Condition
Physiotherapy for Knee Pain and Stiffness
Knee pain with stairs, squatting, kneeling or walking distance, including post-injury stiffness.
Knee pain can come from the joint surfaces, the surrounding tendons and muscles, or from how load is shared with the hip and ankle. Two people with similar pain can need quite different programmes.
Strength around the knee and hip is one of the most consistently useful things to work on, alongside adjusting how much load the knee handles week to week.
Last reviewed: 2026-01-12 · SS Physiotherapy Clinic
Common symptoms
- Pain on stairs, particularly going down
- Discomfort when squatting or kneeling
- Stiffness after sitting for a while
- Swelling after activity
- A feeling of giving way or instability
Possible contributing factors
- A sudden increase in walking, running or standing
- Previous injury to the knee or surrounding structures
- Reduced hip and thigh strength
- Age-related joint changes
- Body-weight related load on the joint
How physiotherapy may help
- Working out which structures and loads provoke symptoms
- Progressive strengthening for thigh, hip and calf muscles
- Improving movement control on stairs and when squatting
- Guidance on activity levels and pacing
- Support before or after surgery when relevant
Assessment and treatment approach
- Assessment of movement, strength, swelling and walking pattern
- Comparison with the other side to identify deficits
- A staged strengthening and loading programme
- Balance and control work
- Advice on footwear, surfaces and activity progression
General self-care advice
- Keep the knee moving gently rather than avoiding all bending
- Progress walking distance gradually
- Manage swelling with rest and elevation after heavy days
- Continue strengthening once symptoms settle to reduce recurrence
When to seek medical care
- Inability to bear weight after an injury
- A hot, red, swollen knee with fever
- The knee locking or repeatedly giving way
- Rapid, significant swelling immediately after injury
If symptoms are severe or worsening quickly, contact a doctor or emergency services without waiting for a physiotherapy appointment.
FAQs
Questions about knee pain
Related services
Other conditions
Get assessed for knee pain
Tell us about your condition and we will confirm a suitable date and time. You can also call or message the clinic directly.