01 296 4964
Mon – Fri: 8:00 am – 20:30 pm, Sat – Sun: Closed
info@premierphysiotherapy.ie
BOOK APPOINTMENT
01 296 4964
Mon – Fri: 8:00 am – 20:30 pm, Sat – Sun: Closed
info@premierphysiotherapy.ie
BOOK APPOINTMENT
BOOK APPOINTMENT
Book Now
Call Us
Premier Physiotherapy Premier Physiotherapy

Knee Pain

Knee Pain

Understanding Knee Pain

Knee pain can limit work, sport and daily tasks such as stair negotiation, squatting and walking. The knee is a load-bearing joint. Pain can arise from acute injury, repetitive overload, degenerative change, or a combination of mechanical and sensitisation factors. Evidence-based physiotherapy identifies the tissue drivers, restores movement and load tolerance, and reduces the chance of recurrence.

Does Any of This Sound Familiar

  • Pain when climbing or descending stairs, squatting, or rising from a chair
  • Knee pain after running, hopping, prolonged standing or returning to sport
  • Swelling or giving-way episodes after an injury
  • Stiffness and pain with prolonged sitting or on first steps in the morning
  • Tried passive treatments with only temporary relief or been told surgery or painkillers are your only option

If this resonates, a focused assessment and targeted rehabilitation approach can often improve pain and function without unnecessary procedures.

What Causes Knee Pain (Summary)

Patellofemoral pain (PFPS)
Pain around or behind the kneecap provoked by load (stairs, squats, sitting) often linked to altered patellar forces, quadriceps control or strength, hamstring tightness and hip muscle weakness.
Iliotibial band syndrome
Pain arising on the outside of the knee and is related to repetitive knee bending/straightening and is likely causing compression of the tissues to the outside of the knee.
Meniscal injury
Traumatic or degenerative tears causing joint line pain, and possible mechanical symptoms such as locking and/or catching. You may experience intermittent swelling and limited activities that require crouching/squatting or twisting.
Ligament injuries
Acute instability and dysfunction following trauma
Tendinopathy
Load-related tendon pain often with activity-related morning stiffness and progressive weakness of musculature.
Post-surgical or post-traumatic persistent pain
Ongoing deficits in strength, motor control or stiffness after surgery or fracture.
Referred or systemic contributors
Hip or lumbar dysfunction, inflammatory arthritis or metabolic factors may present with knee symptoms.

Why Knee Pain Might Not Be Getting Better

Insufficient progressive loading
Passive approaches without graded strengthening and functional loading prevent tissue adaptation and improvement.
Unrecognised drivers
Hip or ankle weakness and movement dysfunction continue to load the knee abnormally.
Poor neuromuscular control
Faulty landing, cutting or squatting mechanics increase joint stresses and repeat injury.
Excessive rest or premature return
Both deconditioning and rapid return to high-demand activity impede recovery.
Over-reliance on imaging
Structural findings (degenerative change, small meniscal tears) commonly appear in pain-free people; imaging alone can mislead management.
Weight and systemic loading factors
Excess body mass increases joint load and symptom persistence in knee OA and overload conditions.

How Evidence-Based Physiotherapy Helps

Comprehensive assessment and individualised diagnosis:
We assess strength (quadriceps, hip abductors and extensors), movement quality (squat, single-leg tasks), joint mobility, swelling, and functional goals to identify modifiable drivers.
Progressive exercise therapy (cornerstone of care):
Graded strengthening of the quadriceps, gluteal and calf muscles plus progressive functional and sport-specific loading reliably reduces pain and improves function across PFPS, tendinopathy, postinjury weakness and knee OA.
Neuromuscular and movement retraining:
Targeted retraining of landing, cutting and single-leg control reduces abnormal joint loading and lowers re-injury risk.
Load management and activity modification:
Structured increases in distance, volume and intensity with symptom-guided progression prevent flare-ups and build resilience.
Manual therapy and adjuncts:
Short-term pain relief and improved mobility can be achieved with targeted manual techniques, but best outcomes combine these with active exercise.
Weight management and multimodal care for OA:
Combining exercise with weight loss and analgesic optimisation improves pain and function more than isolated passive treatments.
Bracing, taping and orthoses used selectively:
Patellar taping may provide temporary symptom relief and help during early loading phases; unloading braces or foot orthoses may assist selected patients.
Prehabilitation and post-operative rehabilitation:
Pre-op strengthening and structured post-op progression improve outcomes after ligament reconstruction and meniscal surgery.
Education and self-management:
Pain neuroscience-informed education, pacing strategies, return-to-sport criteria and a home exercise programme improve adherence and long-term outcomes.

Next Steps

If knee pain is limiting your activity, book a thorough assessment to identify the specific drivers and receive an evidence-based rehabilitation plan. Expect a clear roadmap: targeted strengthening, neuromuscular retraining, graded return-to-activity, practical management strategies and measurable goals to restore function and reduce recurrence. Call or click to arrange an appointment and start an active recovery focused on long-term improvement.

Download Resource

Neck Pain Guide.pdf

You're about to download our comprehensive guide

By downloading, you agree to receive relevant resources and updates. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy.

Musculoskeletal Conditions

Shoulder Pain
Back Pain
Neck Pain
Knee Pain
Hip Pain
Ankle Pain
Plantar Fascia Pain
Tendon Pain

Need Help ? Call Us Now

01 296 4964

Book Appointment