Knee Pain – Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
Knee pain can have many causes – from overload and muscle imbalance to meniscus and ligament injuries or wear of the joint. A proper assessment shows where the pain comes from and what treatment you need.
Why the knee hurts
The knee is the largest joint in the body and takes our weight with every step, squat and jump. Its stability depends not only on ligaments and menisci but also on the strength of the thigh and hip muscles. When these muscles are weak or work unevenly, the joint becomes overloaded.
The location of the pain hints at the cause: pain at the front, around and under the kneecap, is typical of patellofemoral pain (known as “runner’s knee”); pain on the inner or outer side is often linked to the meniscus or ligaments; stiffness and pain on loading in older people can be a sign of osteoarthritis.
Most overload-related knee pain responds well to physiotherapy, properly dosed loading and muscle strengthening. The earlier you start, the easier it is to stop it becoming a chronic problem.
Common causes
- overload from running, jumping or sudden increases in training
- weak thigh and hip muscles
- injury – a sprain, or a meniscus or ligament tear
- osteoarthritis (wear of the joint)
- excess weight
- unsuitable shoes or altered foot mechanics
How it feels
- pain when walking, squatting or climbing stairs
- stiffness after sitting or in the morning
- swelling around the joint
- clicking, catching or a feeling of instability
- pain when kneeling
- limited bending or straightening of the knee
How we can help
We start with a thorough assessment of your knee, hips and the way you walk and move, to find the cause and not just the site of the pain. We combine manual therapy, strengthening and stability exercises and physiotherapy equipment to ease pain and inflammation, and kinesiology taping where needed. We also build a plan for a safe return to sport and daily life.
When to seek urgent medical help
See a doctor urgently for sudden swelling after an injury, being unable to put weight on the leg, visible deformity, a red, hot joint with a high temperature, or swelling and pain in one calf.
This page is for information only and does not replace an assessment by a specialist.