Knee Pain: Symptoms, Causes & Physiotherapy Treatment

Knee pain is a common problem that can affect people of all ages and activity levels. It may develop after a sports or workplace injury, gradually from repetitive loading, or as a result of conditions affecting the knee joint.

Knee pain can make everyday activities such as walking, climbing stairs, squatting, running or getting up from a chair uncomfortable or difficult.

The right treatment depends on the cause of your knee pain,

your symptoms and your individual activity goals.

Common Symptoms of Knee Pain

Knee symptoms can vary depending on the underlying condition or injury. Common symptoms include:

Pain around the front, inside, outside or back of the knee
Swelling or stiffness
Pain when walking or climbing stairs
Pain during squatting, running or jumping
Reduced knee movement
Weakness or a feeling of instability
Clicking, popping or grinding sensations
Difficulty fully bending or straightening the knee

Clicking or other knee noises are common and do not necessarily indicate an injury, particularly when they occur without pain, swelling or loss of function.

What Causes Knee Pain?

There are many possible causes of knee pain. A physiotherapy assessment can help identify factors that may be contributing to your symptoms.

1. Sports & Knee Injuries

Sudden twisting, impact or changes in direction can injure structures around the knee.

Common knee injuries include:

ACL and other ligament injuries
Meniscus injuries
Muscle and tendon injuries
Patellar dislocation
Knee sprains
Fractures

2. Overuse & Activity-Related Knee Pain

Knee pain can sometimes develop after a sudden increase in running, sport, gym training, repetitive work or other physical activity.

Common conditions include patellofemoral pain, patellar tendinopathy and other load-related knee problems.

Training volume, muscle strength, recovery and movement patterns may all contribute.

3. Knee Osteoarthritis

Knee osteoarthritis is a common condition, particularly as we get older.

Symptoms can include pain, stiffness and reduced mobility. Staying active and improving the strength of the muscles around the knee can be an important part of managing knee osteoarthritis.

4. Other Causes of Knee Pain

Knee pain may also be associated with bursitis,

inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis

or gout, or pain referred from another area.

For this reason, persistent knee pain

should be properly assessed rather than

assuming every knee problem has the same cause.

How Can Physiotherapy Help Knee Pain?

Physiotherapy for knee pain focuses on restoring movement, improving strength and helping you return to normal daily activities, work or sport.

Depending on your condition, physiotherapy treatment may include:

Individualized strengthening exercises
Knee mobility exercises
Hip and lower-limb strengthening
Balance and coordination exercises
Manual therapy
Activity and load management
Running or movement assessment
Advice for returning to sport or exercise
Home exercise and rehabilitation programs

Treatment should be based on your individual diagnosis, symptoms and goals.

Knee Strengthening & Rehabilitation

Exercise is an important part of rehabilitation for many knee conditions.

Your physiotherapist may prescribe exercises to strengthen the quadriceps, hamstrings, gluteal muscles and calf muscles, depending on your assessment.

For athletes and active patients, rehabilitation may progress to running, jumping, landing, changing direction and sport-specific exercises before returning to full activity.

The aim is not simply to reduce pain, but to help your knee become stronger and better prepared for the activities you want to return to.

Do I Need a Knee Brace or Support?

Knee braces, taping, orthotics or other supports may be helpful for some conditions, but they are not necessary for everyone.

A physiotherapist can assess whether additional support may be beneficial and, importantly, whether strengthening and rehabilitation should form part of your longer-term management.

When Should I Seek Medical Attention?

Seek prompt medical assessment if your knee pain follows a significant injury, you are unable to put weight through the leg, the knee appears significantly deformed, or you develop severe swelling.

A hot, significantly swollen knee, particularly when accompanied by fever or feeling unwell also requires prompt medical attention.

Knee Pain Physiotherapy in Castle Hill & Chatswood

Our physiotherapists provide assessment and rehabilitation for knee pain and knee injuries in Castle Hill and Chatswood.

We treat a range of knee problems, including sports injuries, ligament and meniscus injuries, patellofemoral pain, knee osteoarthritis, tendon problems and persistent knee pain.

Following your assessment, we can develop an individualized treatment and exercise program designed to improve your strength, mobility and function and help you safely return to everyday activities, work or sport.

Contact our Castle Hill or Chatswood physiotherapy clinic to book a knee pain assessment.