Physio for knee pain
A physio can help if knee pain has not improved within a few weeks, keeps coming back, or makes stairs, walking or kneeling hard. The NHS says a doctor may suggest physiotherapy for knee pain, depending on the cause, and in many areas you can refer yourself to NHS physiotherapy for it.
The NHS says knee pain can often be treated at home and you should start to feel better in a few days. Some knee symptoms need NHS 111 now: check the warning signs on this page before anything else.
- When to get it looked at
- See a GP or a physio if it does not improve within a few weeks.
- How long it tends to take
- The NHS says knee pain can often be treated at home and you should start to feel better in a few days. It suggests seeing a GP if it does not improve within a few weeks.
- Getting a physio
- In many areas you can refer yourself to NHS physiotherapy without seeing a GP, or you can pay privately.
Does this sound familiar?
- Both knees ache and feel stiff, especially after sitting, with a little swelling.
- Stairs, kneeling or getting up from a low chair hurt.
- It started after you twisted it or overdid it at exercise.
- There is pain just below your kneecap after running or jumping.
- It feels less steady than it used to.
These are common ways people describe knee pain. They are not a diagnosis. If you recognise them, check where it hurts to see a suggested next step.
Common causes of knee pain
The NHS says knee pain can be a symptom of many different conditions, and links these symptoms with these causes. Do not try to diagnose yourself: a physio or GP can assess it.
| What people notice | What the NHS lists as a possible cause |
|---|---|
| Pain after overstretching, overusing or twisting it, often during exercise | A sprain or strain |
| Pain between your kneecap and shin, often from repeated running or jumping | Tendonitis |
| Pain and stiffness in both knees with mild swelling, more common in older people | Osteoarthritis |
| Warm and red, and kneeling or bending makes the pain and swelling worse | Bursitis |
| Unstable, gives way when you stand, or will not straighten, sometimes after a pop when you hurt it | A torn ligament, tendon or meniscus, or cartilage damage |
When to get help first
If you have knee pain and any of these, do not wait to see a physio. This is the same list our check asks, taken from the NHS pages below. If you are not sure, call 111.
Call 999 or go to A&E
If you have knee pain and:
- Sudden pain, pressure or tightness in your chest that does not go awayIncluding chest pain that spreads to your arm, neck, jaw or back, or comes with sweating, feeling sick, light-headed or short of breath.
Get help from NHS 111, or ask for an urgent GP appointment
If you have knee pain and:
- You feel hot, cold or shivery, or generally unwell, as well as the pain
- The joint is hot and swollen, or the skin around it has changed colour
- Your knee is very painful
- You cannot move your knee or put any weight on it
- Your knee is badly swollen or has changed shape
- Your knee locks, gives way or clicks painfullyClicking that does not hurt is normal.
See a GP
If you have knee pain and:
- You have lost weight without trying to
What you can do now
If none of the warning signs apply, the NHS suggests:
- At first, put as little weight on it as you can, and avoid standing for long.
- Put an ice pack wrapped in a tea towel on it for up to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours.
- A pharmacist can advise you on painkillers and gels.
See a GP or a physio if it does not improve within a few weeks.
What a physio usually does
Depending on the cause, a doctor may suggest physiotherapy for knee pain.
- At a first appointment, a physio asks about your symptoms, your health and your daily life, and may check how you move, your strength and your balance.
- Treatment may include exercises to improve movement and build strength, and manual therapy, where the physio uses their hands to massage and move the area.
- You usually get advice on managing your symptoms and exercises to do at home between sessions.
In many areas of England you can refer yourself to NHS physiotherapy through community musculoskeletal (MSK) services, without seeing a GP first. Waiting times can be long. You can also pay to see a physio privately. The NHS says to check they are registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
How long knee pain tends to take
The NHS says knee pain can often be treated at home and you should start to feel better in a few days. It suggests seeing a GP if it does not improve within a few weeks. Everyone is different, and a physio or GP can tell you more once they have assessed you.
Questions people ask about knee pain
Can a physio help with knee pain?
Depending on the cause, yes. The NHS says a doctor may suggest physiotherapy for knee pain, and knee pain is on the NHS list of problems you can refer yourself to community musculoskeletal (MSK) services for in many areas. A physio checks how your knee moves and how strong the muscles around it are, then suggests exercises and advice.
Can a physio help with knee arthritis?
Arthritis is on the NHS list of problems community musculoskeletal (MSK) services, including physiotherapy, can help with, and so is recovery after a knee replacement. The NHS describes knee osteoarthritis as pain and stiffness in both knees with mild swelling, more common in older people. A physio can show you exercises to do at home.
Should I rest my knee or keep walking?
At first, rest it. The NHS suggests putting as little weight on your knee as you can, avoiding standing for a long time, and using an ice pack wrapped in a tea towel for up to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours. You should start to feel better in a few days. If it does not improve within a few weeks, see a GP or a physio.
Should I see a GP or a physio for knee pain?
With none of the warning signs on this page, a physio is a sensible first stop: in many areas you can refer yourself to NHS physiotherapy, or you can pay privately. The NHS says to see a GP if knee pain does not improve within a few weeks. Some knee symptoms need NHS 111 now, and they are listed on this page.
Sources
- NHS: Back pain page reviewed
- NHS: Shoulder pain page reviewed
- NHS: Elbow and arm pain page reviewed
- NHS: Hip pain in adults page reviewed
- NHS: Knee pain page reviewed
- NHS: Chest pain page reviewed
- NHS: Septic arthritis page reviewed
- NHS: Unintentional weight loss page reviewed
- NHS: Physiotherapy page reviewed
- NHS: Get NHS help for back or joint problems page reviewed
This is general information, not medical advice or a diagnosis. A physio or GP can assess your own situation.