Knee Pain — Physiotherapy in London
Most knee pain — whether it sits at the front of the kneecap, down the outer thigh, in a tendon or in an early-osteoarthritic joint — improves with an accurate diagnosis and a progressive, exercise-based loading programme, the treatment with the strongest evidence base.
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What you're seeing
The concern
Why it happens
What drives it
- A rapid spike in running, jumping or gym load that outpaces what the knee can currently tolerate, the usual driver of patellofemoral and tendon-related pain
- Strength and control deficits in the quadriceps, gluteal and hip muscles, so the kneecap and tendons absorb load they are not prepared for
- Patellar tendinopathy from repetitive jumping, hopping or rapid changes of direction without adequate recovery
- Iliotibial band-related irritation, often linked to a sudden increase in running mileage or a change in surface or footwear
- Early osteoarthritis — age-related joint changes that respond well to exercise rather than rest
- Recovery after a knee sprain, ligament or meniscal injury, or knee surgery, where strength and load tolerance need rebuilding
- Deconditioning after time off, illness or surgery, leaving the joint and surrounding muscles under-prepared
Treatment approach
How Sam treats it
Physiotherapy & Sports Rehabilitation
Price on enquiryAssessment first identifies which structure is driving your knee pain — patellofemoral, ITB, tendon or early osteoarthritis — then delivers an individualised, progressive loading and rehabilitation programme, the first-line, best-evidenced treatment across all of these presentations.
See treatment detail →Strength Training
Price on enquiryStructured strength work rebuilds capacity in the quadriceps, gluteal and hip muscles that control the knee, addressing the deficits behind patellofemoral and tendon-related pain and supporting a confident, durable return to running, sport and daily activity.
See treatment detail →Shockwave Therapy
Price on enquiryFor patellar tendinopathy that has not settled with first-line loading, shockwave therapy may be considered as an adjunct alongside continued rehabilitation, in line with NICE interventional procedures guidance; evidence is mixed and it is never a substitute for progressive loading.
See treatment detail →FAQ
Common
questions
What is the best treatment for knee pain?
For most knee pain — patellofemoral, ITB-related, tendon-related or early osteoarthritis — exercise-based loading is first-line. NICE recommends therapeutic exercise for osteoarthritis, and the BJSM consensus supports progressive loading for tendinopathy. A graded strength programme tailored to your knee rebuilds capacity. Rest alone rarely works and can leave the joint weaker.
Should I rest my knee or keep moving?
Usually keep moving within sensible limits. Complete rest tends to leave the knee weaker, so pain returns when you resume activity. The evidence supports relative rest — temporarily easing the most aggravating loads while progressively rebuilding tolerance through structured exercise. Your physiotherapist guides exactly how much load is right for your stage of recovery.
Do I need a scan for my knee pain?
Usually not. NICE advises against routine imaging for osteoarthritis, and scans often show age-related changes common in pain-free people that rarely alter treatment. We reserve imaging for clear red flags, a locked or giving-way knee suggesting a structural injury, or symptoms that fail to improve and point to a specific cause needing investigation.
Does shockwave therapy work for knee pain?
It can help some recalcitrant patellar tendinopathy that has not responded to first-line loading, used as an adjunct alongside continued rehabilitation per NICE interventional procedures guidance. The evidence is mixed and it is not a guaranteed cure or a substitute for progressive loading. We will tell you honestly whether it suits your specific knee.
When should I seek urgent help for my knee?
Seek urgent care after significant trauma, or if your knee is hot, swollen and you feel unwell with a fever, which can signal infection. A knee that locks, gives way or cannot bear weight needs prompt assessment for a structural injury. For these, physiotherapy is not the first step; see your GP or attend A&E.
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Physio and Performance • 111 Charing Cross Road, Soho, London WC2H 0DT
BookAppointments typically available within 1–2 weeks