Knee pain is a common problem that can affect people of all ages. It may develop gradually, appear after an injury, or come and go depending on your activity levels.
While some knee pain settles with rest and time, persistent or recurring symptoms can make everyday activities such as walking, climbing stairs, exercising or getting up from a chair difficult.
The good news is that many causes of knee pain can be effectively managed with physiotherapy, particularly when the underlying factors contributing to your symptoms are identified.
What causes knee pain?
Knee pain can have many different causes. Understanding what may be contributing to your symptoms is an important first step towards finding the right treatment.
1. Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is one of the most common causes of knee pain, particularly as we get older. It occurs when the tissues within the joint change over time and can cause pain, stiffness and reduced movement.
Despite often being described as “wear and tear”, osteoarthritis is more complex than simply the joint wearing out. Physiotherapy can help you maintain movement and strength around the knee, improve confidence with activity and develop an exercise programme that is appropriate for your symptoms.
2. Sports and exercise injuries
Knee pain can occur following activities such as running, football, tennis, cycling or gym-based exercise. Injuries can affect structures including muscles, tendons and ligaments, with symptoms ranging from a mild ache to significant pain and swelling.
A physiotherapist can assess how the injury happened, examine the knee and surrounding areas, and help you understand what activities you can safely continue while you recover.
3. Patellofemoral pain
Pain around or behind the kneecap is often referred to as patellofemoral pain. It can be particularly noticeable when running, squatting, climbing stairs or sitting for prolonged periods.
The problem may be influenced by several factors, including changes in activity, muscle strength, movement patterns and training load. Physiotherapy can help identify which factors may be contributing to your symptoms and develop a progressive rehabilitation programme.
4. Tendon problems
Tendons connect muscles to bones and can become painful when they are exposed to more load than they are currently able to tolerate. Patellar tendon pain, for example, is common in people involved in jumping and running activities.
Treatment often involves gradually building the tendon’s capacity through appropriate strengthening rather than simply avoiding activity altogether.
5. Meniscal injuries
The menisci are pieces of cartilage within the knee that help with load distribution and movement. They can become injured following a twisting injury or develop changes over time. Symptoms may include pain, swelling, stiffness or difficulty with certain movements.
Physiotherapy can help determine how your symptoms are affecting your function and guide rehabilitation. Where further investigation is appropriate, your physiotherapist can also advise you about the next steps.
6. Muscle weakness or reduced mobility
Sometimes knee pain isn’t solely about the knee itself. The strength and mobility of the muscles and joints around the hip, ankle and knee can influence how you move and how much load is placed on different structures.
A physiotherapy assessment looks beyond the painful area to understand how your whole movement system is working.
7. Doing too much, too soon
A sudden increase in activity can also lead to knee pain. This might happen when you start running, return to the gym, increase your walking distance or suddenly increase the intensity of your training.
Your body needs time to adapt to changes in load. A physiotherapist can help you manage your activity levels and build back towards your goals progressively.
How can physiotherapy help knee pain?
Physiotherapy isn’t simply about treating the painful area. The aim is to understand why your knee is painful and what is preventing you from getting back to the activities you want to do. Your physiotherapy assessment may include:
- Discussing your symptoms, lifestyle and goals
- Understanding how your pain started and what makes it better or worse
- Assessing your knee movement
- Looking at muscle strength and control
- Assessing movement patterns
- Considering your hip, ankle and surrounding joints
- Identifying factors such as training load or activity levels
- Developing a personalised treatment and rehabilitation plan
Depending on your individual needs, treatment may include exercise therapy, advice and education, hands-on treatment and a structured programme to gradually rebuild strength and confidence.
Do I need to stop exercising if my knee hurts?
Not necessarily.
In many cases, completely stopping activity isn’t the best long-term solution. Instead, the type, intensity or amount of activity may need to be temporarily modified while your knee recovers.
Your physiotherapist can help you understand how to manage your symptoms while continuing appropriate movement and gradually returning to your normal activities.
When should you see a physiotherapist?
Consider seeking professional advice if your knee pain:
- Hasn’t improved after a reasonable period of self-management
- Keeps coming back
- Is affecting your walking, work, sleep or exercise
- Is stopping you from doing activities you enjoy
- Developed after an injury
- Is associated with increasing stiffness or weakness
- Is affecting your confidence in using your knee
Seek urgent medical advice following a significant injury, particularly if you cannot put weight through the leg, the knee has become severely swollen or deformed, or you have other concerning symptoms.
Your knee pain isn’t necessarily something you just have to live with
Whether your knee pain has developed through an injury, changes in activity, osteoarthritis or another cause, getting the right assessment can help you understand what is happening and what you can do about it.
At Randell’s Healthcare, our physiotherapists take the time to understand your symptoms, assess how you move and create an individual treatment and rehabilitation plan designed around your goals.
If knee pain is stopping you from doing the things you enjoy, physiotherapy could be a useful place to start.
