Condition guide
Knee Pain: Common Causes, Treatment and When to Worry
Knee pain is most often linked to how much load the knee is handling compared with what it is currently ready for, whether that is stairs, walking, running or kneeling. Physiotherapy treats it by finding which part of the knee is irritated, easing the aggravating activities for a while and rebuilding strength around the hip, thigh and calf so the knee copes better. Our HCPC-registered physiotherapists see knee pain at Blue Bell Hill, Monday to Saturday, 8am to 8pm, and you can book without a GP referral.
What is Knee Pain?
The most common presentation is patellofemoral pain, felt around or behind the kneecap, where load through the joint outpaces what the surrounding muscles are controlling. Other frequent presentations include tendon pain just below the kneecap, irritation on the outside of the knee in runners, and joint related pain where movement quality and strength matter more than the picture on a scan.
Typical Symptoms
- Pain at the front of the knee, worse on stairs, hills or squatting
- Ache after sitting for a long time, sometimes called cinema knee
- Pain that builds during or after a run rather than starting sharply
- Pain on the outside of the knee at a consistent point in a run
- Swelling, giving way or locking, which we always want to assess
Common Causes & Triggers
- A rapid increase in running volume, hill work or new footwear
- Hip, quadriceps or calf weakness changing how load passes through the knee
- Returning to sport after a long break at previous intensity
- Previous injury that never fully rehabilitated
- Joint changes with age, which respond better to strengthening than most people expect
How We Treat Knee Pain at Bluebell
- 1
Assessment of the knee plus the hip, ankle and how you actually move, because the knee is often the victim rather than the cause.
- 2
Load management advice so you can keep training in some form where possible.
- 3
Progressive strengthening of quadriceps, glutes and calf, tailored to your sport or daily demands.
- 4
Hands-on treatment and adjuncts where they help you tolerate the rehab.
- 5
A staged return to running or activity with clear progression rules.
Honest Recovery Timeline
Patellofemoral and tendon related knee pain typically responds over six to twelve weeks with consistent strength work, with early symptom improvement often sooner. Honest caveat: results depend heavily on doing the loading work, because there is no passive treatment that builds capacity for you.
When Knee Pain Needs Urgent Medical Attention (Not Physio)
- •Knee pain after significant trauma with immediate swelling, deformity or inability to weight bear, go to A and E.
- •A hot, swollen, red knee with fever or feeling unwell, urgent medical review, this can be infection.
- •Calf pain, swelling and warmth, especially after surgery, immobility or long travel, urgent review for possible clot.
- •A knee that repeatedly locks or gives way, get it assessed rather than pushing through.
Knee Pain — Common Questions
Is running bad for my knees?
The evidence does not support the idea that recreational running damages knees. Sudden jumps in training load, however, do cause problems, which is why we look at your progression.
Should I stop exercising completely?
Rarely necessary. We usually reduce or change the aggravating load while keeping you active, because full rest loses strength you will need.
Do I need a scan?
Not for most cases. Scans often show changes that are present in pain free knees too, so they are used when the assessment raises a specific question.
Will a knee support help?
A support can be a useful short term comfort measure for some people, but it is not a substitute for building strength.
I have been told I have wear and tear, is physio worth it?
Yes. Strengthening and load management are first line care for osteoarthritic knees and are often more effective than people expect.
When is knee pain an emergency?
Go to A and E if you cannot put weight on the leg after an injury, the knee looks deformed, or it becomes hot, red and swollen with fever. See a GP promptly if the knee locks and will not straighten or keeps giving way.
Should I stop exercising with knee pain?
Not always. Many people can keep some activity going with changes to how much and how often. A physiotherapist can help you find a level the knee tolerates.