At a glance
What it is
Knee pain from mechanical dysfunction (meniscal tear, ligament injury), osteoarthritis, or patellofemoral syndrome. Pain may be activity-related or constant.
Typical signs
Pain with stairs, squatting, or prolonged standing, swelling, stiffness (worse in morning or after rest), giving way or locking sensations.
How we treat it
Activity modification, physiotherapy, analgesia. Intra-articular corticosteroid or hyaluronic acid injection for arthritis. MRI if meniscal or ligament tear suspected. Surgery (arthroscopy, reconstruction) if conservative therapy fails.
What knee pain is
Knee pain is extremely common, affecting 25% of adults. Causes include osteoarthritis (the most common), meniscal tears, ligament injuries (ACL, MCL), and patellofemoral syndrome. Mechanical dysfunction from weak hip or quadriceps muscles is a frequent contributor.
What we see in clinic
25%
Of adults report knee pain
80%
With mild–moderate OA respond to physiotherapy and weight management
60–70%
Achieve pain relief and functional improvement after intra-articular injection
Key facts
How it is treated
Early intervention with physiotherapy and activity modification prevents progression. Intra-articular injections and surgery are reserved for refractory cases.
Activity modification
All patients
- Avoid high-impact activities (running, jumping) temporarily
- Maintain low-impact activities (walking, swimming, cycling)
- Weight loss (even 5% improves symptoms significantly)
Physiotherapy
First-line for all mechanical knee pain
- Quadriceps strengthening (crucial for patellar tracking)
- Hip abductor and external rotator strengthening
- Flexibility and gait retraining
Intra-articular injection
Osteoarthritis or post-injury inflammation
- Corticosteroid injection — fast-acting, lasts 6–12 weeks
- Hyaluronic acid injection — slower onset, may last 6–12 months
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection — emerging option for cartilage preservation
Surgery
Mechanical block or significant structural damage
- Arthroscopic meniscectomy for mechanical meniscal tears
- ACL reconstruction if giving-way episodes are disabling
- Osteotomy or arthroplasty for advanced osteoarthritis
Related reading
Back pain
Most back pain is mechanical and settles in weeks. The first visit identifies the few cases that need imaging, injections or surgery, without over-treating.
Frozen shoulder
Shoulder pain and stiffness that can lock the joint for months. Most cases resolve in 18–30 months; targeted treatment shortens recovery.
Book a consultation
The secretary schedules first appointments during clinic hours; please have prior imaging, operative notes and a current medication list available at the time of the call.
This page provides general information about knee pain and is not a substitute for individual medical assessment. If your symptoms are severe or worsening, contact a clinician promptly.