wearing proper footwear that provides enough arch support and cushioning also matters. Being mindful of surroundings can prevent falls and associated injuries, and maintaining good posture can further reduce knee strain.

"It's also important to keep your weight under good control as that significantly lessens the unnecessary stress on the knee joint," advises Anastasi. And he says that when starting a new exercise routine or sport, "we recommend easing into that particular activity as opposed to jumping in right away for several hours per day every day."

It's also wise to pay attention to anything that feels amiss to prevent a small injury from becoming a big one. "When you have knee pain, the first thing you should do is take it easy with that leg," advises Fishman. "Think about when the pain started and try to figure out what caused it, then approach that activity in the future with caution or stay away from it entirely."

Noted: ACL-related injuries are very common. Here's what causes them, plus how to avoid them.

How is knee pain treated?

Despite your best efforts, knee injuries and conditions can still occur and cause associated knee pain. When that pain occurs, Holmstrom says basic treatments such as compression with a knee sleeve, elevation and applying ice and heat are all proven to help reduce inflammation.

"But if there is a major injury or you can't put any weight on the knee, you should be evaluated to make sure something more serious isn't going on," he advises. A specialist can properly diagnose the problem and prescribe appropriate treatments such as physical therapy, pharmacological interventions or surgery.

Sometimes over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen are also recommended to help with painful flare-ups, "but we advise against taking them on a regular basis," says Anastasi, "as doing so can have detrimental side effects on one’s overall health."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why does my knee hurt?