Knee Pain — Causes, Tests and Treatment Options
Also described as knee joint pain, painful knee, knee swelling.
Knee pain that builds gradually with stiffness after rest usually reflects osteoarthritis, while pain immediately after a twisting injury suggests a ligament or meniscus tear. Most knee pain is managed without surgery — weight control, physiotherapy and injections — and replacement is considered only when those fail.
🚨 Get emergency care if you have
- •A knee that gives way or locks in position
- •Inability to bear weight after an injury
- •A hot, red, swollen knee with fever — possible joint infection
- •Rapid swelling within an hour of injury
- •Calf swelling and pain alongside knee pain
What causes knee pain?
Knee osteoarthritis
Gradual pain with stiffness after rest, worse on stairs and squatting.
Meniscus tear
Pain after twisting, with catching, locking or a sense of giving way.
Ligament injury
Sudden pain and swelling after a sports or road injury, with instability.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Symmetrical joint pain with prolonged morning stiffness and systemic symptoms.
Patellofemoral pain
Pain around the kneecap in younger adults, worse on stairs and prolonged sitting.
How it is investigated
- ✓Clinical examination of ligaments and menisci
- ✓Weight-bearing X-ray of both knees
- ✓MRI where a soft-tissue tear is suspected
- ✓Joint fluid aspiration if infection or gout is possible
Not every patient needs every test. The consultation decides which of these apply to you.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a knee replacement?▼
Most people with knee arthritis never do. Replacement is considered when pain limits walking and sleep despite weight management, physiotherapy, medication and injections, and when X-rays show advanced joint damage. It is a quality-of-life decision, not an automatic consequence of arthritis on a scan.
Is climbing stairs bad for knee arthritis?▼
Stairs load the kneecap heavily and often hurt, but avoiding all activity weakens the quadriceps, which worsens the problem. The aim is to stay active in ways that load the joint less — level walking, cycling, swimming — while strengthening the thigh muscles.
This page is general health information, not a diagnosis or a substitute for a consultation. Symptoms overlap between harmless and serious conditions, and only an examination can tell them apart. If you are worried, see a doctor.
Plan your first visit
Not sure which specialist to see? Tell our care team the reason for your visit and we will help you choose.
- Bring previous prescriptions, relevant test reports or scan images, a medication list and photo ID.
- If you plan to use insurance, bring your policy details. OPD, tests and admission benefits depend on your individual plan and approval.
- Your first consultation determines which tests or treatments are needed; not everyone needs every test listed on this page.
Appointments are requests until confirmed. In a medical emergency, call 044 2025 2025 or go to the nearest emergency department.