Knee pain is one of the most common reasons people walk into a sports physio clinic — and one of the most commonly mistreated. The right rehab depends entirely on the right diagnosis. Here’s how I work through the common causes.
The common knee pain patterns
Knee pain looks like one symptom but has many possible causes. The most frequent in active adults and athletes:
Patellofemoral pain (runner’s knee)
Pain at the front of the kneecap, especially with stairs, prolonged sitting, squatting, or running. Common in runners and CrossFit athletes. Driven by hip and quad strength, movement patterns, and load management. Almost always responds well to a structured strength program rather than rest.
Patellar tendinopathy (jumper’s knee)
Pain just below the kneecap, typically loaded with jumping, running, or squatting. Heavy slow resistance training (eccentric and isometric loading) is the evidence-based first line.
Meniscus injuries
Pain on twisting, locking, catching, or giving way. Some meniscus tears need surgery; many don’t. A thorough examination — not an MRI alone — should drive that decision. Conservative rehab focused on strength and movement quality is often successful.
ACL injury
Often a clear mechanism: a non-contact twist, a pop, swelling within hours. Rehab post-reconstruction is a 9–12 month process with structured progression and objective return-to-play testing. Read more on ACL recovery.
IT band syndrome
Lateral knee pain in runners, typically worse downhill or with longer distances. Driven by hip strength, training load, and biomechanics — not by “a tight IT band.”
Knee osteoarthritis
Stiffness, deep ache, often in older active adults. Strength training, weight management where relevant, and graded activity reduce symptoms and improve function. Surgery is sometimes appropriate but is rarely the first option.
Post-operative knee
Whether it’s an ACL reconstruction, meniscus repair, or knee replacement, post-op rehab needs to follow your surgeon’s protocol and progress through clear phases. Working in post-operative orthopaedic rehabilitation is one of my main clinical interests.
Why a thorough first appointment matters
The single biggest factor in successful knee pain rehab is getting the diagnosis right. A 30-minute consultation often isn’t enough time to fully assess the knee, examine the surrounding joints (hip, ankle), and run movement and strength testing. My initial consultations are 45 minutes precisely because the differential diagnosis matters — and the rehab depends on it.
Active rehab is the answer for most knee pain
The contemporary evidence base for almost every type of non-traumatic knee pain points in the same direction: progressive loading and structured exercise. Passive modalities (electrotherapy, ultrasound, ongoing manual therapy alone) have weak evidence and rarely produce lasting change. The exercises I prescribe target the actual driver of your pain — usually a strength deficit somewhere along the kinetic chain — and progress on a timeline that matches the tissue’s capacity.
What to expect
If you’ve got knee pain that’s affecting your training, work, or daily life — whether you’re a runner, a footballer, a CrossFitter, or someone trying to walk pain-free again — book in for an initial 45-minute consultation. You’ll leave with a clear diagnosis, a tailored exercise plan, and a realistic timeline.
The clinic is at 1 Cribb Rd, Brendale, serving North Brisbane, Strathpine, Albany Creek, Eatons Hill, Bray Park, Lawnton, and surrounding suburbs. Book online.