Knee Pain Physiotherapy
Knee pain is one of the most common reasons people seek physiotherapy. It affects people of all ages and activity levels, from teenagers dealing with growing pains and sport injuries to adults managing the effects of years of wear and load. The knee is a complex joint that relies heavily on the strength and coordination of the surrounding muscles, as well as how the hip and ankle are moving and loading above and below it.
At Onward Physiotherapy in Lidcombe, knee pain is assessed in full context. The knee joint, the surrounding tendons and ligaments, and the contribution of the hip, pelvis, and foot are all considered as part of a thorough initial assessment. Understanding what is driving your symptoms is the foundation of effective treatment.
Types of Knee Pain We Treat
Patellofemoral pain
Pain at the front of the knee around or behind the kneecap. Common in runners, cyclists, and those who squat or climb stairs frequently. Often related to how the kneecap is tracking during movement, which is influenced by hip strength, foot posture, and quadriceps control.
Patellar tendinopathy
Pain at the bottom of the kneecap where the patellar tendon attaches. Common in jumping sports, running, and activities involving repeated knee loading. Also known as jumper’s knee.
Iliotibial band syndrome (ITB syndrome)
Pain on the outer side of the knee, typically felt during running or cycling. Caused by irritation of the iliotibial band as it moves across the lateral knee. Common in runners increasing their mileage.
Meniscus injuries
The menisci are two cartilage structures inside the knee that act as shock absorbers. Tears can occur from a sudden twisting injury or gradually through wear and load. Symptoms include pain, swelling, clicking, and difficulty fully bending or straightening the knee.
ACL and ligament injuries
Injuries to the anterior cruciate ligament and other knee ligaments, commonly from pivoting, landing, or contact in sport. Physiotherapy plays a central role in both non-surgical management and post-surgical rehabilitation following ACL reconstruction.
Knee osteoarthritis
Gradual wear to the knee joint cartilage causing pain, stiffness, and swelling. Physiotherapy focuses on maintaining movement, building strength in the surrounding muscles, and managing load to support function and quality of life.
Knee bursitis
Inflammation of one of the fluid-filled sacs around the knee, causing localised swelling and pain. Common in those who kneel frequently or following a direct impact.
Growing pains and adolescent knee conditions
Including Osgood-Schlatter disease, a common cause of pain just below the kneecap in active adolescents during growth phases. Common in young athletes in running and jumping sports.
Post-surgical knee rehabilitation
Following ACL reconstruction, knee replacement, meniscal repair, or other knee surgery, physiotherapy supports recovery of movement, strength, and return to sport or daily function.
Knee pain in runners and dancers
Overuse knee conditions specific to running and dance, including patellofemoral pain, fat pad impingement, and patellar tendinopathy. Assessed with an understanding of the specific demands of each activity.
Common Symptoms of Knee Pain
Knee pain can present in different ways depending on the structure involved. Common symptoms include:
– Pain at the front, inner, outer, or back of the knee
– Swelling or puffiness around the joint
– Stiffness after rest or first thing in the morning
– Pain when going up or down stairs
– Aching during or after running, cycling, or sport
– A clicking, locking, or catching sensation in the knee
– Giving way or a feeling of instability
– Pain with squatting, kneeling, or prolonged sitting
– Tenderness along the joint line or tendon
How Physiotherapy Can Help Knee Pain
Physiotherapy for knee pain aims to reduce pain, restore movement, and build the strength and control needed to return to your activities. For many knee conditions, the hip and lower limb play a significant role in how the knee loads, and treatment addresses these contributing factors alongside the knee itself.
At Onward Physiotherapy, treatment is tailored to your assessment findings and goals. Depending on your presentation, treatment may include:
– Manual therapy to improve knee joint movement and reduce stiffness
– Soft tissue work for quadriceps, hamstring, calf, and ITB tension
– Progressive knee and hip strengthening exercises
– Movement retraining to address loading patterns through the knee, hip, and foot
– Balance and proprioception retraining, particularly following ligament injury
– Dry needling for muscle tension and pain management where clinically appropriate
– Taping and bracing advice for return to sport or activity
– Load management for runners, dancers, and those returning to exercise
– Rehabilitation programs following knee surgery
Sessions run for 40 to 45 minutes, giving our physiotherapists enough time to both treat and progress your rehabilitation within each appointment.
What to Expect at Your First Appointment
Your first appointment is 45 minutes. Our physiotherapists will ask about your knee pain history, how and when symptoms started, what aggravates and eases them, and what activities you want to return to.
A physical assessment follows. This looks at knee movement, joint stability, tendon and ligament integrity, muscle strength and control, and how the hip, pelvis, and foot are contributing to how your knee loads. From there, a treatment plan is discussed with you, including a realistic timeframe and clear guidance on what you can and cannot do during recovery.
You do not need a referral to book.
Pricing
– Initial consultation: $130 for 45 minutes
– Follow up: $120 for 40 minutes
– Extended consultation: $200 for 90 minutes (for complex or post-surgical presentations)
– Medicare: $61.80 rebate processed on the spot with a Chronic Condition Management Plan from your GP
– WorkCover and CTP: billed direct to your insurer with no out-of-pocket cost
FAQ — Knee Pain Physiotherapy
How do I know if my knee pain needs physiotherapy?
If your knee pain is affecting your ability to walk, exercise, climb stairs, or carry out daily tasks, physiotherapy is a good next step. You do not need a referral or scan before booking.
Do I need a scan before seeing a physiotherapist for knee pain?
No. Most knee pain is assessed and managed effectively without imaging. Our physiotherapists will advise you at your appointment if a scan would provide useful information for your presentation.
Can physiotherapy help with knee pain from running?
Yes. Knee pain in runners, including patellofemoral pain, ITB syndrome, and patellar tendinopathy, is commonly treated at the clinic. Treatment addresses the specific structures involved alongside load management and a structured return to running. Running biomechanical assessments are also available for those who want a more detailed analysis of their technique and injury risk.
Can physiotherapy help after an ACL injury?
Yes. Physiotherapy plays a central role in both non-surgical ACL management and post-surgical rehabilitation following ACL reconstruction. Rehabilitation focuses on restoring movement, rebuilding strength and control, and progressing through a structured return to sport program.
Can physiotherapy help with knee osteoarthritis?
Yes. Exercise-based physiotherapy is a recommended approach for knee osteoarthritis. Treatment focuses on building strength in the muscles that support the knee, improving movement, and managing load to support ongoing function and quality of life.
Can physiotherapy help with knee pain in adolescents?
Yes. Conditions such as Osgood-Schlatter disease are commonly treated at the clinic. Our physiotherapists work with young athletes and their families to manage symptoms while maintaining as much activity as possible during growth and recovery.
Can physiotherapy help with knee pain in dancers?
Yes. Knee conditions in dancers, including patellofemoral pain, fat pad impingement, and patellar tendinopathy, are treated at the clinic with an understanding of dance-specific demands and training loads.
How many sessions will I need for knee pain?
This depends on the condition, how long symptoms have been present, and your goals. Some presentations improve significantly within a few sessions. Others, such as post-surgical rehabilitation or chronic tendinopathy, require a longer structured program. Our physiotherapists will give you a realistic plan at your first appointment.
Is knee pain related to hip or foot problems?
Often yes. The knee sits between the hip and the foot, and how both of those areas load and move directly affects the knee. If hip weakness, foot posture, or movement patterns are contributing to your knee pain, these are addressed as part of your treatment.
Where is the clinic located?
Onward Physiotherapy is at 9 East Street, Lidcombe NSW 2141, inside Studio D at IMI Entertainment. The clinic is close to Lidcombe Station on the T1 and T2 lines and serves patients from across Western and Inner West Sydney including Strathfield, Auburn, Burwood, Parramatta, Rhodes, Homebush, and Sydney Olympic Park.