Knee Pain

General Information

Resources for your

Knee Pain

Alternatively visit our Hip or Thigh/Leg/Calf resource pages or Back to Resources Home

Most people get knee pain at some point in their lives.  It can hurt, but it is usually not caused by anything serious.  Anyone can get knee pain, but it is more common as we get older.

Your knee is a joint made of bones and cartilage.  It is held together and supported by ligaments, tendons and muscles.  Pain can happen when any of these are irritated or injured.

What causes knee pain?

  • Starting a new sport, hobby or exercise.
  • Repetitive movement of the knee.
  • Injuries from an accident or a fall.
  • Muscle or tendon strains/tears.
  • Conditions like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or fibromyalgia.
  • Being overweight, which puts extra pressure on the knee.
  • Poor sleep, stress or anxiety, feeling run down or smoking can also make pain feel worse.

Sometimes, there is no clear cause. In these cases, simple self-help usually improves the pain within a few weeks.

What are the symptoms?

You may feel:

  • pain at the front, inside, outside or back of the knee.
  • pain may spread up the thigh or down the calf or shin

You may also experience:

  • swelling or bruising
  • stiffness or difficulty moving the knee
  • weakness in the thigh or leg muscles e.g. quadriceps (front of thigh) or hamstrings (back of thigh)
  • redness, warmth around the knee
  • the knee giving way or causing you to fall.
  • the knee getting stuck and not moving properly (“locking”)

Self Help

Knee pain usually gets better within 6-8 weeks. Try some of these tips to help:

  • for the first few days, change or reduce your usual activities or exercise, for example, try cycling instead of running - as your pain improves, slowly return to your normal activities
  • ask your pharmacist about short-term pain relief
  • try to stay at work or return as soon as you can - your employer, GP or health professional can help you return gradually
  • try and get a good night's sleep - a pillow between your knees may help you feel more comfortable

Should I refer myself to Physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy may help if:

  • your knee pain is not improving after a few weeks despite the above advice
  • pain is affecting your work or daily activities
  • you experience recurrent episodes of knee pain

If you have tried the self-help measures on these pages and the symptoms have not settled, you can self-refer to MSK Physiotherapy if you live in Leicester, Leicestershire or Rutland.

For more information on how to self-refer to MSK Physiotherapy visit our Service Page.

When should I seek urgent medical advice?

Call 111 for advice or visit your local Urgent Care Centre if:

  • your knee is hot, red, swollen and painful
  • you have had an injury e.g. a fall or twisting movement
  • you cannot put weight on your leg or walk properly
  • you cannot straighten your knee
  • your knee keeps giving way
  • you feel unwell, have a fever or flu-like symptoms

Contact your GP if:

  • your knee pain is getting worse over time

Remember

Most knee pain will improve with time, gentle movement and a gradual return to normal activities.

Useful Resources

Advice and Information Leaflets

Leaflets:

Advice and Information Videos

Videos:

Exercises

Virtual Exercise Classes:

Urgent / Out of Hours Health Care

If in doubt which service is best for you, call 111 for advice or visit LLR ICB Urgent Health Care for more information.

Need information for a different body area?

Alternatively visit our Hip or Thigh/Leg/Calf resource pages or Back to Resources Home.

Back to MSK Service Page

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