How to Treat or Cure Knee Pain

Treatment depends on the cause and how severe the pain is.

Step 1: Diagnose

History, examination, X-ray, MRI and blood tests find the cause.

Step 2: First-line care for most knee pain

• Exercise and physiotherapy to strengthen the thigh and hip muscles
• Weight loss if overweight
• Short-term pain relief with paracetamol, topical or oral NSAIDs when safe
• Activity changes and supports such as braces or insoles

Step 3: Treat the cause

• Osteoarthritis: exercise, weight control, pain relief, injections in selected cases, and surgery if severe
• Ligament injury: physiotherapy, and surgery such as ACL reconstruction for active people or persistent instability
• Meniscus tear: physiotherapy for many, and keyhole surgery for locking or large tears
• Tendinitis and bursitis: rest, exercise and sometimes injection
• Gout and inflammatory arthritis: specific medicines
• Infection: hospital treatment with antibiotics and joint washout

Step 4: Surgery

• Arthroscopy for selected injuries
• Osteotomy in selected younger patients
• Partial or total knee replacement for severe arthritis when other treatment has failed

Is it curable?

Injuries and infections often heal. Osteoarthritis is long-term, but symptoms can be well controlled, and many people avoid surgery.

Complementary care

Ayurveda, yoga and physiotherapy-style exercise can support care. They should not delay diagnosis or urgent treatment.

Key point

Most knee pain improves with exercise, weight control and the right treatment for its cause.

Before your appointment

Note when the knee pain began, where it hurts, and whether there was a fall or twist. Describe swelling, stiffness, locking, giving way, clicking and what makes it better or worse. List all medicines, painkillers, supplements and herbal products. Mention fever, other joint pain, gout and past knee problems. Bring earlier X-rays or reports and your usual shoes. Ask about tests, exercise, safe pain relief and when surgery is considered. Seek urgent care for a hot swollen knee with fever or inability to bear weight, or call 112 for severe symptoms.