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Knee & Joint Pain
The knee carries your body weight with every step, so pain here changes how you move through the day. An assessment pinpoints which structure is involved and which options are most likely to help.
Understanding it
The knee is a hinge joint where the thigh bone (femur) meets the shin bone (tibia), with the kneecap (patella) gliding in front. Smooth cartilage covers the bone ends, two C-shaped cushions called menisci sit between them, and four main ligaments hold it stable.
Pain can come from any of these structures, or from the muscles and tendons around them. Where the pain is, what triggers it and how it started all help a specialist narrow down the cause.
Reasons people seek an assessment
- Pain on stairs, squatting or getting up from a chair
- Swelling after a twist or without an obvious injury
- The knee locking, catching or giving way
- Stiffness, especially in the morning or after sitting
- Pain that has lasted several weeks or is getting worse
Only an examination can tell what's causing your symptoms.
How it's assessed
Your history
When it started, what makes it better or worse, and how it affects daily life.
Examination
Movement, stability, swelling and tenderness, compared with the other knee.
Imaging, if needed
X-rays show bone and joint space. MRI shows soft tissues such as menisci and ligaments.
Your options explained
What the findings mean and the choices available, starting with the least invasive.
Treatment options a specialist may discuss
Options are usually considered from the least invasive upwards. Not every option suits every person, and a real clinic lists only what it offers.
Activity changes
Adjusting how much and how you load the knee while it settles.
Physiotherapy-led exercise
Strengthening the muscles that support the knee. This is central for most knee problems.
Weight management
Reducing load on the joint, where relevant.
Pain relief guidance
Medicines used safely and for the right length of time.
Braces or supports
Sometimes useful for stability or during recovery.
Injections
Considered for selected conditions, with benefits and limits explained.
Surgery
Such as keyhole (arthroscopic) procedures or joint replacement, for specific problems when other treatment hasn't helped.
Recovery and rehabilitation
- Most plans include a home exercise programme, built up gradually
- Progress is measured by what you can do, not just by pain
- Returning to sport or heavy work is staged and agreed in advance
Seek urgent care. Seek emergency care after a significant injury if the knee is visibly deformed, you cannot put any weight on it, or it becomes hot, red and very swollen with a fever. Call 112 in an emergency.
What to bring
- Previous X-ray or MRI images and reports
- Shorts or loose trousers so the knee can be examined
- Notes on when it started and what makes it worse
Bring these to the consultation rather than sending them online. Full checklist
Questions people ask
Do I need an MRI straight away?
Not usually. Many knee problems can be assessed with a history and examination, sometimes with an X-ray. MRI is helpful when the result would change the treatment plan.
Is surgery likely?
Most knee pain is managed without surgery. When surgery is an option, the specialist explains why, what it involves and what recovery looks like, so you can decide.
Should I rest completely?
Complete rest is rarely best. Staying active within comfortable limits usually helps. Your specialist or physiotherapist can advise what's right for your knee.
Can you help with other joints?
Yes, the same approach applies to other large joints such as the hip and shoulder. A real clinic would list the joints its specialists treat.
Have a question that isn't answered here?
Clinical review pending
Before publication, a treating specialist at the clinic reviews this guide. Their name, registration number and the review date appear here. General information for patients, not a diagnosis or personal advice.
Questions about knee and joint pain?
Request a consultation. The specialist will assess you, explain what they find and talk through the options with you.