Knee Pain
Get to the bottom of knee pain — from sports injuries to wear-and-tear — and rebuild the strength that protects the joint.
The knee absorbs enormous forces every single day, so pain here is common across every age group — from ligament and cartilage injuries in athletes to kneecap (patellofemoral) pain and osteoarthritis later in life. Getting the diagnosis right is essential, because the best treatment depends heavily on the cause.
Crucially, the knee rarely works in isolation. Weakness or stiffness at the hip and ankle changes how force passes through the knee, and is often the real reason it became painful. That's why we assess the whole leg, not just the sore joint.
Whether your goal is returning to sport, climbing stairs without pain, or simply walking comfortably, we offload the irritated structures and rebuild the strength and control that keep your knee healthy.
Common causes
- Patellofemoral (kneecap) pain from tracking and loading issues
- Ligament sprains or tears (such as ACL or MCL)
- Meniscus (cartilage) injuries
- Osteoarthritis and age-related wear
- Weak hip and thigh muscles altering knee loading
Signs & symptoms
- Pain with stairs, squatting, kneeling or sitting for long
- Swelling or a sense of the knee being puffy
- Clicking, catching, locking or giving way
- Aching during or after activity
- A feeling of instability or lack of trust in the knee
How we treat knee pain
A clear, step-by-step path from settling your symptoms to lasting recovery — tailored to you at every stage.
Whole-leg assessment
We test the knee alongside the hip and ankle, screen the ligaments and cartilage, and identify exactly what's driving and contributing to your pain.
Calm & protect
We manage swelling and pain, modify aggravating loads, and use manual therapy and taping to settle the joint early on.
Strength & control
A progressive program restores quad, hip and calf strength and the neuromuscular control that keeps the kneecap and joint tracking well.
Return to activity
We build you back to your specific goals — stairs, hiking, running or sport — with confidence and objective testing.
What to expect
Many knee problems, including kneecap pain and mild arthritis, respond very well to a structured strengthening program over several weeks to a few months. Strong evidence shows exercise is as effective as surgery for many common knee conditions.
For post-injury or post-surgical knees, we follow staged criteria — restoring movement, then strength, then power and sport-specific control — so you return safely and reduce the risk of re-injury.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about knee pain and how we treat it.
Do I need surgery for my knee?
Often not. For many conditions — including kneecap pain, mild meniscus tears and arthritis — guided exercise is as effective as surgery. We'll give you an honest assessment.
Is it ok to exercise with knee pain?
Usually yes, with the right kind and amount. Appropriately loaded exercise is one of the most effective treatments for knee pain.
Why does my knee hurt going down stairs?
Descending stairs heavily loads the kneecap, so it commonly provokes patellofemoral pain. Targeted strengthening typically resolves it.
Related conditions
View allYour recovery starts with one appointment
Book online in under two minutes, or call us and we'll find a time that works. Most extended health plans accepted with direct billing.
