# Knee Pain Treatment Comprehensive physiotherapy for knee pain in South Surrey. Specialized treatment for runner's knee, arthritis, post-surgical rehab, and sports injuries. [Call +1 604 923 8323](tel:+16049238323) ## 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 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 ## How We Treat Knee Pain At At Ease Physio, we provide specialized treatment for all types of knee pain - from acute sports injuries to chronic arthritis. Our comprehensive approach includes [manual therapy](https://ateasephysio.ca/services/manual-therapy) to reduce pain and improve joint mobility, targeted strengthening exercises for the muscles that support your knee, movement retraining to correct faulty mechanics, and hands-on techniques like [dry needling](https://ateasephysio.ca/services/dry-needling) for muscle tension. We also offer [clinical pilates](https://ateasephysio.ca/services/clinical-pilates) and [kinesiology](https://ateasephysio.ca/services/kinesiology) programs to develop strength and movement control. Whether you’re recovering from surgery or dealing with long-standing knee pain, we create personalized programs to get you back to your activities. ## What to Expect Your first session includes a thorough assessment examining your knee joint, muscle strength, flexibility, and movement patterns. We also assess your hip and foot mechanics since these areas often contribute to knee pain. Treatment typically includes [manual therapy](https://ateasephysio.ca/services/manual-therapy) to reduce pain and improve range of motion, specific exercises to strengthen weak muscles (especially quadriceps and glutes), and functional training to improve your running, walking, or sports technique. Most patients see improvement within 6-10 sessions, with a focus on long-term prevention and performance. ### Our treatment services [Manual Therapy Skilled hands-on techniques to restore mobility, reduce pain, and promote healing Learn More](https://ateasephysio.ca/services/manual-therapy) [Clinical Pilates Physiotherapist-led Pilates tailored to your rehabilitation and functional goals Learn More](https://ateasephysio.ca/services/clinical-pilates) [Kinesiology & Active Rehab Movement-based rehabilitation to rebuild strength, coordination, and confidence Learn More](https://ateasephysio.ca/services/kinesiology) ## 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 ## Meet the Practitioners Our team of experienced physiotherapists and kinesiologists are ready to help you on your path to recovery. ### [Michaela Toffoli](https://ateasephysio.ca/team/michaela-toffoli) Registered Physiotherapist [View Profile](https://ateasephysio.ca/team/michaela-toffoli) ### [Megan Davis](https://ateasephysio.ca/team/megan-davis) Registered Physiotherapist [View Profile](https://ateasephysio.ca/team/megan-davis) ### [Rachel Craig](https://ateasephysio.ca/team/rachel-craig) Registered Kinesiologist [View Profile](https://ateasephysio.ca/team/rachel-craig) ## New to physiotherapy? Start with an assessment. You do not need to choose a treatment technique. [First visit & fees](https://ateasephysio.ca/patient-info#pricing) ## Frequently asked questions **How long does it take to recover from knee pain?** 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. **Can physiotherapy help with knee arthritis?** 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. **Do I need to stop running with knee pain?** 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. **Will I need surgery for my knee pain?** 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. **How do I strengthen my knee safely?** 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. **Can weak hips cause knee pain?** 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. ## Related Conditions [Hip Pain Treatment Specialized physiotherapy for hip pain in South Surrey. Effective treatment for hip arthritis, bursitis, labral tears, and sports injuries. Learn More](https://ateasephysio.ca/conditions/hip-pain) [Plantar Fasciitis Treatment Specialized physiotherapy for plantar fasciitis and heel pain in South Surrey. Effective treatment to relieve foot pain and get you back on your feet. Learn More](https://ateasephysio.ca/conditions/plantar-fasciitis) [Back Pain Treatment Specialized physiotherapy treatment for lower back pain in South Surrey. Get relief from acute and chronic back pain with personalized care. Learn More](https://ateasephysio.ca/conditions/back-pain) ## Related Articles [Clinical Pilates with a Registered Physiotherapist Learn how Clinical Pilates differs from traditional Pilates and how our physiotherapists use it for rehabilitation, injury recovery, and movement retraining. Read more](https://ateasephysio.ca/blog/clinical-pilates-with-physiotherapist) [Get Moving with Kinesiology Discover how kinesiology at At Ease Physiotherapy can enhance your movement, build strength, and help you rehab old injuries with personalized programs. Read more](https://ateasephysio.ca/blog/get-moving-with-kinesiology) [Decoding Core Activation: Muscles in Harmony Understanding how your core muscles work together to provide stability, support posture, and prevent injuries - and who can benefit from core assessment. Read more](https://ateasephysio.ca/blog/decoding-core-activation) ## Ready to Start Your Recovery? Book your initial assessment with one of our experienced physiotherapists at South Surrey. [Book an appointment](https://ateasephysio.janeapp.com/) [Call +1 604 923 8323](tel:+16049238323)