Why Does My Knee Hurt? Causes, Symptoms and Physiotherapy Treatment in Bicton

Knee pain is one of the most common conditions we treat at Apex Physiotherapy Bicton. It can affect runners, footballers, netball players, and people who simply notice pain during daily activities such as walking, stairs, or squatting.

The good news is that most knee pain is not serious and responds very well to physiotherapy once the cause is identified.

What is the Knee Joint?

The knee is a hinge joint formed between the thigh bone (femur) and shin bone (tibia). It allows bending and straightening of the leg while absorbing significant load during movement.

Key structures include:

  • Femur (thigh bone)
  • Tibia (shin bone)
  • Patella (kneecap)
  • Cartilage (meniscus)
  • Ligaments (ACL, PCL, MCL, LCL)
  • Tendons and surrounding muscles

These structures work together to provide stability and smooth movement. Pain can arise from any of them depending on load, injury, or movement patterns.

Where is Your Knee Pain?

The location of knee pain often provides important clues about the cause.

Front of the knee (most common)

Pain at the front of the knee is often related to:

  • Patellofemoral pain (kneecap tracking issues)
  • Patellar tendon irritation
  • Fat pad irritation
  • Bursa inflammation

This type of pain is commonly aggravated by:

  • Running
  • Squatting
  • Stairs
  • Sitting for long periods

Inside or outside of the knee

Pain on the inner or outer knee may involve:

  • Meniscus (cartilage) irritation or tear
  • Ligament strain
  • Load-related joint irritation

Back of the knee

Less common, but may relate to:

  • Joint swelling
  • Hamstring tendon irritation
  • Cyst formation

When Does Your Knee Hurt?

Understanding when pain occurs is just as important as where it occurs.

Pain at the start of activity

Often linked to:

  • Patellofemoral pain
  • Tendon irritation
  • Load sensitivity

Pain that warms up during activity

Often tendon-related conditions.

Pain that worsens with continued activity

May indicate:

  • Meniscus irritation
  • Higher-level joint irritation
  • Overload beyond capacity

Pain after activity or the next day

Often related to tissue overload or delayed response.

Why Does Knee Pain Happen?

Knee pain is rarely caused by a single factor. It usually occurs when the load placed on the knee exceeds its current capacity.

Common contributing factors include:

  • Sudden increase in training or activity
  • Weak hip and glute muscles
  • Poor movement control during running or squatting
  • Reduced ankle mobility
  • Previous injury
  • Inadequate recovery
  • Footwear or training errors

The knee relies heavily on the hip and ankle for control. If these areas are not functioning well, the knee often absorbs extra load.

Can Knee Pain Come From Elsewhere?

Yes.

In some cases, knee pain may be influenced by:

  • Hip joint dysfunction (referred pain or poor control)
  • Lower back nerve irritation (rare)
  • Poor biomechanics from the ankle or foot

A simple example is balance control:
When standing on an unstable surface, the knee often moves excessively unless the hip and ankle are controlling the motion properly. During running or sport, this effect is magnified, increasing stress on the knee.

How Physiotherapy Helps Knee Pain

Physiotherapy focuses on identifying the exact source of pain and correcting the underlying cause.

Assessment may include:

  • Movement and squat analysis
  • Running or jumping mechanics
  • Strength testing (hip, knee, ankle)
  • Joint mobility assessment
  • Load and training review

Treatment may include:

Hands-on treatment

  • Soft tissue therapy
  • Joint mobilisation
  • Dry needling (if appropriate)

Exercise rehabilitation

  • Quadriceps strengthening
  • Glute and hip strengthening
  • Balance and stability training
  • Movement retraining
  • Return-to-running or sport programs

Is My Knee Injury Serious?

Most knee pain is not serious and improves with appropriate management.

However, more serious injuries may include:

  • Ligament ruptures (ACL, MCL, etc.)
  • Fractures
  • Significant traumatic injuries

These are usually associated with:

  • Sudden injury or impact
  • Immediate swelling
  • Significant pain and difficulty weight-bearing

If suspected, your physiotherapist can refer for imaging and medical assessment.

Can I Keep Exercising With Knee Pain?

In many cases, yes—but it depends on severity.

You may be advised to:

  • Modify running or training load
  • Reduce squat depth temporarily
  • Avoid high-impact activities early on
  • Maintain low-impact exercise such as cycling or swimming

Staying active is usually beneficial when guided appropriately.

How Long Does Knee Pain Take to Recover?

Recovery time depends on the cause and severity:

  • Mild overload: 1–3 weeks
  • Tendon-related pain: 3–8+ weeks
  • Meniscus or more complex issues: variable, often longer rehabilitation

Early treatment typically leads to faster recovery.

When to See a Physiotherapist

You should seek assessment if you experience:

  • Knee pain lasting more than one week
  • Pain during running, stairs, or squatting
  • Recurring or worsening symptoms
  • Swelling or stiffness
  • Pain affecting sport or daily activities

Knee Pain Treatment in Bicton

At Apex Physiotherapy Bicton, we assess knee pain thoroughly to determine the exact cause and develop a personalised treatment plan.

Our approach focuses on:

  • Reducing pain
  • Restoring movement
  • Improving strength and control
  • Preventing recurrence
  • Returning to sport or activity safely

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my knee hurt when I run?

This is often due to load overload, poor movement control, or weakness in the hip and knee muscles.

Is knee pain normal when squatting?

No. Squatting should not cause pain. Pain may indicate load intolerance or movement issues.

Can physiotherapy fix knee pain?

Yes. Most knee pain responds very well to physiotherapy once the underlying cause is addressed.

Do I need a scan for knee pain?

Not always. Many cases are diagnosed through clinical assessment without imaging.

Should I stop exercising if my knee hurts?

Not necessarily. Exercise is often modified rather than stopped completely.