Knee pain is a common complaint that affects people of all ages. Knee pain may be the result of an injury, such as a ruptured ligament or torn cartilage. Medical conditions (including arthritis, gout and infections) can also cause knee pain. The symptoms associated with knee pain may include:
- Severe pain and inability to bear weight.
- Swelling around the knee joint.
- Inability to fully extend or flex the knee.
- Any obvious deformities of the knee or the leg.
- Fever along with symptoms like pain, redness and swelling around the knee joint
The location and intensity of knee pain varies depending on the structure involved and can vary from minor dull aching to severe pain. Some underlying conditions related to knee pain are:
- Osteoarthritis: inflammation or loss of cartilage in the joints caused due to wear and tear. Symptoms include pain and stiffness in the joints, swelling, warm and tender joints and limited movement of affected joints, worse in the morning or after prolonged sitting, with a creaking sound on moving.
- Iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS): an overuse injury of the connective tissue on the lateral or outer part of thigh and knee, often caused by repetitively bending the knee during running, cycling, swimming and climbing.
- Chondromalacia patella (CMP): inflammation of the underside of the kneecap and softening of the cartilage leading to pain and swelling.
- Runner’s knee: common term for conditions causing pain around the kneecap, including anterior knee pain syndrome, patellofemoral malalignment, chondromalacia patella and IT band syndrome.
- Bursitis: inflammation of a small fluid-filled sac (bursa) near the knee joint that reduces friction, causing pain and limiting mobility.
- Tendinitis: patellar tendinitis, also known as jumper’s knee, occurs due to overuse injury of the tendon that straightens the knee.
- Meniscal tear: damage or tear of the cartilage cushion between the femur and tibia during activities that put pressure on or rotate the knee joint.
- Ligament tear: the most common sports injury, most commonly involving the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), but also the PCL, MCL and lateral collateral ligament.
At Vivacare Advanced Physiotherapy and Pain Clinic, our physiotherapists will assess the cause of your condition and advise you with an individualized treatment plan. The clinic provides the following therapies to bring you quick and long term relief:
- IFT
- TENS
- Ultrasonic Therapy
- PEMF (Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy)
- Kinesiology Taping
- Heat and Cold Therapy
- Matrix Rhythm Therapy
- Manual Therapy
- Theraband Stretches
- Posture Therapy
To prevent recurrence of the pain you will be given a home exercise regime which will include strengthening and stretching exercises for the muscles around the knees.
When to See a Physiotherapist
Swelling, locking, instability ("giving way"), or pain that stops you from bearing weight are signs to get assessed promptly rather than self-managing — these can point to a mechanical issue that responds best to early, targeted treatment.
Prevention & Self-Care Tips
- Build quadriceps and glute strength to better support the knee joint.
- Maintain a healthy body weight to reduce joint load, especially if osteoarthritis runs in the family.
- Warm up properly and increase running/jumping load gradually rather than in big jumps.
- Wear supportive, appropriate footwear for your activity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to exercise with knee pain?
Usually yes — the right kind of movement often helps more than complete rest. Your physiotherapist will guide you toward exercises that strengthen the joint without aggravating it.
Do I need an X-ray or MRI before starting physiotherapy?
Not always. Many mechanical knee conditions can be assessed clinically first; imaging is recommended selectively if red-flag signs are present or progress stalls.
Is walking or cycling better for knee pain?
Cycling is often gentler on the joint since it’s low-impact, but the right choice depends on your specific diagnosis — your physiotherapist can advise which suits your knee best.
Can losing weight really reduce knee pain?
Yes — every extra kilogram adds multiplied load through the knee with each step, so even modest weight loss can meaningfully reduce pain and slow wear-related conditions.
When is knee replacement actually considered?
Typically only after conservative options — physiotherapy, weight management, activity modification, and sometimes injections — have been tried and severe structural wear significantly limits daily function.
