Knee injuries
From acute on-field injuries to long-running knee pain, the knee benefits enormously from a specialist who can hold the whole picture: ligament, cartilage, joint surface, kneecap, and surrounding muscle and tendon.
The knee is busy. Four ligaments, two menisci, the kneecap and its tendons, the surrounding muscle envelope, and the joint surfaces themselves all have to work together. Specialist sport and exercise medicine assessment maps out which structures are driving symptoms, then builds a plan that addresses each in the right order.
Common knee problems we see
After a twist, fall or impact
ACL, meniscus and ligament injuries, and kneecap dislocations.
Read more Ongoing painPain that builds over time
Kneecap (patellofemoral) pain and aches that do not settle on their own.
Read more Young athletesGrowing knees
Osgood-Schlatter and load-related knee pain in active kids and teens.
Read more Wear and tearKnee osteoarthritis
Staying active and managing arthritis well, without rushing to surgery.
Read more
Acute knee injuries
- ACL injury: sudden non-contact pivot or contact injury, often with a pop, immediate swelling, and a feeling of instability
- Meniscal tears: twisting injuries, often with mechanical symptoms (catching, locking)
- MCL and LCL injuries: valgus or varus force, with pain on the inner or outer side of the knee
- PCL injury: direct blow to the front of the bent knee, often in a fall onto a flexed knee
- Patellar dislocation: kneecap displaces laterally, often with rapid swelling
- Bone bruise: visible on MRI, often coexisting with a ligament or meniscal injury
Acute knee injuries benefit from specialist assessment within days. See the acute knee clinic pathway.
Persistent and chronic knee pain
- Patellofemoral pain syndrome: pain around or behind the kneecap, common in runners and after periods of altered training
- Patellar tendinopathy (jumper's knee): pain at the lower kneecap pole, common in jumping sports
- ITB syndrome: outer knee pain, common in runners and cyclists
- Pes anserine bursitis or tendinopathy: inner shin pain just below the joint line
- Quadriceps and hamstring tendinopathies
- Fat pad impingement: anterior knee pain in extension
- Plica syndrome: uncommon but treatable mechanical cause
Knee pain in young athletes
In growing athletes, the knee has its own list. Osgood-Schlatter (tibial tuberosity), Sinding-Larsen-Johansson (lower kneecap pole), osteochondritis dissecans, patellofemoral pain, and bipartite patella all have specific patterns and management. Specialist input is particularly valuable in young athletes with persistent knee pain or pain that is changing the way they walk or run.
See adolescent and youth athletes for the broader principles.
Knee osteoarthritis
Knee osteoarthritis is one of the most common musculoskeletal conditions, and one that responds well to active management. Education, structured exercise, and weight management form the cornerstone, with selected injection therapies and surgical pathways for those who need them. See the dedicated osteoarthritis clinic page.
Common questions
Will I need an MRI?
For most acute knee injuries with significant swelling, instability, or mechanical symptoms, MRI is helpful. For overuse pain with a clear clinical pattern, we can review the MRI indications.
Should I have surgery?
It depends on the diagnosis, your goals, and your sport. Many knee injuries do well without surgery. Some need it. The consultation lays out the options.
How long until I can run again?
Anywhere from days to many months depending on the diagnosis. The plan names a sensible timeline and the milestones to clear along the way.
