Knee pain is a common issue with causes ranging from temporary injuries to chronic conditions like arthritis. The knee is a complex joint that supports body weight and absorbs shock, making it prone to overuse injuries, ligament tears, tendinitis, and osteoarthritis—especially in older adults. Symptoms may include swelling, discolouration, grinding sensations, or popping sounds. Diagnosis involves physical exams, imaging, and sometimes blood tests to identify the root cause.
Treatment depends on severity. Minor injuries may be managed with the RICE method (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation), while non-surgical treatments include physiotherapy, NSAIDs, joint injections (like hyaluronic acid or PRP), and lifestyle changes such as weight loss. Knee replacement surgery is recommended when joint damage is severe and unresponsive to other treatments. It involves replacing worn-out cartilage and bone with prosthetic materials, followed by intensive rehabilitation. Choosing between non-surgical treatment and surgery depends on joint damage severity, and should be decided with a doctor’s guidance.
The knee joint is the connection between the thigh bone and the shin bone. It is made of a slippery cartilage cushioned between two fluid-filled membranes that lubricate it during movement. It also has ligaments, muscles and tendons holding the joint together, and nerves and blood vessels passing through. It does a lot of work carrying your body weight around and absorbs shocks as you move around. The knee joint is clearly a marvel of engineering in the human body.
Knee pain is a common symptom – It can have causes that vary from a temporary injury to chronic arthritis. Some of the most common knee injuries are sports injuries – ACL or MCL (ligament) tears, sprains, dislocations, meniscus tears and fractures. People above the age of 40 often have overuse injuries, arthritis, tendinitis, osteoarthritis or osteoporosis causing their pain. Patients suffering from knee pain may also have discolouration around the knees, a grinding feeling or a popping sound while using the joint and swelling in the area. Being overweight and a lack of strength and mobility in your muscles can increase your risk of knee problems or make existing knee problems worse.
If your knee is painful and swollen, and you feel like you can’t move around comfortably, you need to visit a doctor as soon as possible. The doctor will likely begin with a medical history and a physical exam. They will look for swelling, pain and signs of bruising on the knee. They will also check how well the joint is moving, and check at which points of movement you have pain. The doctor may also perform imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans, ultrasound scans and MRI scans. These scans provide insight into any bone or soft tissue injury that may be causing the knee pain. If you have significant swelling and inflammation, the doctor may also perform a panel of blood tests. The diagnosis process is crucial to treatment, because knee pain on its own is just a symptom. Identifying the cause of the knee pain is necessary to decide on which course of treatment to take.
When it comes to knee pain, there is no single, miracle cure. The treatment protocol depends on the severity and cause of the knee pain. The goals of treatment are usually:
For minor injuries in younger patients, they may be able to treat it at home with the RICE method:
Rest – Rest, and avoid moving the painful knee joint. The joint needs rest to heal itself, and immobilising it prevent further injury.
Ice – Apply ice on the knee for 15 minutes every hour. Do this for the first day of your injury, to relieve pain and reduce swelling.
Compression – Compression bandages help reduce blood flow to the injury, and reduce swelling. You need to be careful not to tie it too tightly – A doctor or nurse can demonstrate how to correctly wrap a compression bandage around your knee.
Elevation – Prop up your knee on pillows or cushions. The key is to elevate the knee above the level of your heart. This helps reduce inflammation.
Non-surgical treatments are the first line of defence for mild to moderate knee pain. These treatment methods are conservative, but still effective. Patients may be recommended a combination of physical therapy, medication, assistive devices and weight management.
Medication for knee pain can help reduce pain and inflammation. Take these tablets only for as long as prescribed by your doctor, and do not continue them without consulting your doctor again. You may also need medicines injected directly into the joint. Hyaluronic acid is often injected directly into the knee joint when knee pain is caused by wear and tear on the fluid-filled membranes. The hyaluronic acid acts as a lubricant, reducing friction in the joint and improving mobility. Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy may also be injected to reduce inflammation and promote healing.
Physical Therapy strengthens the muscles around the knee, stabilising the joint. The physiotherapist will assess your condition and guide you through a series of strengthening exercises during your session. The exercises may also correct improper movement technique, that is causing undue wear and tear on your knees. Certain patients also require assistive devices like knee braces to protect and support the knee.
Excess body weight puts a lot of stress on the knees, and reducing weight can help patients with chronic knee pain, especially osteoarthritis. Being overweight also causes inflammation in the body, which can affect the joints. Making lifestyle modifications, like a healthier diet and low- to moderate-intensity exercise can help you lose weight and alleviate your knee pain.
Knee replacement surgery is recommended to patients with acute knee pain, often caused by damage to the cartilage, meniscus and synovial fluid membranes. When these cushioning parts of the joint get worn down with use, the femur and the tibia rub up against each other while you move. This is extremely painful. Patients typically do not respond well to pain medication and physiotherapy, because the parts of the joint which are worn out cannot re-grow on their own. In such cases, a knee replacement surgery is needed.
A knee replacement, also known as a knee arthroplasty, is an invasive surgical procedure, requiring a hospital stay and a course of post-surgical rehabilitation. In younger adults, who don’t have wide-spread knee damage yet, a partial knee replacement may be enough. During the surgery, the patient will be under anaesthesia. The surgeon makes an open incision over the knee and removes the damaged cartilage and bone. The knee-prosthesis, usually made of inert ceramics, plastic or metal alloys, is then inserted into place. The incision is closed with stitches or surgical tape. A drain may also be placed, to remove excess fluid build-up around the incision.
Recovery after a knee surgery is as important as the procedure itself. The patient will usually be asked to stay in the hospital for several days after surgery. They must be monitored regularly, and begin physical therapy within 24 hours of the procedure. The physiotherapist will teach you the proper exercises to regain full mobility of the knee, and also set safe limits for how much you can move and how often. Typically, the patient will be asked to practice walking with a cane or a walker, and perform exercises like bending and straightening the knee (flexion). It’s also important to set safe limits to avoid overusing the knee.
The patient will be given medicines and home remedies to treat post-surgical swelling and pain. If you feel severe pain and swelling, please call your doctor immediately. After the patient is able to move with assistive aids, they may be sent home to continue rest and recovery. The patient may be asked to come in once or twice a week for physiotherapy sessions, practicing the exercises independently at home on the other days. More advanced exercises, like hip abductions, heel raises, step ups and mini squats may be added in later in the physiotherapy process.
The recovery for knee replacement surgery is a long-term process, and may continue for about 4 to 6 weeks after the procedure. In the mean time, patients will be advised not to drive, travel, lift weights or even walk too much. If you have to travel or exert yourself at some point during the recovery process, discuss it with your physiotherapist and your doctor, to stay safe.
It depends – On how worn out your knees are. For patients with mild pain and low wear and tear on their knees, a knee replacement is not required. For patients who are elderly, with severe damage to their knee joint, a knee replacement can help. Knee Replacement surgery is also an invasive, open procedure, and takes you on a long, difficult recovery journey. It is important to consider the patient’s baseline health and strength to handle surgery. Your doctor is the best judge of this, so discuss your knee pain with your doctor, and consider their educated opinion. This will be a good guide.
Knee pain can result from temporary injuries like sprains or fractures, or chronic conditions such as arthritis, tendinitis, and osteoarthritis. Overuse, excess weight, and poor mobility can also contribute to knee pain.
You should consult a doctor if you experience severe pain, swelling, discoloration, or if you are unable to move your knee comfortably. Early diagnosis helps in choosing the right treatment.
RICE stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. It’s a first-aid approach for minor knee injuries that helps reduce pain and swelling.
Yes, non-surgical treatments like physiotherapy, NSAIDs, joint injections (hyaluronic acid or PRP), lifestyle changes, and weight management are effective for many cases of mild to moderate knee pain.
Knee replacement surgery involves replacing the damaged joint surfaces with prosthetic components. It is recommended for patients with severe, chronic pain due to cartilage or bone damage that doesn’t improve with other treatments.
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