Knee pain can often be treated at home. You should start to feel better in a few days. Call 111 if the pain is very bad.
How to ease knee pain and swelling
Try these things at first:
Some knee pain, especially pain caused by osteoarthritis, will likely be permanent. That’s because the structure of the knee is damaged. Without surgery or another type of extensive treatment. Symptoms include pain (particularly when the knee is straightened), swelling, occasional “clicking” or “locking” of the knee joint (caused by loose pieces of the meniscus), and difficulty squatting or getting up from a chair. Severe knee pain can occur in people of all ages for a range of reasons. Knowing the cause of severe knee pain can help a person seek treatment, relieve symptoms, and regain mobility. Inner knee pain may be caused by a sprain or tear in the medial collateral ligament or MCL. This is usually caused by an injury where there has been excessive twisting and tearing of the MCL. Sudden knee pain could indicate the onset of osteoarthritis (OA). OA is the most common type of arthritis. Older people, especially athletes and people in trades like construction who often.
- put as little weight as possible on your knee – for example, avoid standing for a long time
- use an ice pack (or bag of frozen peas wrapped in a tea towel) on your knee for up to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours
- take paracetamol
- your knee pain does not improve within a few weeks
- your knee locks, painfully clicks or gives way – painless clicking is normal
Coronavirus update: how to contact a GP
It's still important to get help from a GP if you need it. To contact your GP surgery:
- visit their website
- use the NHS App
- call them
- your knee is very painful
- you cannot move your knee or put any weight on it
- your knee is badly swollen or has changed shape
- you have a very high temperature, feel hot and shivery, and have redness or heat around your knee – this can be a sign of infection
111 will tell you what to do. They can tell you the right place to get help if you need to see someone.
Go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111.
Go to an urgent treatment centre
You can also go to an urgent treatment centre if you need to see someone now.
They're also called walk-in centres or minor injuries units.
You may be seen quicker than you would at A&E.
Treatment from a GP
A doctor can suggest treatment based on what's causing your knee pain.
They might:
- prescribe medicine or physiotherapy
- refer you to hospital for a scan or specialist treatment (for example, surgery)
Common causes of knee pain
Knee pain can be a symptom of many different conditions.
This information might give you an idea of what the cause might be. But do not self-diagnose – see a GP if you're worried.
Occasional Knee Pain When Walking
Knee pain after an injury
| Knee symptoms | Possible cause |
|---|---|
| Pain after overstretching, overusing or twisting, often during exercise | Sprains and strains |
| Pain between your kneecap and shin, often caused by repetitive running or jumping | Tendonitis |
| Unstable, gives way when you try to stand, unable to straighten, may hear a popping sound during injury | Torn ligament, tendon or meniscus, cartilage damage |
| Teenagers and young adults with pain and swelling below kneecap | Osgood-Schlatter's disease |
| Kneecap changes shape after a collision or sudden change in direction | Dislocated kneecap |
Knee pain with no obvious injury
Top Of Knee Cap Pain
| Knee symptoms | Possible cause |
|---|---|
| Pain and stiffness in both knees, mild swelling, more common in older people | Osteoarthritis |
| Warm and red, kneeling or bending makes pain and swelling worse | Bursitis |
| Swelling, warmth, bruising, more likely while taking anticoagulants | Bleeding in the joint |
| Hot and red, sudden attacks of very bad pain | Gout or septic arthritis |
Occasional Knee Pain Symptoms
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Page last reviewed: 12 January 2021
Next review due: 12 January 2024