Why Does My Knee Hurt?

Why Does My Knee Hurt? Common Causes of Knee Pain — and What to Do About It

Knee pain is one of the most common reasons people seek physiotherapy. It can come on suddenly after an injury, or slowly over time with everyday activities like walking, climbing stairs, or exercising.

Understanding why your knee hurts is the first step toward fixing it properly — not just managing symptoms. Below, we explain the most common causes of knee pain and how physiotherapy can help.

Common Reasons Your Knee Hurts

1) Muscle-Related Knee Pain

Sometimes the knee itself isn’t the main problem.

Weakness or tightness in the quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, or calf muscles can change how forces are absorbed through the knee. This often leads to overload and pain, particularly during walking, squatting, or stairs.

Physiotherapy focuses on improving strength, control, and movement patterns to reduce strain on the knee.

2) Patellofemoral Pain (Kneecap Pain)

Pain around or behind the kneecap is one of the most common causes of knee pain, especially in active people.

Symptoms often include:

• Pain going up or down stairs
• Discomfort after sitting for long periods
• Pain with squatting, running, or jumping

This pain is often related to load management and movement control, rather than structural damage.

3) Tendon-Related Knee Pain

Tendons connect muscle to bone and can become irritated when load exceeds their capacity.

Common tendon conditions include:

• Patellar tendinopathy (below the kneecap)
• Quadriceps tendinopathy (above the kneecap)

Pain is usually felt during or after activity and may worsen with jumping, running, or sudden increases in training load.

4) Meniscus-Related Pain

The meniscus is a shock-absorbing cartilage inside the knee.

Meniscus issues may cause:

• Localised joint line pain
• Swelling after activity
• Stiffness or reduced movement

Not all meniscus tears require surgery. Many improve with appropriate rehabilitation, especially when there is no true locking or instability.

5) Ligament Injuries

Ligaments stabilise the knee. Injuries can occur with twisting, sudden direction changes, or trauma.

Common ligament injuries include:

• MCL (medial collateral ligament)
• ACL (anterior cruciate ligament)

Symptoms may include pain, swelling, or a feeling of instability. Physiotherapy plays a key role in both non-surgical and post-surgical recovery.

6) Arthritis and Age-Related Changes

Osteoarthritis is a common cause of knee pain, particularly as we get older.

Typical symptoms include:

• Pain and stiffness, especially after rest
• Swelling
• Reduced tolerance to walking or standing

Importantly, pain does not always match X-ray findings. Physiotherapy can significantly improve function and reduce pain, even with arthritis.

7) Referred Pain from the Hip or Lower Back

Sometimes knee pain is referred from elsewhere.

Hip stiffness, weakness, or lower back issues can change how forces travel through the knee, leading to pain even when the knee itself looks “normal.”

A full physiotherapy assessment looks beyond just the knee.

When Should I Be Concerned About Knee Pain?

You should seek assessment if you experience:

• Persistent pain lasting more than a few weeks
• Swelling that doesn’t settle
• Knee giving way or locking
• Pain that limits walking, stairs, or sport
• Pain following a fall or twisting injury

Early assessment often leads to faster recovery.

How Physiotherapy Helps Knee Pain

At AlphaCare Physio in Marion and Mitchell Park, treatment is tailored to the cause of your knee pain and may include:

• Strength and control exercises
• Load management guidance
• Movement retraining
• Manual therapy where appropriate
• Advice on returning to work, sport, or daily activities

The goal is not just pain relief, but long-term knee health and confidence in movement.

Book a Knee Pain Assessment at AlphaCare Physio

Knee pain is common — but living with it doesn’t have to be.

At AlphaCare Physio, we identify the real cause of your knee pain and guide you through a personalised rehabilitation plan so you can move comfortably and confidently again.