Knee pain needs a proper assessment before you decide what to do next
Knee pain is not one single condition. Pain at the front of the knee, along the inside or outside, or behind the joint can come from different tissues and movement patterns. Even two people with pain in the same area may have quite different reasons for their symptoms.
A knee pain assessment may look at the joint itself as well as kneecap movement, hip strength, ankle mobility, foot mechanics and the way you walk, squat or use stairs. Dr Austin may also consider training load, previous injuries, recent changes in activity and any signs that suggest imaging or referral for medical review may be appropriate.
The goal is to work out whether the symptoms are more likely to involve load, stiffness, weakness, joint irritation, tendon pain, arthritis, referred pain or another issue that needs further investigation. A more accurate assessment can reduce the risk of doing random exercises, resting longer than necessary or repeatedly pushing through pain without understanding why it keeps flaring.
If joint wear is a factor, osteopathy for arthritis can help manage your symptoms.
Common knee pain problems we assess and manage
Some knee problems begin suddenly after a twist, fall, awkward landing or sporting injury. Others develop gradually after repeated loading, an increase in running or gym work, long periods of sitting, or changes in mobility and strength.
Knee pain can affect much more than exercise. It may change how someone walks, uses stairs, works, gets up from a chair or moves through the day. Over time, people can also become hesitant about activities they previously did without thinking.
Osteopathic care may support some forms of musculoskeletal knee pain by addressing related joint restriction, muscle tension and movement factors. Treatment may also include advice on activity and a gradual return to normal loading where appropriate.
Common presentations Dr Austin may assess include:
- Knee osteoarthritis-related pain and stiffness
- Patellofemoral pain around or behind the kneecap
- Tendon overload, including patellar or quadriceps tendon pain
- Meniscus-related pain or catching symptoms
- Ligament sprains or post-injury stiffness
- ITB-related outer knee pain
- Pain with stairs, squats or kneeling
- Running-related knee pain
- Knee pain linked with hip, ankle or foot mechanics
- Persistent knee pain after an old injury
Some knee symptoms need medical assessment rather than routine osteopathic management alone. Significant swelling, locking, instability, inability to bear weight, fever, severe trauma, unexplained night pain or rapidly worsening symptoms should be taken seriously. Healthdirect also advises that medical assessment may be needed following knee injury depending on the symptoms and suspected cause.
Not sure what to expect? Learn how osteopathy works and how it can help with your knee.
How osteopathy may help with knee pain
Osteopathy for knee pain may involve hands-on treatment to the knee and surrounding areas, depending on what the assessment finds. The hip, ankle, foot, lower back and pelvis may also be relevant where their movement or function appears to influence how the knee is being loaded.
Treatment may include joint mobilisation, soft tissue therapy, movement advice, exercise progression and pain education. Dr Austin may also discuss how much activity to maintain, what to modify temporarily and how to build back towards walking, running, gym training or other activities without increasing load too quickly.
The knee does not work in isolation. Hip control, ankle mobility, foot position, calf capacity and overall training load can all influence how well the knee tolerates daily activity or sport. Looking at these factors can be useful when symptoms keep returning despite focusing only on the knee.
For people with osteoarthritis, the aim is not to claim that osteopathy repairs cartilage or reverses structural change. Care instead focuses on mobility, strength, education, load management and practical ways to support symptoms and function.
For knee issues that have lingered for months, read about how we approach persistent pain.
Knee pain from arthritis, sport or everyday load can need different plans
There is no single knee pain plan that suits everyone. An older adult with osteoarthritis-related stiffness, a runner with outer knee pain, a gym-goer who develops pain during squats and an office worker who feels stiff after sitting may all need different advice.
Arthritis-related symptoms may benefit from a focus on strength, mobility, pacing and symptom management. Running-related knee pain may require a closer look at training load, hip and calf capacity, and how quickly distance or intensity has increased. Gym-related pain may involve adjustments to technique, range, load or recovery.
Post-injury knee pain may require assessment of swelling, instability, stiffness and readiness to return to activity. When symptoms have persisted for a long time, it may also be useful to consider confidence in movement, sleep, stress and patterns of avoiding or overdoing activity.
Dr Austin’s background in pain medicine is particularly relevant for persistent knee pain. Pain intensity does not always match the amount of tissue damage, especially once symptoms have been present for an extended period. Understanding this can reduce unnecessary fear and help patients make more informed decisions about movement, exercise and recovery.
Why choose Dr Phil Austin for knee pain osteopathy in Sydney?
Dr Phil Austin is an AHPRA-registered osteopath with 30 years of clinical practice. He holds a PhD in Pain Medicine and an MSc in Pain Management, and combines evidence-informed manual therapy with patient education and practical management advice.
His clinical experience includes musculoskeletal problems, sports-related presentations and persistent pain. Treatment is hands-on where appropriate, but the consultation also looks at how the knee is functioning, what may be contributing to the symptoms and what the patient can do outside the clinic.
The aim is to give patients a clearer understanding of their knee pain and a practical plan rather than simply treating the sore area and waiting to see if it settles.
Dr Austin consults at St Luke’s Clinic in Potts Point, close to the Sydney CBD, Kings Cross, Darlinghurst, Edgecliff and the Eastern Suburbs. Eligible patients may also be able to access private health rebates, Medicare Chronic Disease Management referrals, DVA and WorkCover pathways.
Book a knee pain appointment in Potts Point
If knee pain is affecting walking, stairs, exercise, work, sleep or confidence in movement, an assessment may help clarify what is contributing to the problem and what steps are appropriate from here.
Patients can book online or call the clinic to arrange an appointment.
If knee pain is limiting how you move, train or get through the day, book an appointment with Dr Phil Austin at Osteopath Sydney in Potts Point.