Symptom
Knee pain: understanding and assessing your symptoms
Does your knee hurt when walking, climbing stairs or after sitting for a long time? Your symptoms may have started after an injury or developed gradually. There are several possible causes, including injuries, tendon irritation or joint conditions. The location of the pain alone cannot establish a reliable diagnosis.
When should you seek help promptly?
Have your knee assessed urgently if you can barely move it or put weight on it, or if it is very swollen or visibly deformed. This also applies to a hot, red knee accompanied by fever or feeling very unwell. In these situations, do not wait for a routine online enquiry to be processed.
If practices are closed and treatment cannot wait, call 116117 for help. In a life-threatening emergency, call 112.
Open individual sections or all the details on this page.
Understanding
What matters for the examination?
Describe as specifically as possible how long you have had the pain and when it occurs. Was there an accident? Does the knee swell? Does it feel unstable, or are you unable to move it fully?
During the consultation, we will also discuss which journeys on foot and activities you find difficult. The physical examination and any existing findings help us decide on the next steps.
What pain location, swelling and instability can tell us
Pain at the front of the knee may come from the area between the kneecap and thighbone. Our page on patellofemoral symptoms explains the relationship between loading the knee and gradually building up activity in a way that suits you. A swelling behind the knee may be a Baker’s cyst, but any new swelling needs to be assessed first. A calf that suddenly becomes swollen and painful needs prompt examination.
A knee that feels unstable also needs a more precise description: does the kneecap slip out of its groove, or does the knee give way when you turn? Recurrent kneecap dislocations and a cruciate ligament tear affect different structures. Leg alignment may also play a part in the assessment. If pain is accompanied by stiffness or pain when you first start moving, osteoarthritis is also considered. Locking after an injury may indicate a meniscal injury, among other causes. However, the location or sensation alone does not determine the diagnosis.
Further information
Do I need an X-ray or MRI scan?
That depends on what needs to be clarified. Imaging is not automatically necessary for typical knee osteoarthritis. An abnormal scan or X-ray finding also does not always explain how severe the symptoms are.
How we plan the next step with you
After the examination, we want to answer a specific question with you: which limitation should improve first, and which approach suits the cause we have identified? This might involve gradually building up activity to suit your capacity, physiotherapy, a support or other aid, or a further investigation. Not every knee problem needs the same treatment, and not every imaging finding explains the symptoms.
Tell us which walks, stairs or activities have become difficult. Existing images, medical reports and details of exercises you have already tried help us build on your previous care. If there is a significant new deterioration, we review the plan. For warning signs, follow the urgent-care advice at the beginning of this page.
What to expect and next steps
What can you bring to your appointment?
Existing medical reports, accessible scan or X-ray images and results, and an up-to-date medication list are helpful. Also make a note of treatments you have already tried and what helped.
Your next step
