Knee Pain - What causes it? What are the Symptoms? How do we Treat it?
Find out what’s causing your knee pain, and how we treat it, at a CQC-registered clinic led by a GMC-registered doctor.
CQC Regulated Clinic
Ultrasound Guided Procedure
No GP Referral Required
Manchester and Burnley Clinic
Where is your knee pain?
Tap the marker nearest to where it hurts. We’ll show the conditions that most often cause pain there.
Pinpoint your pain
Select where it hurts and the likely causes will appear here.
- Runner's knee (patellofemoral pain) read →
- Osteoarthritis read →
- Chondromalacia patella read →
- Knee bursitis read →
- Patellar tendinitis (jumper's knee) soon
- Osgood-Schlatter (younger patients) soon
- IT band syndrome soon
- Lateral meniscus tear read →
- Baker's cyst read →
- Hamstring tendinopathy soon
- Osteoarthritis read →
- Rheumatoid / inflammatory arthritis read →
- Osteochondral defect soon
- Pain after knee replacement soon
INTRODUCTION
Understanding Knee Pain
Knee pain is one of the most common complaints in adults, most often after the age of 35. It’s frequently linked to wear and tear from everyday activity, walking, standing, bending and lifting, and is more common in people who run, jump or pivot in sport.
The knee is one of the largest and most complex joints in the body. It’s made up of the femur (thighbone), patella (kneecap) and tibia (shinbone), cushioned by cartilage and held together by ligaments and tendons. When any of these structures is injured, inflamed or worn, the result is pain.
Most minor knee pain responds well to self care. The RICE approach (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation), alongside over the counter pain relief, is the sensible first step. If pain is severe, or it isn’t settling, a proper assessment finds the exact cause so it can be treated directly.
SYMPTOMS
How Knee Pain may Present
Knee pain rarely turns up on its own. It usually comes with other signs, and the mix of those signs is often the biggest clue to what’s behind it. Here is how knee problems most commonly present.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms or signs it may be worth booking a consultation to get to the bottom of the cause. At My MSK Clinic our expert GMC registered doctor will perform a thorough examination, which may include an ultrasound scan of the knee, and take a detailed history to produce a personalised treatment plan for you.
Swelling
A tight, full feeling in or around the joint as fluid builds up. Fast swelling after a twist suggests a ligament or meniscus injury; slow swelling is more typical of arthritis.
Stiffness
A knee that’s hard to move, especially first thing in the morning or after sitting a while. Stiffness that eases once you get going is a classic sign of osteoarthritis.
Clicking or Grinding
Noises or a gritty sensation as you bend or straighten. On its own this is usually harmless, but paired with pain it can point to cartilage wear.
Reduced Movement
Not being able to fully bend or straighten the knee, whether that’s from swelling, pain, or something mechanically blocking the joint.
Locking or Catching
The knee gets stuck mid movement, or something feels like it’s blocking it. This mechanical symptom often points to a meniscus tear or a loose fragment in the joint.
Giving Way
A sense that the knee might buckle or won’t take your weight. This feeling of instability frequently signals a ligament problem, such as an ACL injury.
Warmth or Redness
A sense that the knee might buckle or won’t take your weight. This feeling of instability frequently signals a ligament problem, such as an ACL injury.
Pain on Movement
Discomfort that flares on stairs, when squatting or kneeling, while running, or after long spells sitting. When the pain strikes can be as telling as where it’s felt.
CAUSES
What are the Causes of Knee Pain?
We have discussed common symptoms and signs of knee pin but what are its causes? Below we will mention a few conditions that patients commonly present with and link to their respective pages, where you can read more about them.
If you feel you may have any of these conditions we recommend speaking with a health care professional. At My MSK Clinic we provide a consultation where the doctor assesses your knee to determine what the underlying cause is of your pain.
Osteoarthritis
The leading cause of knee pain in adults. Cartilage gradually wears down, so bones begin to rub together, causing pain, swelling and stiffness.
Joint pain, swelling with weather changes, crackling, limited movement, thigh weakness.
Mensicus Tear
The meniscis is the knee’s shock absorber. Twisting, deep squatting, or in older adults, degeneration can tear it.
Baker's Cyst
Excess synovial fluid collects behind the knee, often triggered by arthritis or a cartilage tear.
Runners Knee
Patellofemoral pain around or behind the kneecap, from repetitive load or muscle imbalance around the hip and thigh.
Pain around the kneecap on activity or long sitting, clicking, tender kneecap.
Knee Bursitis
Inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs that cushion the knee, often from kneeling, pressure or arthritis.
Ligament Sprain (MCL)
The knee’s ligaments keep it stable side to side. The medial (inner) ligament is the most commonly sprained.
This list does not cover all the causes of Knee Pain. If you are concerned about knee pain we recommend seeing a healthcare professional.
How we diagnose your knee pain
Every patient follows the same clear, structured pathway, designed to identify the precise cause of your knee pain and match it to the most appropriate treatment.
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1
Persistent knee pain
Knee pain that has not settled with rest, or that is affecting your daily activities, sport or sleep, warrants a proper assessment rather than continued guesswork.
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2
Initial consultation
You refer yourself directly to My MSK Clinic, with no GP referral or waiting list, and are seen by a GMC-registered doctor specialising in musculoskeletal medicine.
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3
Clinical assessment and diagnosis
The doctor takes a thorough history and examines the knee, using in-clinic diagnostic ultrasound to identify the precise cause of your symptoms rather than treat them blindly.
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4
Personalised treatment plan
Your diagnosis guides a treatment plan tailored to you and agreed together. Depending on the findings, this may involve:
Injection therapy Physiotherapy & rehabilitation Further imaging (X-ray or MRI) Specialist or surgical referralIn every case, the doctor advises the most appropriate, evidence-based option for you.
TREATMENTS
How We Treat Knee Pain
At My MSK Clinic we offer a range of options for treating knee pain. Once the doctor has assessed your knee they may suggest a treatment that is suitable for your knee joint. All injections at My MSK Clinic are performed by a GMC registered doctor under ultrasound guidance to ensure they are as accurate as possible.
Suffering from Joint Arthritis? Hyaluronic Acid Lubricates and acts as a shock absorber in your joints.
Cortisone Injections are a powerful anti inflammatory medicine. They can relieve pain fast
PRP uses your own bodies healing factors to increase repair in joints/tendons.
Arthrosamid is one of our most Powerful knee Injections. It eases knee osteoarthritis symptoms.
Durolane Injections are a form of strong Hyaluronic Acid. They are an excellent option for patients with joint arthritis pain.
Prolotherapy is a option for persistent or chronic joint, tendon or ligament pain. Aiming to support and strengthen the joint .
WHY MYMSK
Why Choose My MSK Clinic?
Ultrasound Accuracy
All our injections are done under Ultrasound Guidance.
Same Day Option
Diagnosis and Injections usually done at same appointment
No Waiting List
You can Self Refer directly to MyMSK Clinic – No Referral required.
OUR CLINICS
Where can you get treatment for Knee Pain?
We treat patients at two clinics in the North West. Easy to reach for Greater Manchester, Salford, Bury, Bolton, Oldham and the wider Lancashire area.
TESTIMONIALS
Knee Pain Treatment Reviews at My MSK Clinic
We’re proud of the outcomes we help our patients achieve. Below are some real testimonials from our Manchester and Burnley patients.
These testimonials are all collected from our profile on Google.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I feel knee pain when squatting?
If you are experiencing sharp pain in your knee while squatting, there is a chance that you are suffering from a torn meniscus. This is one of the most common causes of knee injuries and can result from heavy lifting, kneeling, or deep squatting.
Why do I feel pain when running?
Experiencing knee pain while running is one of the most common symptoms of patella-femoral pain, also known as the runner’s knee. Jumping or running sports that put repetitive stress on the knee joint can irritate the knee cap, resulting in patella-femoral pain.
Why do I feel knee pain when walking downstairs?
Normally, our cartilage is responsible for lubricating the knee joint and keeping the kneecap stable. You may experience knee pain while descending the stairs if your cartilage is damaged, allowing the kneecap to slide out of position. Now, this may happen due to regular wear & tear, degeneration, or an injury. If you are experiencing knee pain when walking downstairs, it’s most likely that you are suffering from Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome, Chondromalacia Patella, or Osteoarthritis.
Why do I feel pain behind the knee?
Pain behind the knee joint is one of the underlying symptoms of Baker’s cyst. This occurs when the knee produces an excessive amount of synovial fluid, which results in fluid build-up in the popliteal bursa (an area in the back of your knee).
Concerned about Knee Pain?
Book in for a Consultation with a GMC registered Doctor. In-house Ultrasound Scanning available. No GP Referral Required. Same day treatment if Suitable.
PAGE MEDICALLY REVIEWED BY DR AMIR AKHTAR JULY 2026
Dr Amir Akhtar
certification
GMC Registered Doctor and CQC Regulated Clinic
