Knee Pain That Won’t Go Away? Causes, Treatment & When to Get Help
Knee pain that lasts for weeks or months can make everyday activities difficult from walking and climbing stairs to exercising, working and sleeping comfortably.
Persistent knee pain can have several causes, including osteoarthritis, tendon problems, meniscal injuries and patellofemoral pain. The right treatment depends on what’s causing your symptoms, and not everyone needs a scan or injection.
At Light Joints Physiotherapy, we assess and treat knee pain at our clinics in Colton and Rothwell, Leeds, and Greengates, Bradford.
This guide explains common causes of ongoing knee pain, when to seek help and which treatment options may be appropriate.
Why Does Knee Pain Persist?
Knee pain can develop gradually through repeated activity or follow a specific injury. Several conditions can produce similar symptoms.
1. Knee Osteoarthritis
Knee osteoarthritis involves changes affecting the joint and surrounding tissues. It can cause:
Pain when walking or climbing stairs
Stiffness, particularly after resting
Swelling or reduced movement
Difficulty with longer periods of activity
Osteoarthritis does not always cause constant pain, and the severity of changes seen on imaging does not necessarily match the symptoms you experience.
Exercise and strengthening are important treatments for knee osteoarthritis. Weight management may also help where appropriate.
2. Meniscus-Related Knee Pain
The menisci are structures within the knee that help distribute load.
Meniscus-related symptoms may develop after twisting the knee or gradually over time.
You might notice pain along the joint line, swelling or discomfort with squatting and turning.
Not every meniscal problem requires surgery. Many cases can be managed initially with appropriate rehabilitation.
However, a knee that becomes genuinely locked and cannot straighten requires prompt medical assessment.
3. Patellofemoral Pain (Pain Around the Kneecap)
Patellofemoral pain is commonly felt around or behind the kneecap.
Symptoms may be aggravated by:
Stairs
Squatting
Running
Sitting with the knee bent for prolonged periods
Treatment often involves progressive strengthening, adjusting activity levels and gradually rebuilding tolerance to movement.
4. Patellar Tendinopathy
Patellar tendinopathy can cause pain at the front of the knee, often just below the kneecap.
It is more common in activities involving repeated jumping, sprinting or rapid changes of direction.
Management usually focuses on progressive tendon loading and adapting training demands.
Corticosteroid injections are not routinely recommended for patellar tendinopathy, particularly because of concerns about tendon health and longer-term outcomes.
5. Ligament Injuries and Other Causes
Knee pain may also be associated with ligament injuries, bursitis, inflammatory joint conditions or pain referred from another area.
Symptoms such as significant swelling after an injury, instability or difficulty bearing weight may require further investigation.
When Should You See a Physiotherapist About Knee Pain?
Consider booking an assessment if your knee pain:
Has lasted several weeks without improvement
Keeps returning when you exercise
Makes stairs, walking or squatting difficult
Is affecting work, sport or everyday activities
Is associated with ongoing stiffness or swelling
Has not improved with sensible activity modification
A physiotherapist can assess your knee movement, strength, symptoms and functional limitations to help identify the likely cause.
Explore knee pain physiotherapy in Leeds & Bradford
What Treatments Can Help Persistent Knee Pain?
Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation
Physiotherapy is often a first-line treatment for persistent knee pain.
Depending on the diagnosis, your treatment plan may include:
Progressive strengthening
Exercises to improve movement and function
Activity and load management
Balance and movement exercises
Guidance on returning to walking, running, sport or the gym
The aim is to improve your knee’s ability to tolerate everyday activity, not simply provide temporary pain relief.
Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Assessment
Ultrasound can help assess certain soft-tissue structures around the knee, including selected tendons and bursae.
However, ultrasound cannot reliably assess every structure inside the knee, including the menisci and cruciate ligaments.
An ultrasound scan is not necessary for every knee problem. Depending on your symptoms and examination, other imaging or medical referral may be more appropriate.
At Light Joints Physiotherapy, focused musculoskeletal ultrasound assessment is available where clinically indicated.
Learn about physiotherapy with ultrasound assessment
Corticosteroid Injections
A corticosteroid injection may be considered for selected conditions, including some cases of symptomatic knee osteoarthritis.
For osteoarthritis, NICE advises that intra-articular corticosteroid injections may provide short-term relief, typically 2–10 weeks.
An injection may sometimes help reduce pain enough to make movement and rehabilitation more manageable.
However, injections do not repair damaged cartilage, ligaments or tendons, and they are not appropriate for every cause of knee pain.
The decision should take account of your diagnosis, medical history, previous treatment and potential risks.
Learn about joint and tendon injection assessments
What If Your Knee Pain Isn’t Improving?
If your symptoms continue despite exercise, activity modification or previous treatment, it may be helpful to review the diagnosis and rehabilitation plan.
Depending on the findings, the next step could involve adjusting your exercises, further investigation or referral for medical assessment.
Persistent knee pain does not automatically mean you need an injection or surgery.
Knee Pain Assessment in Leeds & Bradford
Light Joints Physiotherapy provides private knee assessments and physiotherapy at three clinics:
Colton, Leeds
Inside Jetts Fitness, 5b Stile Hill Way, LS15 9JB
Rothwell, Leeds
Inside Jetts Fitness, 75 Commercial Street, LS26 0QD
Greengates, Bradford
Inside Jetts Fitness, 800 Harrogate Road, BD10 0QS
Our approach focuses on understanding your symptoms, explaining your treatment options and developing a rehabilitation plan suited to your needs.
Ready to get your knee assessed?
Book a knee physiotherapy appointment
Or call 0113 873 0766.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my knee hurt when walking or climbing stairs?
Pain during walking or stairs can occur with several conditions, including knee osteoarthritis, patellofemoral pain and tendon-related problems. An assessment can help identify the likely cause.
How long should knee pain last before seeing a physiotherapist?
If knee pain has lasted several weeks without improvement, keeps returning or affects your normal activities, consider arranging an assessment.
Can physiotherapy help knee pain without an injection?
Yes. Many knee conditions can be managed with progressive strengthening, exercise rehabilitation and activity advice without requiring an injection.
Do I need an ultrasound scan for knee pain?
Not necessarily. Ultrasound can assess selected soft-tissue structures, but it is not the best investigation for every knee condition.
Can a steroid injection cure knee osteoarthritis?
No. A corticosteroid injection may offer temporary pain relief, but it does not reverse osteoarthritis or replace appropriate exercise and rehabilitation.
Do I need a GP referral for knee physiotherapy?
No. You can book a private knee physiotherapy assessment directly with Light Joints Physiotherapy.
When to Seek Urgent Medical Help
Seek urgent medical assessment if you experience:
Severe knee pain or significant swelling following an injury
Inability to bear weight or a visibly deformed knee
A knee that is locked and cannot straighten
A hot, swollen joint with fever or feeling generally unwell
Sudden marked weakness or loss of function
If you develop calf swelling or pain with suspected deep vein thrombosis, seek urgent medical advice. Call 999 if you also experience chest pain or sudden breathlessness.
Take the Next Step
If knee pain is affecting your everyday activities, a clinical assessment can help you understand the likely cause and identify an appropriate treatment plan.
