Knee pain
Knee pain doesn’t always start at the knee. We look at how your hip and ankle move too, because one of them is often part of the story.
What people usually describe
- An ache that flares up after running, squatting or stairs
- A knee that feels unstable or tires quickly
- Stiffness after sitting for a while
- Discomfort that lingers after activity rather than fading
Not just the knee
Knee pain is a whole-body story more often than it looks. The knee sits between the hip and the ankle, so when either of those isn’t moving well, the knee is usually the joint that ends up absorbing the difference. We don’t just look at where it hurts, we look at how your hip, ankle and knee move as one chain, because treating the knee on its own often means the same strain builds right back up.
What's usually behind it
Two joints, some way from the knee itself, often turn out to be part of the picture.
The hip
When the hip isn’t moving or working the way it should, the knee often takes on load it wasn’t built to carry alone.
The ankle
A stiff or unstable ankle changes how force travels up your leg with every step, and the knee is usually the next joint in line.
How we'd approach it
Knee pain rarely starts and ends at the knee. We look at the hip and ankle too, and treat the chain, not just the joint that complains.
At your first visitWe watch you walk, squat and move. Then we assess your knee, hips, ankles and feet to understand what may be contributing to your pain.
What treatment usually includesHands-on care for your whole body, with extra attention to your knee, alongside exercises to improve movement, strength and coordination.
Between visitsSimple exercises to build strength and balance, plus practical guidance on walking, training and gradually returning to the activities you enjoy.
One step at a time
A first visit starts with a proper look at your hip, ankle and knee, not just the spot that hurts. If we think this needs a different kind of care, we’ll say so.
