# Knee pain - Web page: https://kainezitherapy.com/en/conditions/knee/knee-pain/ - Body area: [Knee](https://kainezitherapy.com/en/conditions/knee.md) - Recommended treatment: - [TECAR therapy](https://kainezitherapy.com/en/services/physiotherapy/tecar-therapy.md): €25.00, 20 min - [Ultrasound therapy](https://kainezitherapy.com/en/services/physiotherapy/ultrasound-therapy.md): €25.00, 15 min - [Kinesio taping (one area)](https://kainezitherapy.com/en/services/kinesitherapy/kinesio-taping.md): €25.00, 20 min - Address: 10 Popovo Street, Lozenets, Sofia, 1409 - Opening hours: Mon - Fri | 9:00 - 19:00 - Phone: +359 886 750 462 - WhatsApp: +359 886 750 462 - Viber: +359 886 750 462 - Book online: https://superdoc.bg/lekar/kaloyan-zarkov - Booking page: https://kainezitherapy.com/en/appointments/ Knee pain when bending, at the front, on the outer side or on the inner side. Where it hurts points to where the pain comes from. ## At a glance - **How it feels** Pain when bending, squatting, on stairs or after walking - **How long treatment takes** Usually 4–8 sessions - **Surgery** Rarely; depends on the cause Knee pain is one of the most common reasons to see a kinesitherapist (physiotherapist), in young and older people alike. The knee carries your body weight and bends with every step, so it is easily overloaded. Where it hurts points to where the problem comes from: at the front it is most often the kneecap, on the inner side the meniscus or osteoarthritis, and on the outer side the tendons and the fascia. This page helps you find your way, and the individual conditions have their own pages. ## Symptoms - Pain at the front, around the kneecap, when squatting, going downstairs or sitting for a long time with your knees bent. - Pain on the inner side, often from [knee osteoarthritis (gonarthrosis)](https://kainezitherapy.com/en/conditions/knee/gonarthrosis/) or a damaged meniscus. - Pain on the outer side, in runners and cyclists, from an overloaded band of fascia along the thigh. - Pain when bending, and clicking or locking of the knee, which suggest a [meniscus tear](https://kainezitherapy.com/en/conditions/knee/meniscus-tear/). - Instability: the knee gives way, most often after a [torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)](https://kainezitherapy.com/en/conditions/knee/acl-tear/). - Swelling and stiffness in the morning. Pain at the front of the knee is especially common in young people and in those who run or jump. After the age of 50, pain on the inner side is more common, because of wear of the joint. Pain after an injury, with swelling in the first hours, is always a reason to have it examined. ## Why it happens - Overload: running, jumping, suddenly training more. - Weak thigh and buttock muscles that don’t keep the knee stable. - Wear of the cartilage over the years. - Sports injuries: a twist with the foot planted, a blow, a fall. - Being overweight, which loads the joint with every step. - A foot that rolls inwards, or unsuitable running shoes. Often the cause is not one thing but several together: for example, weak buttock muscles and a sudden increase in running. That is why Kaloyan also looks at your pelvis and foot, not only the knee. ## How we treat it Kaloyan asks when and where it hurts, watches how you squat, walk and put your foot down, and tests the ligaments and menisci. Bring your MRI or X-rays if you have them. If a torn ligament or meniscus is suspected and you don’t have a scan, he will refer you for an MRI or to an orthopaedic doctor. For pain from overload and for osteoarthritis he often uses [TECAR therapy](https://kainezitherapy.com/en/services/physiotherapy/tecar-therapy/), because it reduces pain and prepares the knee for exercise. For irritated tendons around the kneecap or on the outer side, [ultrasound therapy](https://kainezitherapy.com/en/services/physiotherapy/ultrasound-therapy/) is suitable. [Kinesio taping](https://kainezitherapy.com/en/services/kinesitherapy/kinesio-taping/) takes the load off the kneecap and tendons while you return to sport or longer walks. The basis of all treatment, though, is exercise for the thigh and buttock muscles, because they take over part of the load on the knee. Usually 4–8 sessions are needed, 2–3 times a week. If you run, Kaloyan also asks how much you have increased your mileage. ## What you can do yourself - Temporarily cut back on what makes the pain worse: squatting, stairs, running downhill. - Don’t stop moving completely. Cycling and swimming usually load the knee less. - If the knee swells after activity, apply cold for a short time and raise your leg. - Increase your training gradually, not all at once. - On stairs, step up with the healthy leg first and down with the sore one first. - If you sit for a long time with your knees bent, at the cinema or on a plane, straighten your legs from time to time. ## When to see a doctor first See a doctor first in these cases: - The knee swelled up straight after an injury, or you can’t put weight on it. - The knee locks and won’t straighten. - The joint is hot and red and you have a fever. - Your lower leg is swollen, painful and warm. - The pain is severe even at night, and there was no injury. Performed by ## Kaloyan Zarkov, kinesitherapist - Kinesitherapy degree, NSA “Vassil Levski” - 10+ years of practice [About us](https://kainezitherapy.com/en/about/) ## Frequently asked questions ### What causes knee pain when bending? The most common causes are an irritated kneecap, a damaged meniscus and osteoarthritis. Where the pain is and the movement that brings it on help to work out which it is. ### What does pain on the outer side of the knee mean? On the outside it is most often an overloaded band of fascia along the outer thigh, which is common in runners. On the inside it is more often the meniscus, osteoarthritis or a tendon. ### What should I do if I have inner knee pain? Reduce the load and check whether there is swelling or locking. If the pain lasts more than 1–2 weeks, have Kaloyan or an orthopaedic doctor examine the knee. ### Do I need an MRI for knee pain? Not always. An MRI is needed if a torn meniscus or ligament is suspected, or if the pain doesn’t go away with treatment. ### Can I run if my knee hurts? It depends on the cause and how much it hurts. Mild discomfort that passes within a day is usually acceptable. Pain that makes you limp or gets worse means a break from running and an examination. ## Other conditions in “Knee” [All about knee](https://kainezitherapy.com/en/conditions/knee/) - [Knee osteoarthritis](https://kainezitherapy.com/en/conditions/knee/gonarthrosis/) - [Meniscus tear](https://kainezitherapy.com/en/conditions/knee/meniscus-tear/) - [ACL tear](https://kainezitherapy.com/en/conditions/knee/acl-tear/) ## Want to improve your health? Get in touch for a personal consultation. [Book an appointment](https://kainezitherapy.com/en/appointments/) [+359 886 750 462](tel:+359886750462)