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What are the treatment options for knee pain?
What causes knee pain?
Some causes of knee pain include:
- Osteoarthritis – this causes pain and stiffness in your joints and commonly affects the knee. It’s the most common cause of knee pain in people older than 45 years
- Ligament injuries – such as anterior cruciate ligament injury, posterior cruciate ligament injury, lateral collateral ligament injury, and medial collateral ligament injury
- Patellar tendinopathy – this is common in people who play sports that involve lots of jumping
- Patellofemoral pain syndrome – also known as ‘runner’s knee’
- Ilio-tibial band syndrome – this can cause pain on the outside of the knee, particularly in athletes
- Meniscal tear – this is an injury to the cartilage in your knee, which can cause pain and swelling
- Gout – this is a type of arthritis that can affect your knees, as well as other joints
- Bursitis – your knee contains fluid-filled sacs called bursa, which can become inflamed and cause pain and swelling. This is called bursitis.
Who can treat knee pain?
If your knee is sore, you may decide to see your GP. Your GP will examine both of your knees and ask about your history of knee pain, to try and work out what’s causing the pain.
Your GP will usually refer you to another healthcare service, depending on what they suspect the problem may be. In some situations, they’ll refer you to a specialist. If you have osteoarthritis, for example, they may refer you to a musculoskeletal clinic or physiotherapist.
Conservative treatment, including physiotherapy, is usually recommended as a first step to treat knee pain. This is because most people recover well using non-invasive therapy. But if your knee pain is severe, ongoing or affects your normal daily activities, you may be referred to a surgeon.
Which treatment is best for knee pain?
The best treatment for knee pain might be different for different people. For example, two people with the same knee injury may have very different levels of activity or pain thresholds. So, treatment options will differ, depending on what’s best for each person.
Many knee injuries can be successfully treated with optimal loading, support for the joint, and physiotherapy. Ice can help ease pain, but it might not help with the swelling.
Infographic: POLICE principles
Bupa's POLICE infographic (PDF, 0.5 MB), illustrates the ‘POLICE principles’ to reduce your pain and help you to recover. Click on the POLICE image below to download the PDF.
If you have a muscle, bone or joint problem, our direct access service aims to provide you with the advice, support and treatment you need as quickly as possible. If you’re covered by your health insurance, you’ll be able to get advice from a physiotherapist usually without the need for a GP referral. Learn more today.
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This information was published by Bupa's Health Content Team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been reviewed by appropriate medical or clinical professionals and deemed accurate on the date of review. Photos are only for illustrative purposes and do not reflect every presentation of a condition.
Any information about a treatment or procedure is generic, and does not necessarily describe that treatment or procedure as delivered by Bupa or its associated providers.
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