Knee Pain Physiotherapy in Joondanna and Moora
CLINICAL REVIEW DETAILS
Clinically reviewed by: Nick Nyman, Senior Musculoskeletal Physio
Last reviewed: August 2026
Profile link: Read Nick’s Bio
Knee pain has many possible causes, and the best treatment depends on the pattern of symptoms, injury mechanism and activity demands. Physiotherapy focuses on identifying the likely presentation, managing irritability and progressively rebuilding strength, control and tolerance.
Finding the cause and building capacity
Knee pain can follow a twist, direct impact, rapid increase in running or training, repeated kneeling or gradual change over time. Common presentations include patellofemoral pain, tendon pain, osteoarthritis, meniscal injury, ligament sprain and irritation following overload.
Pain may also be referred from the hip, back or nerves.
Why do knees become painful?
What does the location of pain tell us?
The location of pain provides clues but is not a diagnosis by itself. Pain around or behind the kneecap commonly occurs with stairs, squatting or prolonged sitting. Joint-line pain may occur with meniscal or arthritic presentations.
Pain below the kneecap can involve the patellar tendon, while pain at the outside of the knee may relate to local tissues or training load. Swelling, locking, giving way and the mechanism of injury are often more informative than location alone.
What is assessed?
YOUR PHYSIOTHERAPY ASSESSMENT MAY INCLUDE:
Swelling, range of motion and ability to straighten the knee
Ligament stability and meniscal features when indicated
Strength of the quadriceps, hamstrings, calves and hips
Walking, squatting, stairs, running, hopping or relevant work tasks
Recent changes in training, footwear, recovery and total weekly load
How is knee pain treated?
Initial treatment depends on irritability and injury severity. It may include short-term load reduction, strategies to control swelling, movement restoration and appropriate support. Rehabilitation then builds strength and tolerance using progressively harder exercises.
For many knee conditions, exercise is a central treatment rather than something delayed until all pain has disappeared. The correct starting point should be challenging enough to stimulate improvement without causing an unmanageable flare.
Not every painful knee needs an MRI. Many common knee problems can be assessed clinically and begin rehabilitation without imaging.
An X-ray or MRI may be appropriate following significant trauma, suspected fracture, persistent mechanical locking, major instability, unexplained swelling or when the result would change management.
Do I need an MRI?
When should you seek urgent medical care?
SEEK URGENT ASSESSMENT IF YOU EXPERIENCE:
Inability to put weight through the leg after injury or an obvious deformity
A locked knee that cannot fully bend or straighten
Rapid and significant swelling after a twist or collision
Calf swelling, chest pain or shortness of breath, particularly after surgery or immobilisation
A hot, red and swollen knee accompanied by fever or feeling unwell
Common Questions
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Not necessarily. A small and short-lived increase can be acceptable in some rehabilitation programs, but the response should be monitored and adjusted to your presentation.
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Clicking or grinding is common and may occur without injury. Noise matters more when accompanied by pain, swelling, locking or instability.
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Exercise, strength training, activity modification and weight-management support where relevant can improve pain and function, even though osteoarthritis-related structural changes may remain.
Arrange a knee assessment
If knee pain is limiting your walking, work, exercise or sport, book an appointment at Wattle Physio in Joondanna and Moora.
