For many non-emergency knee injuries, a physiotherapist is an appropriate first point of contact. However, significant trauma, deformity, an open wound, inability to bear weight or signs of infection may need medical assessment first.
For a broader overview, see our knee pain and injury guide.
Some knee injuries need medical assessment before routine physiotherapy. The level of urgency depends on how the injury happened, your symptoms and your general health.
Arrange an appropriate clinical assessment if you:
Depending on the presentation, assessment may begin with a physiotherapist, GP or another appropriate medical service. If the injury appears severe or unusual, medical assessment is the safer first step.
A physiotherapist is often an appropriate first contact when knee pain follows a twist, awkward landing, sporting activity, training change or gradual overload without urgent warning signs.
A physiotherapy assessment can examine:
Movement and function
Walking, knee movement, swelling, strength, joint control and activities that reproduce your symptoms.
Likely injury pattern
Your injury mechanism and examination findings can help identify which structures may be contributing to your symptoms.
Early management
Advice may cover activity, loading, exercise, pain and swelling management, and support such as taping, bracing or crutches when appropriate.
Need for further review
If your findings warrant medical review, imaging or specialist input, your physiotherapist can guide the next step.
Learn more about knee treatment and physiotherapy.
Use the severity of the injury and your symptoms to guide your first appointment rather than trying to diagnose the injured structure yourself.
Major trauma or warning signs
Seek medical care first for significant trauma, deformity, an open wound, inability to weight-bear, severe uncontrolled pain or possible infection.
Twist, landing or sporting injury
Physiotherapy may be an appropriate first contact when there are no urgent warning signs. Rapid swelling, instability, locking or major loss of movement needs prompt assessment.
Gradual knee pain
Physiotherapy is often a suitable starting point for pain associated with stairs, running, squatting, kneeling or changes in training load.
Not sure?
A clinical assessment can help identify the likely injury pattern and whether medical review or further investigation is appropriate.
No. You do not need a GP referral to book a private physiotherapy appointment for a knee injury.
Referral requirements can differ for funded care, specialist appointments and some investigations. Your physiotherapist can advise if another healthcare professional should become involved.
Not every knee injury needs imaging. Clinical assessment is often the first step. How the injury happened, your ability to bear weight, swelling, movement and examination findings can help determine whether imaging is likely to add useful information.
An X-ray may be considered when a fracture or other bony injury is suspected. MRI may be considered when a significant internal knee injury is suspected, the diagnosis remains unclear or symptoms are not progressing as expected.
For more detail, read How Do I Know If I Need an MRI on My Knee?
Knee symptoms can come from ligaments, menisci, tendons, the kneecap joint, muscles and other structures. Different injuries can produce similar symptoms, so assessment is more useful than relying on symptoms alone.
Not sure what you may have injured? Read How Do I Know What Type of Knee Injury I Have?
Seek medical care first for significant trauma, deformity, an open wound, inability to weight-bear, severe uncontrolled pain or signs of infection. For many non-emergency knee injuries related to movement, sport or gradual overload, a physiotherapist is often an appropriate first contact.
Seek urgent medical assessment if your knee looks deformed after significant trauma, you have an open or deep wound, you cannot put weight through the leg after a significant injury, or your knee is red, hot and swollen with fever or feeling unwell. Severe or rapidly worsening symptoms also warrant medical assessment.
A physiotherapist can assess and diagnose many common musculoskeletal knee injuries. If the findings suggest a problem requiring medical assessment, imaging or specialist input, your physiotherapist can guide the appropriate next step.
Most knee injuries do not require an MRI before physiotherapy assessment. MRI may be considered when a significant internal knee injury is suspected, the diagnosis remains unclear or symptoms are not progressing as expected.
Yes. You can book a private physiotherapy appointment without a GP referral. Referral requirements can differ for funded care, specialist appointments and some investigations.
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