Knee Pain
- Runner’s knee (patellofemoral pain)
- Meniscus tear / meniscal pain
- ACL injury rehab (and post-op ACL)
- MCL/LCL sprain
- Patellar tendinopathy (jumper’s knee)
- Osgood-Schlatter (ties into paeds)
At East Devon Physical Therapy, we help people with knee pain reduce discomfort, restore movement and rebuild strength so they can walk, train, work and return to sport with confidence.
Knee pain can affect people in very different ways. For some, it comes on gradually with running, training or repeated loading. For others, it starts after a twist, awkward movement, impact or sporting injury. It may feel sharp, stiff, unstable, swollen or simply unreliable.
We regularly help people with conditions such as runner’s knee, meniscal pain, ACL injuries, MCL and LCL sprains, patellar tendinopathy and Osgood-Schlatter.
Our role is to assess properly, explain clearly and build a treatment plan that helps you make steady, meaningful progress.
Common knee problems we treat
- Runner’s knee (patellofemoral pain): Runner’s knee often causes pain around or behind the kneecap, especially with running, stairs, squatting, hills or sitting for longer periods.
- Meniscus tear or meniscal pain: Meniscal problems can cause pain within the knee joint, along with stiffness, swelling, catching, discomfort with twisting and reduced confidence loading the knee.
- ACL injury rehab and post-op: ACL rehabilitation ACL injuries can affect stability, confidence, strength and return to sport. Whether you are managing an ACL injury conservatively or recovering after surgery, structured rehabilitation is essential.
- MCL and LCL sprains: Ligament sprains on the inside or outside of the knee can cause pain, tenderness, instability and difficulty with walking, turning or sport.
- Patellar tendinopathy (jumper’s knee): Patellar tendon pain often develops with jumping, sprinting, gym work or repeated loading and can become stubborn if not managed well.
- Osgood-Schlatter Osgood-Schlatter: commonly affects active children and teenagers, causing pain at the front of the knee below the kneecap, especially during sport, running and growth periods.
Common symptoms of knee pain
People with knee problems may experience:
- Pain with walking, running or stairs
- Pain during squatting, lunging or gym work
- Swelling or stiffness in the knee
- Clicking, catching or discomfort with twisting
- Reduced confidence during sport or daily activity
- A feeling of weakness or instability
- Pain after training or repeated loading
- Difficulty returning to impact-based exercise
Not all knee pain is the same, which is why a detailed assessment is important.
Our approach to knee pain treatment
At East Devon Physical Therapy, we do not just focus on the painful area.
We look at how the knee is moving, how well it is tolerating load, how strength and control are being affected, and what needs to change to support recovery.
Your treatment plan may include:
- A detailed knee assessment
- Clear diagnosis and explanation
- Advice on activity modification and load management
- Manual therapy where appropriate
- Mobility work to improve movement
- Targeted exercises to improve strength, control and tolerance to load
- Rehabilitation for walking, running, work and sport
- Balance and stability training where needed
- Structured return-to-sport rehabilitation for ligament and tendon injuries
- PBM laser therapy where clinically appropriate to help calm irritation and support recovery
- Access to advanced rehabilitation equipment such as AlterG and HUR where appropriate
Our aim is to reduce pain, improve function and help you move with more confidence again.
Why knee pain can linger
Knee pain often becomes persistent when the joint remains irritated, strength and control are reduced, or activity is either pushed too hard or avoided for too long.
Rest alone may help temporarily, but if the underlying movement, loading or rehabilitation issues are not addressed, symptoms often return when normal activity increases again.
That is why effective treatment is not just about pain relief. It is about restoring strength, control, confidence and resilience over time.
Why choose East Devon Physical Therapy?
We combine expert clinical assessment with practical, evidence-based rehabilitation tailored to the individual.
Some people need help settling pain and getting back to normal daily activity. Others need more structured rehabilitation after ligament injury, surgery or persistent tendon pain. We adapt treatment to the person in front of us rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach.
Our team focuses on honest advice, clear explanation and meaningful long-term improvement.
Common goals we help with
People often come to us because they want to:
- Reduce knee pain
- Walk and use stairs more comfortably
- Return to running, gym work or sport
- Improve knee strength and stability
- Recover properly after injury or surgery
- Reduce flare-ups and repeated setbacks
- Feel more confident loading the knee again
What to expect
Your first appointment gives us time to understand your symptoms, assess your knee properly and identify the key factors contributing to the problem.
We will explain what we think is going on, what is likely to help and how to start moving things forward.
You will leave with a clear plan, not vague advice or generic exercises.
