Want to Beat Knee Pain?

Written By: Chloe Wilson, BSc(Hons) Physiotherapy
Reviewed by: KPE Medical Review Board

Knee pain is a very common problem affecting 1-in-4 adults. It is the second most common cause of long-term pain, after back pain, and the number of operations carried out each year for knee problems is steadily rising. 

But most cases of knee pain will settle down with simple treatment that can be done at home. But, where do you start?

Take Back Control

We've been helping people to beat knee pain for over 10 years. Pain in the knee is common, it’s painful, it can stop you from doing the things you love and really get you down. But by doing some simple things, you really can make it better. We want to help you take back control today.


Diagnosis

Knee Pain Diagnosis - get help working out what is causing your pain

What's Wrong With My Knee?
Find out what's causing your pain


Symptoms

Common knee symptoms and what they mean

Common Knee Symptoms
Find out what they mean


Conditions

Common causes of knee pain

Common Causes of Knee Pain
e.g. Gout, Bursitis, Tendonitis


Injuries

Common Knee Injuries

Common Knee Injuries
e.g. ligament & cartilage damage


Treatment

Top knee pain treatments

Best Ways To Treat Knee Pain
And stop it from coming back


Exercises

The best exercises for knee pain

Knee Rehab Programs
Regain your strength & flexibility


Surgery

Common knee operations

Surgical Options For Knees
e.g. arthroscopy & joint replacements


Braces

Find out all about the best knee braces

Top Knee Braces
by style, manufacturer & support


Arthritis

Arthritis in the knee: causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

Knee Arthritis
e.g. symptoms, diagnosis & treatment



Anatomy

Everything you need to know about knee anatomy

Structures Of The Knee
e.g. ligaments, tendons, cartilage


When Should You See A Doctor?

Most cases of knee pain will settle down with simple treatment, but sometimes it’s worth discussing things with your doctor.

See Your Regular Doctor If:

  • You have moderate knee pain
  • The pain is there all the time
  • Your knee is regularly giving way
  • Your knee locks - gets stuck 
  • Your knee symptoms have suddenly got worse
  • You have a high temperature with your knee pain
  • You notice that your lymph nodes are swollen e.g. in the neck or groin as this can be a sign of an infection
  • There is no improvement in your symptoms after a week

Seek Urgent Medical Attention If:

  • You have severe knee pain
  • You heard a cracking or popping noise when you injured your knee
  • There is severe knee swelling and bruising
  • Your knee looks an awkward shape
  • You are unable to bear weight on your leg
  • You notice any changes in your bladder or bowel
  • You lose sensation in one or both feet

Check Out Our New Book!

We are really excited to announce the launch of our latest book, Beat Knee Pain: Take Back Control. Everything you need to know to help you work out what is wrong with your knee and how to get back to doing what you love.

Beat Knee Pain: Take Back Control. The ultimate guide to treating your own knees. The latest book from knee-pain-explained.com

Where Should I Start?

Not only do we want to help you abolish the pain, we also want to help you to make sure that it doesn't come back again in the future. So not only do we look at how to treat the problem, we also help you work out what caused it in the first place so you can address that too, in an easy to understand and follow way - no confusing jargon!

You may not be sure which section to go for so let's have a look at each section in a bit more detail.

1. Knee Pain Diagnosis

The first step to overcoming knee pain is working out what is actually wrong. In the diagnosis section, we will help you to work out what has gone wrong and why. There are two different ways to make a diagnosis. You can think about:

Knee Pain Diagnosis - help working out what is causing your pain

The Location of the Pain: Where you feel the pain in your knee can be a great indication of what the problem is. While the pain may spread around the joint, the main focus of the pain may be at the front, back or side of the knee, in the kneecap or further down either below the knee or in the calf.

How The Pain Started: Did the pain come on gradually over time with no obvious cause, or was there a specific injury such as a twisted knee that kicked it all off? Here we look at how you can work out what is going on by thinking about how the pain started and how it has progressed since.

Accurate knee pain diagnosis makes all the difference when recovering from knee problems. LEARN MORE >

2. Knee Symptoms

Knee symptoms vary greatly depending on what is going on in and around the knee. Many causes of knee pain are associated with specific symptoms, unique to the specific problem.

Knee symptoms help us to identify what is causing knee pain so we can work out what to do

The most common of these are popping noises, instability and giving way, locking, burning or sharp pain, pain with certain activities such as running and bending or on stairs, swelling or stiffness. This section looks at each of these specific symptoms and helps you to work out what is causing your knee pain.

In the knee symptoms section, we look at the most common symptoms associated with knee pain, how they indicate what is wrong and the best course of action to get rid of the pain for good. Learn More >

3. Common Knee Problems

There are loads of different things that can go wrong with the knee. Knee problems can be split into two different categories, those that develop suddenly due to an injury, and those that come on gradually over time.

Common causes of knee pain and knee injuries

Knee Injuries: Where a specific part of the knee is injured, usually by twisting awkwardly, a sudden force through the knee or an accident. In the knee injuries section, we look at the different structures that are often damaged, including the knee ligaments, cartilage/meniscus, bones, muscle injuries including tendonosis and injuries to the kneecap.

Knee Conditions: These are problems in the knee that tend to come on gradually over time without a specific injury. In most cases, repetitive friction or pressure on part of the knee damages the joint leading to pain and affecting normal function. In the knee conditions section, we look at the most common causes of knee pain including tendonitis, bursitis, Runners Knee, Osgood Schlatters Disease and Gout. 

In each section, we look in depth at the causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment options for each cause of knee pain so you can take back control. LEARN MORE >

4. Knee Arthritis

Arthritis in the knee: causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

Knee arthritis is the most common cause of knee pain in people over the age of fifty. Wear and tear and inflammation in the joint leads to pain and disability which can really affect your quality of life.

In the knee arthritis section, we cover all the different aspects of the condition including the:

  • common causes and symptoms,
  • how it is diagnosed,
  • the different stages of arthritis,
  • the best treatment options including conventional treatment and alternative medicine, looking at the pros and cons of both,
  • exercises that you can do in your own home to reduce pain and regain your strength, stability and movement, and
  • how your diet can affect your knee arthritis for better and worse.

Find out everything you need to know about each of these in the Knee Arthritis section.

5. Knee Pain Treatment

There is a whole range of treatment options out there that help to reduce knee pain and swelling. Once you know what is causing your pain, you can start treating your symptoms. 

Top knee pain treatments to help you beat knee pain and take back control

In the knee treatment section, we will look at the ten most effective treatments for knee pain, and which ones work best for what problems. We look at how to:

  • Treat Acute Injuries: by reducing pain, inflammation and tissue damage using PRICE therapy - protect, rest, ice, compression and elevation
  • Reduce Ongoing Pain: using medication, injections, ice wraps, heat and acupuncture
  • Regain Strength and Flexibility: with strengthening, stretching and stability exercises
  • Restore Function: using different aids such as knee pads, braces, compression bandages

6. Knee Braces

Find out all about the best knee braces

Knee braces can be really useful with a whole range of knee problems. They help to protect the joint, improve stability and reduce the risk of re-injury.

There are a huge number of braces out there, and in the knee braces section we look at the best ones for a whole range of conditions, how to choose the right one for you and you can read user reviews. You can browse knee braces by:

  1. Stability Level e.g. basic, advanced and elite,
  2. Style e.g. pull-up sleeves, wrap-arounds and straps,
  3. Braces for specific knee problems e.g. ACL injuries and arthritis and by
  4. Manufacturer e.g. ACE, McDavid and Donjoy

7. Knee Exercises

The best exercises for knee pain

Exercises are one of the best ways to reduce almost all cases of knee pain. By improving the strength, flexibility and stability of the knee, you reduce the forces going through the joint and make sure they are spread throughout the whole joint rather than all going through one part.

For the knee to move smoothly and fully in each direction, it needs all of the leg muscles to work together. 

In the knee exercises section you will find a whole range of: 

  • strengthening exercises, for beginners to advanced, including resistance bands v weights
  • stretches for all the different muscle groups,
  • specific programs for specific injuries such as cartilage tears and ACL injuries and
  • loads of top tips and advice on how to get the best results and work at the right level

Whether you are just starting out after an injury or operation, or are nearly at the end of the rehabilitation process but need that extra challenge to get back to the sports you love you will find something for you.

8. Knee Surgery

Everything you need to know about the most common knee operations

Some cases of knee pain will need surgery. If the damage inside the joint is going to cause ongoing problems such as pain and instability, surgery may be needed to repair damaged tissue, remove debris or in some cases replace the whole joint.

In the knee operation section, we look at the most common types of surgery carried out on the knee ranging from keyhole surgery to clean out the joint, ligament repairs and reconstructions and knee stability surgery.

We also have a whole section dedicated to knee replacement surgery. For each we look at the indications for surgery, what actually happens before, during and after the operation, the rehabilitation process, risks and benefits and how to make the best recovery. LEARN MORE >

9. Knee Joint Anatomy

Everything you need to know about knee joint anatomy

Understanding what goes on inside and around the knee joint and how the different structures work helps us to understand the different causes of knee pain. There are actually two knee joints - the tibiofemoral joint (between the thigh and shin bone) and the patellofemoral joint (between the kneecap and thigh).

In the knee joint anatomy section you can find out all about the different structures in the knee including the different ligaments and bursae, how the cartilage works to absorb stress on the joint, where the different muscles are and how they work and how the bones fit together. LEARN MORE >

Where Next?

Each section contains in-depth information on each topic and will guide you through all the different aspects of knee problems. 

Choose from the sections above or use the navigation bar to find out more about knee pain and how you can beat it. If you can’t find something you are looking for, please visit the Site Map.

If your pain is further down your leg, visit foot-pain-explored.com, our sister site which covers all aspects of ankle, foot and toe problems.

Please be aware that all the information on knee-pain-explained.com is intended for general education purposes only. 

Nothing that you read on this site should delay you from seeking professional medical advice or substitute any advice, diagnosis or treatment that you have been given or recommended by your health professional - please see our terms and conditions before proceeding.

Page Last Updated: September 26th, 2024
Next Review Due: September 26th, 2026