Pain and swelling
Location, timing, swelling, catching, and instability help narrow the exam.
← Sports Rehab Overview
Knee Physical Therapy
BUILD A KNEE THAT HOLDS UP
Physical therapy for knee pain during squatting, stairs, lifting, running, jumping, work, and sport.
Knee Specialty
Recovering after ACL reconstruction?
ACL rehab is a long-course pathway with staged strength work, testing, and months of return-to-sport preparation.
Start Here
THE PAINFUL TASK MATTERS.
Pain on stairs and pain during a hard cut are both knee problems, but they do not ask the knee to do the same job. We start with the activity that exposes the problem.
Rehab should restore enough strength and tolerance for that job. The endpoint may be a full workday, a deep squat, a long run, or repeated jumping and cutting.
Common Presentations
THIS MAY SOUND FAMILIAR
The location and timing of knee pain help us choose a useful starting point.
- Pain around the kneecap during stairs, squats, or sitting
- Tendon pain during jumping, landing, or faster running
- Joint-line pain, swelling, catching, or stiffness
- A knee that feels weak or unreliable during sport
What We Assess
MATCH THE TEST TO THE GOAL.
We examine the knee, the rest of the leg, and the amount of force your activity requires.
Strength
Quadriceps, hamstring, hip, and calf strength all affect how the knee handles load.
Single-leg work
Squatting, stepping, landing, and changing direction show how the leg manages force.
Training demand
Running, lifting, jumping, practice, and work volume guide the progression.
The Rehab Process
BUILD ENOUGH CAPACITY FOR THE THING YOU WANT TO DO.
01
KEEP THE KNEE MOVING
Adjust the most irritating work while preserving activity the knee tolerates.
02
BUILD LEG STRENGTH
Progress the quadriceps and the rest of the leg through useful ranges.
03
RETURN TO DEMAND
Bring back heavier lifting, running, jumping, cutting, or long workdays.
Common Questions
BEFORE YOU START
Do I need an MRI for knee pain?
Many knee problems can start with a clinical evaluation. We will recommend medical follow-up when trauma, locking, instability, or the exam suggests imaging could change the plan.
Can I keep training?
Often, yes. We adjust the range, load, speed, or volume while rebuilding the capacity your training requires.
What if my knee swells?
Swelling gives us useful information about how the knee is responding. A large or rapidly developing effusion, major trauma, or inability to bear weight deserves prompt assessment.
Related care
NOT SURE WHAT THIS NEEDS?
Book a free consultation and tell us what is getting in the way. We will help you choose the right first step.
Choose your clinic
READY TO TALK?
Choose the clinic closest to you and book directly with its physical therapist.
