Knee pain that won't quit
Knee pain is one of the most common reasons athletes and active adults seek physical therapy. It can come from the kneecap (patellofemoral pain), the tendons (patellar or quad tendinopathy), the meniscus, or the ligaments (ACL, MCL). Most knee pain is not a knee problem in isolation — hip strength, ankle mobility, and how you absorb force all feed into it.
Common symptoms
- — Aching pain in the front of the knee with stairs, squatting, or sitting
- — Sharp pain or catching when twisting or pivoting
- — Swelling after activity
- — A feeling of instability or the knee 'giving way'
- — Stiffness in the morning or after long periods of rest
What causes it
- — Rapid increases in training volume or intensity
- — Weak or delayed glute and quad activation
- — Limited ankle dorsiflexion changing how you load the knee
- — Prior injury or post-surgical changes (ACL, meniscus repair)
- — Poor deceleration and landing mechanics
How we treat it
Movement screen to find where load is actually coming from
Manual therapy and soft-tissue work to restore mobility
Progressive strength work for the quad, glute, and calf complex
Velocity-based resistance training to rebuild force absorption
Return-to-sport testing before we clear you to compete
Questions we get
Do I need an MRI before starting physical therapy?
Usually not. Most knee pain responds to a thorough movement evaluation and loaded rehab. Imaging matters when there's a suspected structural tear, locking, or trauma — we'll tell you if we think you need it.
How long does knee rehab take?
Irritable tendon and kneecap pain often improves within 4-8 weeks. Post-surgical ACL rehab is a 9-12 month process to full return-to-sport.