Every knee problem is different. The first step is understanding what's driving your symptoms so we can decide on the most appropriate treatment and help you get back to doing what matters most.
Knee Pain Treatment in Hayes, West London
Knee pain can affect almost every aspect of daily life - walking, climbing the stairs, exercising, kneeling or simply getting up from a chair. For some people it develops gradually over time, while for others it begins after a sporting injury, fall or sudden twist. The aim is to reduce your pain, restore your movement and get you back to doing what matters most. Not all knee pain originates from the knee joint itself - muscles, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, nearby bursae and even the hip, ankle or lower back can all contribute, so a thorough assessment helps identify what's driving your symptoms before deciding on the most appropriate treatment.
Who you'll see
You'll be seen by Arjun Mehra, dual-qualified osteopath and chartered physiotherapist. Your treatment and rehabilitation come from the same person, start to finish. 14 years of experience getting people out of pain and keeping them out of it.
Appointments usually available within 48 hours.
Types of Knee Pain
Not all knee pain feels the same. Choose the option below that sounds most like yours.
Knee Navigation
The Painful Knee
Knee pain can develop gradually over time or occur suddenly following an injury. Depending on the underlying cause, pain may be felt at the front, back, inside or outside of the knee.
Everyday activities such as walking, climbing stairs, kneeling, squatting or exercising can quickly become uncomfortable.
There are several possible causes of a painful knee. One of the most common is Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome, where pain develops around the kneecap during everyday activities or exercise.
Other conditions, including patellar tendinopathy, quadriceps tendinopathy, knee osteoarthritis and irritation of the pes anserine tendons or bursa, can produce similar symptoms, which is why a thorough assessment is important.
You may notice:
Pain going up or down the stairs
Pain during squatting or kneeling
Pain walking or running
Pain after sitting for long periods
Pain at the front, inside or outside of the knee
Pain during or after sport
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
The kneecap (patella) sits within a groove at the front of the knee and helps the quadriceps muscles straighten the leg. When the joint becomes irritated, pain commonly develops around or behind the kneecap, particularly during squatting, climbing stairs, running or sitting with the knee bent for prolonged periods.
Knee Osteoarthritis
The knee is one of the body's main weight-bearing joints. As the smooth cartilage within the joint gradually changes over time, some people develop pain, stiffness and reduced movement. Everyday activities such as walking, climbing stairs, standing from a chair or kneeling may gradually become more difficult.
Patellar Tendinopathy (Jumper's Knee)
The patellar tendon connects the kneecap to the shin bone and plays an important role in jumping, sprinting and changing direction. Repetitive loading can irritate the tendon, causing pain just below the kneecap that is often worse during jumping, running, squatting or explosive movements.
Quadriceps Tendinopathy
The quadriceps tendon connects the thigh muscles to the top of the kneecap. When this tendon becomes overloaded, pain is typically felt just above the kneecap and may become worse during stairs, squatting, running or sporting activities.
Pes Anserine Pain Syndrome
The pes anserine is where three muscles attach to the inside of the shin, just below the knee. Irritation of these tendons or the nearby bursa can cause pain on the inside of the knee, particularly when climbing stairs, walking longer distances or getting up from a chair.
Iliotibial Band (ITB) Pain Syndrome
The iliotibial band (ITB) is a thick band of connective tissue that runs down the outside of the thigh, helping to stabilise the hip and knee during walking and running. When the tissues around the outside of the knee become irritated, pain commonly develops during repetitive activities such as running, cycling or hiking. Many people notice symptoms begin after increasing their training, particularly when running downhill or over longer distances.
The Stiff Knee
If your knee feels stiff rather than simply painful, it may be due to changes within the joint itself or the surrounding muscles and soft tissues. Stiffness often develops gradually over time, although it can also occur following an injury or surgery.
There are several possible causes of knee stiffness. One of the most common is knee osteoarthritis, where changes within the joint gradually reduce movement over time. Other conditions, such as stiffness following an injury or surgery, can produce similar symptoms.
It's also common for the knee to gradually lose mobility after periods of inactivity or previous injuries, even without a significant structural problem, which is why a thorough assessment is important.
You may notice:
Difficulty fully bending or straightening the knee
Morning stiffness or stiffness after sitting
Difficulty squatting or kneeling
Feeling like the knee doesn't move as freely as it used to
Reduced confidence walking longer distances
Stiffness after previous injury or surgery
Knee Osteoarthritis
The knee is one of the body's main weight-bearing joints. As the smooth cartilage within the joint gradually changes over time, movement often becomes more restricted, making walking, climbing stairs, squatting and standing from a chair increasingly difficult.
Reduced Knee Mobility
Not all knee stiffness is caused by arthritis or structural changes within the joint. Previous injuries, prolonged periods of inactivity or reduced movement can all contribute to a knee that simply doesn't move as freely as it once did. You may notice everyday activities such as kneeling, squatting or getting up from the floor becoming increasingly difficult, even without significant pain.
Post-Injury or Post-Surgical Knee Stiffness
Following a ligament injury, meniscal injury, fracture or knee surgery, it's common for movement to become restricted while the tissues heal. Swelling, scar tissue and reduced use of the joint can all contribute to stiffness, making everyday activities more difficult even after the initial pain has settled.
Clicking, Locking & Giving Way
A knee that clicks, catches, locks or feels like it's giving way can be worrying, particularly if it's affecting your confidence walking, exercising or playing sport. While some clicking is completely normal, painful clicking, locking or episodes where the knee feels unstable may suggest irritation of the cartilage, menisci or supporting ligaments within the knee.
There are several possible causes of these mechanical knee symptoms. Some originate from the cartilage or menisci within the joint, while others affect the ligaments that help stabilise the knee. A thorough assessment helps determine what's causing your symptoms before deciding on the most appropriate treatment.
You may notice:
Clicking or catching within the knee
Locking or difficulty fully straightening the knee
A feeling that the knee gives way or buckles
Pain during twisting or pivoting movements
Swelling after activity or sport
Reduced confidence walking or changing direction
Meniscal Tears
The menisci are two crescent-shaped pieces of cartilage that act as shock absorbers between the thigh bone and shin bone. A meniscal tear can occur following a twisting injury or gradually over time as the cartilage changes with age. Symptoms commonly include pain along the joint line, clicking, catching or, in some cases, episodes where the knee feels locked or difficult to fully straighten.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injury
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) helps prevent excessive forward movement and rotation of the knee. ACL injuries commonly occur during sudden changes of direction, landing from a jump or twisting movements in sport. Many people describe hearing or feeling a "pop" at the time of injury, followed by rapid swelling and a feeling that the knee is unstable or likely to give way.
Medial & Lateral Collateral Ligament (MCL & LCL) Injuries
The medial collateral ligament (MCL) and lateral collateral ligament (LCL) help stabilise the knee from side to side. These ligaments are commonly injured following a twisting injury or a direct blow to the knee and may cause pain along the inside or outside of the joint, swelling and a feeling of instability, particularly during walking or changing direction.
Patellar Instability
The patella (kneecap) normally glides within a groove at the front of the knee as it bends and straightens. If the kneecap moves excessively or partially dislocates, it can cause pain, instability and a feeling that the knee may give way, particularly during twisting movements, squatting or sporting activities.
Loose Bodies (Floating Cartilage or Bone)
Small fragments of cartilage or bone can occasionally become trapped within the knee joint following an injury or as a result of arthritis. These loose bodies may cause intermittent locking, catching or sudden episodes where the knee temporarily becomes stuck before movement returns.
The Swollen Knee
A swollen knee often develops after an injury, but it can also occur gradually without a specific incident. Swelling may be accompanied by pain, stiffness or a feeling of tightness within the joint, making it difficult to fully bend or straighten the knee.
There are several possible causes of knee swelling. Sometimes the swelling develops following an injury to the cartilage, menisci or ligaments.
While in other cases it may be related to arthritis, inflammation or irritation of the tissues around the knee.
Identifying what's causing the swelling is an important part of choosing the most appropriate treatment.
You may notice:
A visibly swollen knee
Tightness when bending or straightening the knee
Pain during walking or weight-bearing
Swelling after sport or exercise
Stiffness, particularly after sitting
A feeling of fullness or pressure around the knee
*Although many swollen knees are caused by common musculoskeletal conditions, sudden swelling associated with significant redness, warmth, fever or feeling generally unwell may require urgent medical assessment to rule out conditions such as infection or inflammatory arthritis.
Knee Joint Effusion ("Fluid on the Knee")
Following an injury or irritation within the knee, the joint may produce excess fluid, often referred to as "water on the knee." This can make the knee feel swollen, tight and difficult to move. Joint effusions commonly occur following ligament injuries, meniscal tears or flare-ups of arthritis.
Baker's Cyst
A Baker's cyst is a pocket of fluid that develops at the back of the knee, often as a result of irritation within the joint. Some people notice a feeling of tightness or swelling behind the knee, particularly when fully bending or straightening the leg.
Bursitis
Several bursa sit around the knee to reduce friction between the skin, tendons and bone. The most commonly affected include the prepatellar bursa (at the front of the kneecap), the infrapatellar bursa (just below the kneecap) and the pes anserine bursa (on the inside of the knee). When one of these bursae becomes irritated, it can lead to a localised area of swelling, warmth and tenderness. This often develops after prolonged kneeling, repetitive pressure or following a minor injury.
Knee Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis doesn't just cause pain and stiffness. During flare-ups, the knee joint can also become swollen as the joint lining becomes irritated, leading to increased fluid within the knee and a feeling of tightness or reduced movement.
Knee Pain at the Gym
Whether you're lifting weights, running, playing football, CrossFit or training for another sport, your knees absorb significant forces during almost every lower-body exercise. Squats, lunges, running, jumping and explosive movements all place high demands on the muscles, tendons and joints around the knee.
Pain doesn't always mean you need to stop training completely. More often, it's a sign that the muscles, tendons or joints around the knee are struggling to cope with the demands being placed on them. By understanding what's driving your symptoms, it's often possible to modify exercises, adjust your training load and keep you moving while your knee settles.
Because the body works as a connected system, we'll also assess how your hips, ankles and feet are moving to identify anything that may be contributing to excessive stress on your knee during exercise. Sometimes the source of the problem isn't the knee itself, which is why looking at the bigger picture is so important.
You may notice:
Pain during squats or lunges
Pain running or jumping
Discomfort during leg press or step-ups
Pain after training or the following day
Swelling after exercise
Reduced confidence training because of knee pain
Knee Pain at Work
Whether you're working at a desk, on a building site, in healthcare, driving for work or spending long hours on your feet, different jobs place different demands on the knees. Prolonged kneeling, repetitive lifting, frequent squatting, climbing stairs or standing for long periods can all contribute to knee pain or make existing symptoms worse.
Knee pain doesn't always mean you need to stop working. By understanding how your job is contributing to your symptoms, it's often possible to make simple adjustments to your working day while addressing the underlying cause of your pain.
Alongside treating your knee, we'll also consider whether factors such as your workstation setup, lifting technique, kneeling position or daily workload may be contributing to your symptoms. Small changes to the way you work can often make a significant difference while helping you stay comfortable at work.
You may notice:
Pain after prolonged standing or walking
Pain kneeling or squatting
Difficulty climbing stairs at work
Pain lifting or carrying
Symptoms that worsen throughout the working day
Difficulty performing your normal duties comfortably
After Knee Surgery
Recovering from knee surgery can sometimes feel just as challenging as the injury itself. Whether you've had an ACL reconstruction, meniscal surgery, knee replacement, cartilage procedure or surgery following a fracture, the right rehabilitation plays an important role in helping you regain movement, strength and confidence.
You may benefit from rehabilitation if you're:
Recovering from a knee replacement
Recovering after ACL reconstruction
Recovering following meniscal surgery
Recovering after cartilage or ligament surgery
Recovering following surgery for a fracture
Looking to return to work, sport or everyday activities
Recovery takes time, and every operation is different. I'll work closely with your surgeon's rehabilitation guidelines to help you progress safely, regain function and get back to the activities that matter most.
What Patient Say
Knee FAQs
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Clicking or cracking in the knee is often completely normal, particularly if it isn't painful or associated with swelling or locking. However, painful clicking, catching or repeated episodes of locking may indicate irritation of the meniscus, cartilage or other structures within the knee and should be assessed.
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Not necessarily. Many meniscal tears can be managed successfully without surgery, particularly if symptoms are improving with the right treatment and rehabilitation. However, larger tears causing persistent locking, significant instability or ongoing mechanical symptoms may require further investigation, imaging or referral to an orthopaedic specialist. Treatment recommendations are always based on your symptoms, examination findings and goals rather than the scan alone.
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Not always, but sometimes imaging plays an important role. Many knee conditions can be diagnosed through a detailed history and physical examination alone, meaning an MRI or X-ray isn't always needed straight away.
However, imaging may be recommended if there's concern about a fracture, significant ligament or cartilage injury, persistent swelling, symptoms that aren't improving as expected, or when the results are likely to influence the most appropriate treatment plan. If imaging is appropriate, we'll explain which scan is most suitable and why.
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In many cases, yes. Knee pain doesn't automatically mean you need to stop exercising. By identifying which movements are aggravating your symptoms, it's often possible to modify your training, manage your exercise load and continue exercising safely while your knee settles.
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It depends on the cause of your symptoms. Many runners don't need to stop completely and can continue training by adjusting their running volume, intensity or technique. Identifying what's driving your pain helps determine the safest approach and whether any temporary modifications are needed.
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Yes. The knee doesn't work in isolation. Problems affecting the hips, ankles or lower back can sometimes alter the way forces are distributed through the knee or even refer pain into the area. During your assessment, we'll look beyond the knee itself to identify any contributing factors that may be affecting your symptoms.
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Most knee pain isn't caused by anything serious, but certain symptoms should be assessed promptly. If your knee becomes significantly swollen after an injury, repeatedly locks, gives way, you're unable to bear weight, or you notice significant redness, warmth, fever or feel generally unwell, it's important to seek medical assessment as soon as possible.
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Pain or stiffness after prolonged sitting. sometimes called the "movie theatre sign" is commonly associated with patellofemoral pain syndrome, although arthritis and other knee conditions can produce similar symptoms. If your knee repeatedly becomes painful after sitting, driving or travelling, it's worth having it assessed to identify the underlying cause.
Not Sure What's Causing Your Knee Pain?
Every knee problem is different, so treatment starts with understanding what's causing your symptoms. Once we've identified the source of your symptoms, I'll explain what's most likely causing them and recommend the treatment that's most appropriate for you.
You don't need to know exactly what's wrong before booking an appointment , that's what the assessment is for.
👉 Learn more about what to expect from treatment
GET IN TOUCH
Ready to Get Started?
Whether you’re dealing with pain, stiffness, injury, or simply want to move better, we’re here to help. Get in touch and we’ll guide you in the right direction.
☎︎︎ Phone: 0203 773 5310
/ 07983 656 671
✉︎︎ Email: info@jigsawosteopathy.com
⌖︎ Clinic location: 70 Seaton Rd, Hayes, UB3 1NU
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◷︎ Opening Hours: By Appointment Only | Monday – Thursday | 9am - 7pm
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