If knee pain is making everyday movement harder — going up and down stairs, kneeling, squatting, walking the dog or getting back to sport — our award-winning team of chiropractors in Worcester can examine the knee, work out what is driving the problem and, in almost all cases, start treatment at the same visit, usually with an appointment within 1–2 days. The reassuring news is that the vast majority of knee pain responds well to hands-on treatment and exercise, and only a small minority ever needs surgery.
Knee pain has many causes — from sports injuries and runner’s knee to osteoarthritis and growing-pain conditions in children — and getting the right diagnosis is the first step to getting better. This page explains the common causes, when to seek urgent help, and how chiropractic care can help you recover and stay active.
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“Thank you so much for all you have done — I’m so happy with the treatment that was provided, especially now as I’m back road running again. This time with no pain. Fantastic and professional service, highly recommended.”
— Scott P., Google review
Introduction to Knee Pain
Knee pain can occur in the front, back or sides of the knee, and may be accompanied by pain spreading into the thigh or the lower leg.
Knee pain affects patients of all ages and has many different causes. It can come on from a specific injury, such as whilst playing sport or from a fall, or can occur more gradually with no obvious initial cause.
Common conditions that are associated with knee pain include osteoarthritis, patellofemoral pain and ligament injuries.
In almost all cases, knee pain responds well to conservative treatment and does not need surgery.
Chiropractors are trained to determine the likely cause and diagnosis of your knee pain and advise you on the best way to manage it.
Knee pain can be related to a specific diagnosis, such as a ligament strain, but it can also occur without damage to a specific structure.
This is often related to an imbalance in the function of the muscles in the knee, hip, ankle or foot and can often be managed very successfully with home exercises.
Types of Knee Pain
Traumatic Knee Pain
Traumatic knee pain is pain that has been caused by a specific injury or fall.
The severity of the injury can vary significantly, from a mild ligament sprain or strain that should settle in 1-2 weeks, to a fracture, so it is important that these injuries are assessed properly so that they can be managed correctly.
Indicators that you should attend A&E or a minor injuries unit after a traumatic injury are:
- An inability to put weight through the affected leg for 2 consecutive steps
- An inability to bend the knee to 90°
- Worsening of knee pain within 5-7 days of initial injury
- Significant swelling shortly after injury
- Being aged 55 years or older
Examples of common traumatic knee injuries include
- Cruciate ligament tears
- Medial collateral ligament tears
- Tibial plateau fracture
- Dislocation
Having traumatic knee pain does not always mean you need surgery.
More and more it is being realised that the body is very quick to adapt to and repair injuries, and many traumatic knee problems respond better to correct rehabilitation rather than immobilisation or surgery.
Non-traumatic knee pain
Knee pain in the absence of clear injury is classed as non-traumatic. Often non-traumatic knee pain comes on gradually.
None traumatic knee pain is much more common than traumatic knee pain and usually responds well to conservative management.
There are still some situations where non-traumatic knee pain may require rapid attention, so it is advised to contact your GP or 111, if you have any of the following symptoms:
- Sudden onset of swelling, redness and heat in the knee
- Any associated fever or flu-like symptoms
- Sudden onset of inability to bear weight on the affected leg
As long as none of the above symptoms are present, then seeing a chiropractor, or other manual therapist, about your knee pain is totally safe.
Examples of common non-traumatic knee problems include:
- Osteoarthritis
- Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS)
- Hyper/hypomobility
Most often, non-traumatic knee pain involves more than one structure, or is not associated with obvious damage, and so does not require a diagnostic label.
Common Knee Conditions We Treat
Knee pain rarely has a single cause, but most of the problems we see in clinic fall into a handful of recognisable patterns. Below are some of the most common, along with who they tend to affect.
Knee osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common cause of persistent knee pain in adults, particularly over the age of 50, although it can develop earlier after an injury or with repetitive load. The smooth cartilage that cushions the joint gradually changes, which can lead to pain, stiffness (often worse first thing in the morning or after sitting), occasional swelling and a feeling of the knee “giving way”. It is far less limiting than most people fear: gentle joint mobilisation, soft-tissue work and — above all — a targeted strengthening programme can reduce pain and keep you moving. You can read more on our dedicated arthritis and osteoarthritis page.
Patellofemoral pain (runner’s knee)
Patellofemoral pain syndrome — often called runner’s knee — causes a dull ache at the front of the knee, around or behind the kneecap. It is typically worse when running, going downstairs, squatting or sitting for long periods with the knee bent. It is one of the most common complaints in active people and rarely involves any structural damage; it usually relates to how the kneecap, hip and foot are working together, and responds very well to a graded exercise programme.
Patellar tendinopathy (jumper’s knee)
Patellar tendinopathy is pain in the tendon just below the kneecap, common in people who run, jump or change direction repeatedly — hence “jumper’s knee”. It tends to come on gradually and is felt during and after activity. Loading the tendon correctly with a structured exercise plan is the cornerstone of recovery, and we will guide you on how to keep training while it settles.
Iliotibial band (ITB) syndrome
ITB syndrome causes pain on the outer side of the knee and is especially common in runners and cyclists as mileage increases. It is usually an overload problem rather than a sign of damage, and improves with load management, hip and glute strengthening and some technique adjustments.
Knee bursitis
A bursa is a small fluid-filled cushion that reduces friction around the joint. When one becomes irritated — often from kneeling, a knock or repetitive pressure — it can swell and ache. Most cases settle with activity modification and hands-on treatment; we will flag the small number that need a GP’s input.
Osgood–Schlatter disease
Osgood–Schlatter disease is a common cause of knee pain in active children and teenagers, typically during growth spurts. It causes pain and a tender bump just below the kneecap, at the top of the shin, and is usually worse with running, jumping and kneeling. It is not harmful and settles with time, but the right load management and exercises help young athletes stay active and more comfortable while it resolves.
Do I need an x-ray or a scan?
Most knee pain does not require an x-ray or a scan. Unless you have any the symptoms indicated above, it is unlikely that they will be required.
Having an x-ray to look for things like arthritis is usually not advised unless symptoms have persisted despite trying other forms as treatment such as pain killers, manual therapy and a targeted and sustained exercise programme.
The number of false positives found on scans is very high.
A recent study found abnormalities on MRI scans in 97% of a group of 115 asymptomatic adults.
Unless there is an indication of a more sinister cause to your knee pain, or it is not improving despite treatment, x-rays and scans are usually not needed.
“I cannot recommend this clinic highly enough. I had been having awful leg pain for a long time and felt the need to see a professional. Geoff was absolutely amazing — he did a full, in-depth assessment and explained everything clearly so I could understand. After just a few sessions I can truly say I feel so much better.”
— Tracey, Worcester — Google review
What Will a Chiropractor Do?
Correct diagnosis of your knee pain requires a detailed understanding of your condition and your medical history.
After going through this with you, a chiropractor will provide a thorough neuro-orthopaedic examination. This will help reveal the exact cause of your knee pain, as well as revealing the underlying factors that might have predisposed you to the problem.
All GCC registered chiropractors complete a 5-year full time degree, including a year of supervised practice in order to ensure they can do this effectively.
The physical examination of your knee will also extend to looking at the movement and muscular control of your foot, ankle and hip, as issues in these areas can sometimes have a knock-on effect on the knee joint.
Once your chiropractor has done all of this, they will explain their findings to you and advise what your best options are for managing it.
They will take in to account your preferences regarding treatment, your goals and the best evidence to tailor your treatment plan to your needs.
What are the treatment options for knee pain?
Once your chiropractor determines what the likely cause of your knee pain is, and that it is suitable for manual therapy, there are lots of options available!
Soft tissue techniques such as massage and trigger point release, dry needling (a form of medical acupuncture), mobilisation of the joints in the knee, hip, foot or ankle and kinesio-taping are all brilliant options for knee pain.
However, the one element of treatment that is essential for almost all knee pain is a gradual and targeted programme of home exercises.
The type of exercises, their difficulty, and how far they are progressed will depend on your goals.
You need to do much more work to run a marathon than you do to be able to climb the stairs or walk to the shop, but exercises really are the lynch pin to helping knee problems recover and preventing them from recurring.
If conservative treatment options such as manual therapy and exercises are not successful in getting your knee pain under control, then the next step is to look at more invasive treatments.
This is the point that imaging may be a good idea and usually involves referral to an orthopaedic surgeon.
As long as there are no obvious structural changes, such as a ligament tear or rupture, the first line of invasive treatment is often an injection.
In most cases and injection would consist of a corticosteroid (a highly potent anti-inflammatory) and a local anaesthetic.
If this is also unsuccessful then there are surgical options available – the type of surgery used varies depending on what is causing your knee pain.
Conclusion
Broadly speaking, there are two types of knee pain: traumatic and non-traumatic.
Both usually respond to conservative management, but thorough assessment is essential to determine the correct course of action.
Chiropractors are trained to examine and treat knee problems, and can refer you to other specialists if conservative treatment or further investigation is necessary.
Most people with knee pain get better, and few require surgery.
Book Your Knee Assessment Online
Choose a time that suits you below, or call us on 01905 428956 — appointments are usually available within 1–2 days, and in almost all cases your assessment and first treatment happen at the same visit.
Visiting Us for Knee Pain Treatment
You’ll find us at 102 Bromyard Road, St John’s, Worcester, WR2 5DJ — a few minutes from the city centre on the west side of the river. There is one parking space directly in front of the clinic and three more in the Methodist Church car park around 50 m away. Directions, opening hours and fees are on our appointments page.
As well as Worcester itself, we regularly treat knee pain patients from St John’s, Hallow and Martley, from Malvern, and from across the WR postcodes and wider Worcestershire.
Knee Pain FAQs
Can a chiropractor help with knee pain?
In most cases, yes. After a full examination to work out what is driving your knee pain, treatment combines hands-on care — joint mobilisation, soft-tissue work and dry needling — with a targeted exercise programme, which is the single most important element for almost all knee problems. We also assess the hip, ankle and foot, because how those areas move often has a knock-on effect on the knee. If your symptoms suggest something that needs a GP or specialist, we will tell you and arrange the right referral.
Do TENS machines help knee pain?
A TENS machine can provide short-term pain relief for some people by altering how pain signals are felt, and it is generally safe to try. What it does not do is address the underlying cause — the muscle control, joint movement or loading pattern behind the pain. We see TENS as an optional comfort aid rather than a treatment in its own right; lasting improvement comes from correcting what is driving the problem, usually through a tailored exercise programme alongside hands-on care.
Do I need an x-ray or a scan for knee pain?
Usually not. Most knee pain is diagnosed from your history and a physical examination, and scans are rarely needed to begin treatment. Imaging picks up “abnormalities” in a large proportion of pain-free knees too — one study found changes on MRI in 97% of asymptomatic adults — so a scan can be misleading. We recommend imaging only when it would genuinely change your management, for example after a significant injury or when symptoms are not improving as expected.
Do steroid injections help knee arthritis?
Steroid injections can give some people short-term relief from an arthritic knee, but the evidence for lasting benefit is limited and they are usually considered only when first-line care has not helped. We do not give injections ourselves; our focus is the hands-on treatment and exercise that helps most knees, and we will refer you appropriately if an injection or surgical opinion is the right next step. You can read our honest summary of the evidence on steroid injections for knee arthritis.
Should I see a chiropractor or a physiotherapist for knee pain?
Both professions use very similar tools for knee pain — manual therapy and graded exercise — so the most important thing is a careful assessment of what is actually causing your symptoms. Your initial consultation with us includes that full examination before any treatment begins, and we will be straightforward about whether chiropractic care is the right option for you.
How much does treatment cost, and how soon can I be seen?
Your initial consultation is £85, which includes a full history, a neurological and orthopaedic examination, a clear explanation of what is causing your knee pain and — in almost all cases — your first treatment. Follow-up treatments are £50. Appointments are usually available within 1–2 days; you can book online at any time or call us on 01905 428956.
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