The knee takes load with every step, and it is one of the joints where the cause of pain is often not where you feel it. Hip and ankle mechanics, muscle strength and training load all feed into knee symptoms.

What it feels like

• Pain at the front of the knee going up or down stairs, or after sitting a long time
• Pain on the inside or outside of the joint line
• Swelling, either immediately after an injury or building over a day
• Catching, locking or giving way
• Stiffness after rest that eases as you move

Common causes

• Patellofemoral pain — pain around the kneecap, common in runners and with desk work
• Osteoarthritis, where exercise is a first-line treatment supported by strong evidence
• Meniscus injury — the cartilage discs inside the joint
• Ligament injuries, including ACL and MCL, often from sport or a twist
• Patellar or quadriceps tendinopathy from jumping and landing loads
• Iliotibial band-related pain on the outside of the knee

How physiotherapy helps

For knee osteoarthritis and for most non-surgical knee problems, strengthening and graded loading are the treatments with the best evidence behind them. Your programme is likely to include:

• Quadriceps, hamstring and hip strengthening — hip strength is frequently the missing piece in front-of-knee pain
• Movement retraining for squatting, stairs, landing and running mechanics
• Load management: adjusting training volume rather than stopping altogether
• Manual therapy and range-of-motion work where the joint is stiff
• Balance and control work, particularly after a ligament injury
• The Super Inductive System, laser therapy or electrotherapy to help manage pain while you build strength

If you have had or are considering knee surgery, see our page on post-surgical rehabilitation.

What to expect at your first visit

Your physiotherapist looks at how you walk, squat and climb stairs, tests the ligaments and cartilage, and assesses strength at the hip and knee. Knee pain is often driven by something above or below the joint, so the examination will not be limited to the knee itself.

When to see a doctor instead

See a physician or attend an emergency department if you cannot put weight on the leg, if the knee swelled immediately and dramatically after an injury, if it is locked and will not straighten, or if the joint is hot, red and you feel unwell.

Booking an appointment

You do not need a doctor’s referral to see a physiotherapist in Ontario. Some extended health plans ask for one before they will reimburse you, so it is worth checking your policy.

We are at 2600 Skymark Avenue, Building 3, Unit 102, Mississauga, open Monday to Friday 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM and Saturday and Sunday 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM, with free parking. See our fees or call 647-998-4727.

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This page is general information, not medical advice. An assessment with a registered physiotherapist is the way to find out what is causing your symptoms and what will help.