Knee Conditions

X-ray of a right knee showing the femur, tibia, fibula, and kneecap.

X-ray image of a knee, taken from the side

  • The Anterior Cruciate Ligament is a connective tissue that stabilizes the knee, and prevents excessive forward movement of the Tibia (shin bone).

    • Common in athletes, especially those involved in sports with sudden stops and changes in direction, resulting in a tear of the ACL.

    • Some patients may report of “locking” of the knee, being unable to straighten or bend the knee beyond a certain range.

    • Depending on the severity of the tear, many patients are able to avoid surgery with the right attention and rehabilitation.

    Learn more here

    • Injuries to the meniscus, the cartilage that cushions the knee joint, causing pain, swelling, and limited range of motion.

    • Most patients tend to recall sustaining this injury from twisting their knees.

    • Symptoms

      • Knee pain, especially with twisting or squatting

      • Swelling or stiffness in the knee joint

      • Locking or catching sensation (unable to fully bend or straighten)

      • Reduced range of motion or instability

      Treatment

      • Physiotherapy to reduce pain and restore knee movement

      • Strengthening of the quadriceps and supporting muscles

      • Gradual return to activity with proper load management

      • Further assessment if locking persists or function is significantly limited

    • A degenerative joint disease characterized by the breakdown of cartilage in the knee joint, leading to pain, swelling, stiffness, and reduced mobility.

    • Symptoms

      • Knee pain that worsens with activity throughout the day

      • Morning stiffness or stiffness after prolonged rest

      • Swelling or reduced joint mobility

      • Difficulty with walking, climbing stairs, or standing for long periods

      Treatment

      • Physiotherapy to reduce pain and improve joint function

      • Strengthening of the muscles supporting the knee

      • Movement and load management to reduce joint stress

      • Further assessment if symptoms significantly affect daily function

    • AKA Runner’s Knee

      • Pain around or behind the kneecap, often exacerbated by activities like running, squatting, or climbing stairs.

      • This conditions could be present even in non-runners, who would usually display weakness of the lower limb.

    Symptoms

    • Pain around or behind the kneecap

    • Pain worsens with running, squatting, or climbing stairs

    • Discomfort after prolonged sitting (“theatre sign”)

    • Weakness or poor control in the lower limb

    Treatment

    • Physiotherapy to reduce pain and improve knee tracking

    • Strengthening of the quadriceps, hips, and lower limb muscles

    • Movement retraining to improve alignment and control

    • Gradual return to activity with proper load management

    • Inflammation of the iliotibial band, causing pain on the outer side of the knee, commonly seen in runners.

    Symptoms

    • Pain on the outer side of the knee

    • Pain worsens with running, downhill walking, or repetitive bending

    • Tightness along the outer thigh

    • Discomfort that increases with activity

    Treatment

    • Physiotherapy to reduce irritation and improve movement patterns

    • Stretching and strengthening of the hip and thigh muscles

    • Load management to reduce repetitive stress

    • Gradual return to running or activity

    • AKA Jumper's Knee

      • Inflammation of the patellar tendon, leading to pain around the kneecap, often seen in athletes involved in jumping sports.

    • Symptoms

      • Pain at the front of the knee, just below the kneecap

      • Pain worsens with jumping, running, or squatting

      • Tenderness over the patellar tendon

      • Stiffness or discomfort during activity

      Treatment

      • Physiotherapy to reduce tendon irritation and promote healing

      • Progressive strengthening of the quadriceps and lower limb

      • Load management to control stress on the tendon

      • Gradual return to sport-specific activities

    • Weakness and reduced control of your knees in an inwards & outwards direction with movement.

    • Patellar Subluxation is the excessive movement of the knee cap, increasing the chances of a dislocation.

      Symptoms

      • Knee feels unstable or “giving way” during movement

      • Pain around the kneecap, especially with activity

      • Clicking, shifting, or slipping sensation of the kneecap

      • Difficulty with running, squatting, or directional changes

      Treatment

      • Physiotherapy to improve knee stability and control

      • Strengthening of the quadriceps, hips, and surrounding muscles

      • Movement retraining to improve alignment and tracking of the kneecap

      • Support (e.g. taping or bracing) if needed during recovery

      • Further assessment if instability persists or dislocations occur

    • Knock Knees (Genu Valgum), is a structural alignment abnormality in which the knees are positioned outward, away from each other, while the ankles remain close together. This condition gives the appearance of a gap between the knees when the feet are together.

    • Bow-legged (Genu Varum), is another structural alignment abnormality, but in this case, the knees angle inward toward each other, causing the ankles to be apart. When standing with the feet together, the knees touch, but there is a noticeable gap between the ankles.

    Symptoms

    • Visible misalignment of the legs (knees angled inward or outward)

    • Knee pain or discomfort with prolonged standing or walking

    • Uneven loading on the knees, leading to strain or fatigue

    • Possible impact on walking, running, or overall movement pattern

    Treatment

    • Physiotherapy to improve alignment, strength, and movement control

    • Strengthening of the hips, thighs, and supporting muscles

    • Movement retraining to reduce stress on the knees

    • Further assessment in more pronounced or symptomatic cases

  • Knee-dless to say, we’d be guiding you through the dos and don’ts throughout your recovery. Feel assured and safe, as you gradually get back on your feet.

    • Meniscal repairs

    • Knee Arthroscopy

    • Total Knee Replacement (TKR)

    • Partial Knee Replacement

    • ACL, PCL, MCL & LCL repairs

    • Cartilage repair & Chondroplasty

    • Subchondroplasty

    • Patellar Fracture repair

    • Open Reduction Internal Fixation (ORIF) of fractures