Common symptoms
- Pain climbing stairs or getting up from a chair
- Stiffness in the morning
- Swelling or a feeling of the knee giving way
- Clicking or grinding
Common causes
- Osteoarthritis (wear and tear)
- Weak thigh and hip muscles
- Sports injuries to ligaments or meniscus
- Excess body weight
How physiotherapy helps
- Quadriceps and hip strengthening
- Joint mobilisation and pain relief
- Walking and stair training
- Weight-management and activity advice
- Taping or bracing guidance when helpful
When to see a doctor urgently
- A hot, red, very swollen knee
- Knee locked and unable to straighten
- Unable to put any weight on the leg after an injury
Frequently asked questions
Can physiotherapy delay knee replacement?
For many people with knee osteoarthritis, a good strengthening programme reduces pain and improves function enough to delay or avoid surgery.