Skip to main content
Musculoskeletal Symptom

Knee pain

Knee pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal complaints, affecting people across all ages and activity levels. From runner's knee and ligament injuries to osteoarthritis and patellar tendinopathy, most knee pain responds well to physiotherapy, exercise and appropriate manual therapy.

What is Knee pain?

The knee involves three bones (femur, tibia, patella), two menisci, four main ligaments, and multiple tendons and bursae — any of which can be a source of pain. Common presentations include: patellofemoral pain syndrome (runner's knee); patellar tendinopathy; IT band syndrome; osteoarthritis; ligament injuries (ACL, MCL); and meniscal injuries.

Signs and symptoms

Knee pain symptoms vary by cause:

  • Pain location — front, inner, outer or back of the knee helps identify the structure involved
  • Activity-related pain — specific activities that reproduce pain indicate loading the structure cannot tolerate
  • Swelling — immediate post-injury swelling suggests structural damage; delayed or mild swelling suggests inflammation
  • Locking or giving way — suggests meniscal or ligamentous involvement
  • Stiffness — particularly in the morning or after sitting

How therapy can help

Most knee pain responds well to conservative management:

  • Physiotherapy — the mainstay of knee pain management; strengthening the quadriceps and hip abductors, addressing movement patterns and graded return to activity
  • Sports therapy and osteopathy — manual therapy for soft tissue and joint components
  • Acupuncture — evidence for pain relief in knee OA and tendinopathy
  • Massage therapy — for soft tissue components and muscle tension contributing to knee pain

Seeking help

A physiotherapist is the appropriate first contact for most knee pain. Imaging may be needed for significant trauma, suspected structural damage, or pain not responding as expected. For knee OA that has not responded to conservative management, orthopaedic referral is appropriate.

Therapies that may help with Knee pain

We don't currently have any therapies mapped to this condition.

Frequently asked questions

Should I rest or exercise with knee pain?

For most knee conditions, appropriate exercise is more beneficial than rest. Quadriceps weakness is a major contributor to many knee pain presentations, and strengthening exercises often produce significant improvement. A physiotherapist can guide activity appropriate to your condition.

What is runner's knee?

Runner's knee (patellofemoral pain syndrome) refers to pain around or behind the kneecap, typically provoked by running, squatting or stairs. It is extremely common in runners and is usually caused by muscle imbalances, training load and biomechanical factors. It responds well to physiotherapy.

Can knee pain be caused by problems elsewhere?

Yes — hip weakness and ankle stiffness both commonly contribute to knee pain by altering load distribution. A good physiotherapy assessment considers the whole lower limb rather than only the knee itself.

Does knee pain always mean arthritis?

No — knee pain has many causes across all ages. A physiotherapist or GP can help identify the cause through clinical assessment.

When does knee pain require surgery?

Surgery is considered for significant ligament tears, refractory meniscal symptoms, and severe OA that has not responded to conservative management. The majority of knee pain does not require surgery and responds well to physiotherapy and exercise.