Knee Pain

Knee Pain & Injury

John Miller Physiotherapist

Article by John Miller

What is Causing Your Knee Pain?

Knee pain or knee injuries are widespread, and there are many causes. It is crucial to make an accurate diagnosis of the reason from a thorough assessment. It would be best if you directed appropriate treatment at the origin. Knee pain can arise from soft tissue injuries (e.g. ligament sprains and muscle strains), bone conditions (e.g. osteoarthritis, Osgood Schlatters Disease) and biomechanical dysfunction (e.g. Patellofemoral syndrome). Your sciatic nerve can even refer to your knee.

Knee pain has many causes, and treatment varies considerably depending on the diagnosis. Treatment may involve simple knee mobilisation techniques, massage, taping, stretches or strengthening exercises. Thorough rehabilitation protocols post-knee reconstruction or knee replacement surgeries provide excellent outcomes.

How Do You Know if Your Knee Injury is Serious?

While it is always best to seek the professional advice of a highly skilled practitioner trained in knee injuries, such as your doctor or physiotherapist, here are seven signs that could indicate a severe knee injury.

  1. Obvious deformity. You may have a fracture or dislocation.
  2. You heard a “pop” or “snap”.
  3. You’ve experienced swelling.
  4. Greater than normal movement
  5. Less than usual movement, e.g. can’t straighten
  6. You are unable to weight-bear on your leg
  7. Your knee “gives way” or “buckles”.
knee pain
Knee Pain

What is the Best Exercise for Knee Pain?

It may seem a little contradictory, but researchers have identified that knee exercises may assist in the relief of your knee pain. The vital thing to determine is which knee exercises are likely to help you, which could be harmful.

What exercise dosage you should be doing is also important. Your exercise dosage will vary depending upon your specific diagnosis, injury phase, and other individual health factors. Your physiotherapist’s professional training will guide you quickly back to pain-free knees.

While we’d like to say that all knee exercises are beneficial to you, there are significant individual differences between all patients who present with knee pain. For example, an older diabetic or overweight patient will require a very different set of knee exercises from a young high-performance athlete or a patient who has just had knee surgery.

Based on the significant individual differences between patients with knee pain, your knee treatment can differ from someone else with a similar issue. Seek the professional advice of your trusted physiotherapist or healthcare practitioner who has a particular interest in knee pain and injuries to guide your knee rehabilitation.


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  3. Knee Ligament Injury – Physiotherapist Guide & Tips – Explains different types of knee ligament injuries and offers professional advice on treatment and prevention.
  4. Meniscus Tear – Provides detailed information on meniscus tears, including diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation.
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  9. Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) Offers a detailed guide on PFPS, including causes, symptoms, and treatment strategies.
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Knee Pain Causes

A Comprehensive Guide

Knee pain is often a symptom of underlying issues ranging from acute injuries to systemic health conditions. Identifying knee pain causes is essential for effective treatment. This guide offers an overview of potential culprits, providing a pathway to understanding and addressing your knee discomfort.

Knee Pain Causes
Knee Pain Causes

Knee Ligament Injuries

Ligament injuries, such as ACL and PCL tears, are significant knee pain causes. They can lead to instability and severe discomfort, requiring prompt medical evaluation.

ACL Injuries

An ACL injury is a common sports-related knee injury that can lead to long-term knee pain and require surgical intervention.

Knee Meniscus Injuries

Meniscus tears, often caused by twisting or turning quickly, are prevalent knee pain causes, with treatment options varying based on severity.

Kneecap Pain

Pain in the kneecap can arise from various conditions, affecting your ability to engage in daily activities comfortably.

Knee Arthritis

Arthritis is a leading cause of knee pain, particularly in older adults, with symptoms that can significantly impair quality of life.

Knee Tendon Injuries

Tendon injuries can result from overuse or sudden, high-impact activities, contributing to ongoing knee pain.

Muscle Injuries

Muscle strains and related conditions are common knee pain causes, especially among athletes and active individuals.

Knee Bursitis

Inflammation of the bursae can cause significant knee pain, often requiring targeted treatment to reduce symptoms.

Children’s Knee Conditions

Young athletes can experience specific knee conditions related to growth and activity levels.

Other Knee-Related Conditions

Various other conditions can lead to knee pain, necessitating a broad understanding of potential knee pain causes.

Knee Surgery

In some cases, surgical intervention may be the best option to address certain knee pain causes effectively.

Seek Professional Advice

For tailored information regarding your knee pain, consult a healthcare professional with experience in knee conditions, such as a knee physiotherapist, sports physician or knee surgeon. They can provide a personalised assessment and treatment plan to address your specific needs.

Knee Pain Products & FAQs

A variety of products can support knee pain management. Browse our selection and read our FAQs to learn more about how to alleviate knee discomfort. More info: Knee Pain Products & FAQs

With this guide, you’re better equipped to understand the various knee pain causes and take the first step towards recovery. Remember, early intervention by a skilled physiotherapist can significantly improve your outcomes and assist in returning you to a pain-free, active lifestyle.

Knee Pain FAQs

Knee pain is a widespread issue, impacting individuals of varying ages and lifestyles. Causes range from injuries and wear and tear to conditions like arthritis. This FAQ section aims to provide insights into knee pain, covering diagnosis, ligament issues, ACL injuries, meniscal injuries, age and arthritis concerns, and pain relief methods through exercise and treatment.

Feel free to click on the questions to for deeper discussions into each topic.

knee pain faqs
Knee Pain Faqs

Diagnosis Related

How Can I Determine If My Knee Injury Is Serious?

  • Learn to assess the severity of your knee injury based on symptoms and situations.

How Can I Identify The Type Of Knee Injury I Have?

  • Discover how different knee injuries manifest and what signs to look for.

When Should I Seek a Physiotherapist or Doctor for My Knee Injury?

  • Find out the right time to consult professionals for your knee concerns.

Is Knee Clicking a Sign of a Serious Condition?

  • Understand what knee clicking indicates about your joint health.

When Should I Consider Getting a MRI for My Knee?

  • Learn about the circumstances when an MRI becomes necessary.

Why Has My Knee Suddenly Started Hurting?

  • Explore potential reasons behind sudden knee pain.

Why Does My Knee Hurt On The Inner Side?

  • Identify causes of inner knee pain and when to seek help.

Knee Ligament Related

What Are The Common Symptoms of a Torn Ligament in the Knee?

  • Recognise the signs of a torn knee ligament.

Can I Walk With A Torn Ligament In My Knee?

  • Understand the feasibility and risks of walking with a torn ligament.

ACL Related

What are the Consequences of Not Getting Surgery for an ACL Injury?

  • Learn about the long-term effects of untreated ACL injuries.

What Are The Symptoms Of An ACL Tear?

  • Identify the key signs of an ACL tear.

Meniscus Related

Is Surgery Necessary for a Meniscal Injury?

  • Discover when surgery is essential for meniscal injuries.

Can a Torn Meniscus Heal Without Surgery?

  • Find out if meniscal tears can heal naturally.

Age & Arthritis Related

At What Age Do Knee Problems Typically Begin?

  • Learn about the onset age for common knee problems.

What are the Common Symptoms of Arthritis in the Knee?

  • Identify arthritis symptoms in the knee.

Running Related

What are Some Ways that Runners Can Reduce Knee Stress?

  • Explore methods for runners to minimise knee stress.

Knee Treatment & Exercise Related

Is Walking Good For Knee Pain?

  • Understand the benefits of walking for knee pain.

What are Some Effective Ways to Relieve Knee Pain?

  • Discover various methods to alleviate knee pain.

How Much Walking is Recommended for Individuals with Knee Pain?

  • Learn the ideal walking duration for those with knee pain.

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