KNEE PAIN
Our multidisciplinary team of highly skilled, fully qualified clinicians can help diagnose, manage & fix your knee pain
We have every non-surgical option for treating and assessing knee injuries, including diagnostic ultrasound scans, physiotherapy, chiropractors, sports massage, acupuncture, shockwave therapy & more!
THE ANATOMY
The knee is a complex, weight-bearing joint designed to provide stability while allowing bending, straightening, and rotational movement.
It is formed by the interaction of the femur (thigh bone), tibia (shin bone), and patella (kneecap), supported by cartilage, ligaments, tendons, muscles, bursae, and surrounding soft tissues.
Because the knee absorbs significant forces during daily activities such as walking, stairs, running, and squatting, it is particularly susceptible to overload, poor biomechanics, and injury. Pain can arise when any of these structures become irritated, inflamed, or unable to tolerate load effectively.
WHAT CAUSES KNEE PAIN?
1. Tendon & Soft Tissue Pathology
Patellar tendinopathy, quadriceps tendinopathy, pes anserine irritation, and iliotibial band (ITB) friction are common causes of knee pain, particularly in active individuals. These conditions often worsen with load and repetitive activity.
2. Joint & Cartilage-Related Issues
Patellofemoral pain, cartilage wear, meniscal irritation, and early degenerative changes can cause pain, swelling, stiffness, and reduced movement — especially with stairs, squatting, or prolonged sitting.
3. Movement Dysfunction & Biomechanical Imbalance
Poor hip control, reduced ankle mobility, muscle weakness, altered walking or running mechanics, and postural issues can all increase stress on the knee. Without addressing these factors, knee pain often becomes persistent or recurrent.
MY KNEE HURTS WHEN..
Everyday Activities That Can Trigger Knee Pain
Knee pain doesn’t just affect athletes — it often develops during everyday activities. Common triggers include:
For Active Individuals:
Running or jogging, especially downhill or on hard surfaces
Gym exercises, such as squats, lunges, leg press, or jumping movements
Sudden increases in training load or intensity
Sports involving twisting or pivoting, such as football, netball, or skiing
Kneeling, particularly on hard surfaces
For Less Active or Sedentary Individuals:
Walking up or down stairs
Getting up from a chair or toilet
Prolonged sitting, followed by stiffness and pain on standing
Standing for long periods
Kneeling or squatting during household tasks
Carrying children or heavy shopping bags
Pain during these activities is often a sign that knee structures are being overloaded or not functioning optimally.
BOOK AN ASSESSMENT & TREATMENT OR YOUR KNEE PAIN NOW AT SARISBURY OR WEST END
COMMON KNEE DIAGNOSES WE CAN HELP WITH
Common Knee Issues We Treat
Knee pain can present in many different ways, and accurate diagnosis is key to effective treatment. Some of the most common knee conditions we assess and manage include:
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (Anterior Knee Pain)
Often felt around or behind the kneecap at the front of the knee, this condition commonly worsens with stairs, squatting, running, or prolonged sitting. It is frequently related to movement mechanics, muscle imbalance, and load tolerance rather than structural damage.
Patellar Tendinopathy (Jumper’s Knee)
Pain located at the front of the knee, typically just below the kneecap. This is common in running and jumping sports and often responds well to progressive loading programmes and, in persistent cases, shockwave therapy.
Quadriceps Tendinopathy
Pain above the kneecap at the quadriceps tendon insertion, often aggravated by stairs, squatting, or gym-based lower limb exercises.
Meniscal Irritation or Tears
May present with joint line pain, swelling, clicking, or a sensation of catching or locking. Not all meniscal tears require surgery, and many respond well to conservative management.
Knee Osteoarthritis
Degenerative changes within the knee joint can cause stiffness, swelling, and activity-related pain. Management focuses on improving strength, mobility, and load tolerance rather than rest alone.
Iliotibial Band (ITB) Syndrome/Runner’s Knee
Common in runners and cyclists, causing pain on the outer aspect of the knee, particularly with repetitive knee bending.
Pes Anserine Bursitis or Tendinopathy
Pain on the inner side of the knee, often aggravated by stairs, kneeling, or prolonged walking.
Ligament Sprains (MCL, LCL, ACL, PCL)
Injuries to knee ligaments can occur following trauma or twisting movements and vary widely in severity. Accurate assessment is essential to guide safe rehabilitation.
Paediatric & Adolescent Knee Conditions
Including growth-related conditions such as traction apophysitis (osgood-schlatters or Sinding’s Larsen Johanssen), overuse injuries, and sport-related knee pain in young athletes. Early diagnosis and load management are crucial to prevent long-term issues.
We use a combination of clinical assessment with a Physiotherapist or Chiropractor, MSK diagnostic ultrasound where indicated, and functional movement analysis to identify the specific cause of your knee pain and tailor treatment accordingly.
OUR APPROACH TO KNEE PAIN
Knee pain responds best to a multimodal, multidisciplinary approach that addresses both symptoms and underlying causes. We can even assess structures that cause knee pain via non-invasive, radiation-free MSK Ultrasound scans:
Physiotherapy to restore movement, strength, load tolerance, and function
Chiropractic care to optimise knee, hip, pelvic, and spinal biomechanics
Massage therapy to address muscle tension, trigger points, and soft tissue restriction
Acupuncture to assist with pain relief, inflammation modulation, and neuromuscular control
Clinical Pilates to improve lower limb alignment, control, and movement efficiency
Shockwave therapy for persistent tendon-related knee pain (such as patellar tendinopathy). Shockwave stimulates tissue healing, increases blood flow, and promotes tendon regeneration when symptoms have become chronic or plateaued with other care
This integrated approach improves outcomes and reduces recurrence.
WHERE DO I START TO GET MY KNEE BETTER?
Our team takes a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to knee pain management. We combine detailed clinical assessment, MSK diagnostic ultrasound, hands-on treatment, targeted rehabilitation, and education to identify and address the root cause of your pain.
Rather than simply managing symptoms, we focus on restoring strength, improving movement, and building long-term knee resilience, helping you return confidently to work, sport, gym, walking, running and everyday life.
We normally suggest either starting with a Physiotherapy consultation or a diagnostic ultrasound scan to come up with your individualised, tailored treatment plan.
We offer MSK Diagnostic Ultrasound to support a thorough and accurate diagnosis of knee conditions. Ultrasound allows real-time assessment of tendons, ligaments, muscles, bursae, and joint effusions, helping guide appropriate treatment.
Common indications for knee ultrasound include:
Suspected patellar or quadriceps tendinopathy or tears
Bursitis or soft tissue swelling
Ligament sprains
Joint effusion or synovial thickening
Pain following trauma or overuse
Monitoring tendon healing and response to treatment
Paediatric Knee Ultrasound Indications
Ultrasound is particularly valuable in children and adolescents as it is safe, radiation-free, and dynamic. Indications may include:
Anterior knee pain related to growth (e.g. traction apophysitis)
Suspected tendon or soft tissue injury
Swelling or pain around the tibial tuberosity
Assessment of effusions or inflammatory conditions
Monitoring overuse injuries in young athletes
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