The knee is a very complicated joint that does not purely move forwards and backwards but also rotates. There are many component parts that allow it to function normally, and any of them can potentially be damaged or become overloaded, giving rise to pain, swelling and instability.
Frequently, knee pain has nothing to do with anything happening to the knee itself, but is in fact due to how load is being managed above and below it, which is why treatment aimed only at the knee tends to settle the pain without stopping it returning.
The hip that cannot control rotation, the calf that cannot absorb landing, the foot that collapses under load, and a sudden increase in activity are all common causes of a sore knee. So an assessment looks at the whole leg, and frequently at how you walk or run.
More information
Knee pain after fifty
The conversation people expect is about wear and tear, and it needs qualifying. Changes on a scan are extremely common in people of that age with no pain at all, so the changes are not the whole explanation. Strength, load and how you move affect how much those changes hurt, and all three respond to treatment.
NICE recommends exercise as a core treatment for osteoarthritis regardless of age or severity. It reduces pain and improves function, and it does not accelerate the wear. The instinct to protect the joint by using it less produces weaker muscle around it, and a weaker knee hurts more.
When a knee needs looking at more urgently
A knee that gave way, locked so you could not straighten it, swelled up within an hour of an injury, or that you cannot put weight on needs assessing promptly and may need a scan. We will tell you which of those applies.
What treatment involves
Diagnosis, treatment to settle it, and a strength programme aimed at the actual cause. Expect the strength work to matter more than anything we do with our hands. If you are wondering whether a support would help while you rebuild, our article Do I need a knee brace? explains when bracing earns its place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my knee hurt when I did not injure it?
Is knee pain in my sixties just wear and tear?
When should a knee be seen urgently?
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