Knee Pain
Relief from knee pain in Papworth Everard, Cambridgeshire:
Knee pain is a common issue that affects people of all ages and activity levels, often arising from injury, overuse, or conditions such as arthritis. It can significantly impact movement, making everyday activities and exercise more challenging.
Understanding the underlying cause of your knee pain is key to effective treatment. With the right approach, symptoms can be managed successfully, helping you restore mobility, reduce discomfort, and return to the activities you enjoy with confidence.
Below are just some of the knee conditions our expert team treats. Our dedicated team is committed to helping you move confidently from pain to peak performance.
Knee Osteoarthritis
Knee osteoarthritis is a common, progressive joint condition in which the protective cartilage covering the ends of the bones gradually wears away. As the cartilage becomes thinner and rougher, the bones begin to rub against each other, leading to pain, inflammation, stiffness, and reduced mobility. It often develops due to ageing, previous injury, or increased joint stress, including excess body weight. Symptoms can vary but commonly include pain during movement, stiffness, especially after rest or in the morning, swelling around the joint, and difficulty with everyday activities. Early assessment and effective management are key. With the right treatment approach, symptoms can be controlled, mobility maintained, and long-term joint function supported, helping you stay active and move with confidence.
Ligament Sprain / Rupture
A knee ligament injury occurs when one or more of the strong ligaments that stabilise the knee are overstretched (sprained) or torn (ruptured), usually as a result of sudden twisting movements, awkward landings, or direct impact. The knee relies on four key ligaments for stability: - ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament): Located in the centre of the knee, controls rotation and forward movement, commonly injured during sudden stops or pivoting. - PCL (Posterior Cruciate Ligament): Found at the back of the knee, controls backward movement, often injured by direct impact, such as a fall onto a bent knee. - MCL (Medial Collateral Ligament): Runs along the inside of the knee, helping resist sideways forces, typically injured by a blow to the outer knee. - LCL (Lateral Collateral Ligament): Located on the outside of the knee, less commonly injured, often from impact to the inner knee. Common symptoms include sudden pain, swelling, a “popping” sensation at the time of injury, instability, and reduced range of motion. Physiotherapy is essential for recovery, helping to restore movement, rebuild strength, improve stability, and guide a safe return to full function while reducing the risk of future injury.
Patella Tendinopathy
Patellar tendinopathy, commonly known as jumper’s knee, is a frequent overuse injury affecting the tendon that connects your kneecap (patella) to your shinbone. It develops when repeated stress causes small micro-tears in the tendon, leading to irritation, reduced tendon quality, and ongoing pain. Common symptoms include: - Localised tenderness just below the kneecap. - Pain and stiffness, especially after rest or prolonged sitting. - Pain at the start of activity that may ease during exercise but return afterwards. - A thickened or sensitive tendon. - Tightness or weakness in the thigh (quadriceps) muscles. This condition is often linked to repetitive loading activities such as running and jumping, sudden increases in training intensity, muscle imbalances, or factors such as weight changes. Physiotherapy is key to effective recovery, helping to reduce pain, address underlying causes, restore strength and flexibility, and guide a gradual, safe return to activity while minimising the risk of recurrence.
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a common condition that causes a dull, aching pain at the front of the knee, usually around or behind the kneecap (patella). It occurs when the kneecap does not move smoothly within the groove of the thigh bone (femur). Symptoms often include: - Pain with activities such as climbing stairs (especially going down), squatting, or kneeling. - Discomfort after prolonged sitting, such as during a drive or at the cinema. - Clicking, grinding, or popping sensations when bending or straightening the knee. - A feeling that the knee may “give way”. PFPS is typically caused by a combination of overuse, muscle imbalances, and movement or alignment issues. Physiotherapy plays a key role in recovery, helping to reduce pain, correct movement patterns, strengthen the leg and core muscles, and improve flexibility. This supports better kneecap tracking and enables a safe and confident return to activity.
Meniscal Tear
A meniscal tear occurs when the cartilage (meniscus) that cushions and stabilises the knee joint becomes damaged. This can happen suddenly during twisting movements or rapid changes in direction, commonly in sport, or develop gradually due to age-related wear and tear. Symptoms often include pain, swelling, a catching or locking sensation, and a feeling that the knee may give way. The severity can vary depending on the type and extent of the tear. Physiotherapy is essential for effective management, helping to guide the best treatment approach, restore movement, rebuild strength, and support a safe return to full function and activity.
Fractures
A knee fracture occurs when one or more of the bones forming the knee joint, such as the femur (thigh bone), tibia (shin bone), or patella (kneecap), is broken. These injuries are usually the result of trauma, such as a fall or direct impact, and can cause severe pain, swelling, and difficulty moving or bearing weight. Symptoms may include bruising, tenderness, and in some cases, a visible deformity around the knee. Prompt medical care is essential. Treatment may involve immobilisation, realignment, or surgery, followed by physiotherapy to restore strength, mobility, and full function, helping you recover safely and return to your normal activities with confidence.
How Can Physiotherapy Help?
Physiotherapy for knee conditions focuses on relieving pain and restoring function through a combination of hands-on treatment and targeted rehabilitation. This may include joint mobilisation, soft tissue massage, taping, acupuncture, and tailored exercise programmes.
Our physiotherapists will also empower you with practical strategies to support your recovery, such as specific stretches and strengthening exercises to prevent recurrence. We provide expert guidance on managing workload, incorporating effective breaks, and reducing strain during daily activities. Where appropriate, we can also advise on posture correction and recommend ergonomic solutions to support long-term knee health.