Knee Pain Treatment
Comprehensive physiotherapy for knee pain in South Surrey. Specialized treatment for runner's knee, arthritis, post-surgical rehab, and sports injuries.
Prevalence
25% of adults experience knee pain regularly
Common Age
Most common ages 40-65
Recovery Time
6-12 weeks depending on condition
Coverage
Covered by extended health
Symptoms & Causes
Common Symptoms
- Pain when climbing stairs or squatting
- Swelling or stiffness in the knee joint
- Popping or grinding sensations (crepitus)
- Pain that worsens with activity or prolonged sitting
- Weakness or instability ("giving way")
- Difficulty fully straightening or bending the knee
- Pain behind the kneecap (patellofemoral pain)
- Morning stiffness that improves with movement
- Difficulty walking, running, or kneeling
Common Causes
- Osteoarthritis (wear and tear of knee cartilage)
- Patellofemoral pain syndrome (runner's knee)
- Meniscus tears from twisting injuries
- Ligament injuries (ACL, MCL, PCL)
- Patellar tendinopathy (jumper's knee)
- IT band syndrome
- Bursitis (inflammation of knee cushioning sacs)
- Post-surgical complications or delayed recovery
Prevention & Self-Care
Prevention Tips
- Maintain strong quadriceps and hip muscles
- Warm up properly before exercise or sports
- Wear appropriate footwear for your activity
- Gradually increase training intensity (avoid sudden jumps)
- Cross-train to avoid repetitive stress
- Maintain a healthy body weight
- Address muscle imbalances early
- Use proper technique in sports and exercise
- Listen to your body and rest when needed
When to See a Physiotherapist
- Knee pain persisting longer than a few days
- Swelling that doesn't improve with rest and ice
- Knee feels unstable or "gives way"
- Significant decrease in range of motion
- Pain is interfering with daily activities
- Previous knee injury is recurring
- Post-surgical recovery is slower than expected
Frequently Asked Questions
Recovery time varies significantly depending on the cause of your knee pain. Acute injuries like muscle strains may improve within 2-4 weeks. Conditions like runner's knee or patellar tendinopathy typically take 6-12 weeks of consistent treatment. Arthritis is a chronic condition, but most people see significant symptom improvement within 8-12 weeks. Post-surgical rehabilitation (like ACL reconstruction) follows a structured timeline, usually 6-12 months to full sports return. We'll provide a realistic timeline based on your specific condition.
Absolutely. Physiotherapy is one of the most effective non-surgical treatments for knee arthritis. Research shows that strengthening the muscles around your knee, particularly the quadriceps, can significantly reduce pain and improve function. We use a combination of manual therapy, exercise therapy, and education to help you manage arthritis symptoms. Many patients are able to delay or avoid surgery through consistent physiotherapy. Even if you eventually need a knee replacement, pre-surgical physiotherapy improves post-surgical outcomes.
Not necessarily. While complete rest may be needed for severe injuries, many cases of knee pain can be managed with modified activity. We'll assess your running mechanics and training program to identify contributing factors. Often, reducing training volume temporarily, modifying your route, addressing strength imbalances, and improving running technique allows you to continue running while recovering. We work with many runners in South Surrey and can provide a structured return-to-run program.
Most knee pain responds well to conservative physiotherapy treatment and doesn't require surgery. Conditions like runner's knee, IT band syndrome, patellar tendinopathy, and even many meniscus tears improve with physiotherapy alone. However, complete ligament ruptures (like ACL) or severe arthritis may eventually require surgery. We'll thoroughly assess your condition and work closely with orthopedic surgeons when needed. If surgery is required, physiotherapy before and after surgery significantly improves outcomes.
Knee strengthening should focus on the entire lower limb, not just the knee joint itself. We'll prescribe exercises targeting your quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, and calf muscles. Common exercises include leg presses, step-ups, squats, and balance exercises. The key is starting at an appropriate level and progressing gradually. Our Clinical Pilates and Kinesiology programs are excellent options for structured knee strengthening in a supervised environment.
Yes, weak hip muscles (especially the glutes) are a very common cause of knee pain. Your hip controls the alignment of your entire leg during movement. When hip muscles are weak, your knee can collapse inward during activities like running, squatting, or climbing stairs, leading to increased stress and pain. We always assess hip strength in patients with knee pain and include targeted hip strengthening in treatment programs through manual therapy and exercise prescription. Our kinesiology and clinical pilates practitioners are particularly effective at addressing hip and knee alignment issues. Improving hip strength often leads to rapid improvement in knee pain.
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Ready to Start Your Recovery?
Book your initial 55-minute assessment with one of our experienced physiotherapists at South Surrey.