Knee Pain: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Pain In Or Around Your Knee?

Knee pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal complaints affecting people of all ages and activity levels.

For some people, symptoms develop gradually over time. For others, knee pain may appear suddenly and begin affecting walking, exercise and everyday activities.

Many people describe:

• Pain around the kneecap

• Pain when walking or running

• Pain going up or down stairs

• Stiffness after sitting

• Swelling around the knee

• Clicking or grinding sensations

• Difficulty exercising

• Reduced confidence in movement

At Callen Olive, we regularly assess and manage knee pain, helping people understand why their symptoms have developed and create personalised treatment plans designed around their lifestyle and goals.

You're Not Alone

Knee pain can affect:

• Walkers

• Runners

• Golfers

• Footballers

• Tennis and racquet sport players

• Busy parents

• Healthcare professionals

• Active retirees

• Children and teenagers involved in regular sport

Many people assume knee pain is simply an inevitable part of ageing or something they must learn to live with.

Often, there is far more that can be done.

Could Your Feet Be Contributing To Your Knee Pain?

Your feet form the foundation of movement.

Every step you take creates a chain reaction through the ankles, knees, hips and lower back.

If the feet do not function efficiently, excessive forces may travel further up the body and place additional stress on structures around the knee.

Potential contributors may include:

• Flat feet

• Excessive pronation

• Collapsed arches

• Hypermobility

• Leg length differences

• Reduced ankle mobility

• Poor footwear

• Walking and running mechanics

This does not mean that every knee problem originates in the feet.

However, understanding how the feet and lower limbs work together can often provide valuable insight into recurring symptoms.

What Causes Knee Pain?

There is rarely one single cause.

Several factors often work together.

Overuse

Repetitive loading during walking, running or exercise can gradually irritate structures around the knee.

Biomechanics

The way your feet and lower limbs move can influence the forces travelling through the knee joint.

Previous Injury

Previous injuries may alter movement patterns and increase stress on certain tissues.

Muscle Weakness & Imbalance

Reduced strength and stability can affect how efficiently the knee absorbs and transfers load.

Arthritis

Age-related changes within the joint may contribute to pain and stiffness.

Growth & Development

Children and teenagers often experience knee pain during periods of rapid growth and increased sporting activity.

Often, several factors are involved rather than one single cause.

Knee Pain In Sport

Knee pain is particularly common in active individuals.

We regularly assess knee pain in:

• Runners

• Footballers

• Rugby players

• Netball players

• Tennis players

• Golfers

• Gym users

Repetitive loading combined with poor movement patterns, training errors and insufficient recovery can increase the risk of persistent symptoms.

Our goal is to help people remain active whilst identifying the factors contributing to pain.

Knee Pain In Children & Teenagers

Knee pain is also common in children and adolescents.

Rapid growth, increased training loads and biomechanical factors can all contribute to symptoms.

Many young athletes experience:

• Pain around the kneecap

• Pain during or after sport

• Discomfort when running

• Pain during squatting or stair climbing

Early assessment can help identify factors that may be increasing stress on the lower limbs and support safe participation in activity.

Why Early Assessment Matters

Many people continue walking, exercising or playing sport despite persistent knee pain.

Unfortunately, compensation patterns often develop over time and symptoms can become increasingly limiting.

Early assessment may help:

• Identify contributing factors

• Reduce pain

• Improve lower limb function

• Maintain activity levels

• Improve movement efficiency

• Reduce compensation patterns

• Support long-term mobility

At Callen Olive, we believe understanding why symptoms have developed is just as important as reducing pain.

How We Assess Knee Pain

Assessment begins with understanding your symptoms and how they are affecting your everyday life and activity.

This may include:

• Detailed medical history

• Foot posture assessment

• Lower limb alignment assessment

• Biomechanical assessment

• OptoGait gait analysis

• Footwear assessment

• Joint mobility assessment

• Activity and lifestyle review

By understanding how your feet and lower limbs function together, we can create a personalised treatment plan tailored to your individual needs and goals.

Your Personalised Treatment Plan

Treatment depends on the cause of symptoms and the factors contributing to excessive loading.

Biomechanics & Gait Analysis

Understanding how your body moves often provides valuable insight into the source of pain.

Custom Foot Orthotics

Custom Foot Orthotics may help improve foot function, reduce excessive movement and improve lower limb alignment.

Footwear Advice

Appropriate footwear can improve support and reduce unnecessary stress during walking and exercise.

Rehabilitation Exercises

Targeted exercises may help improve strength, stability and movement patterns.

Shockwave Therapy

In some cases, Shockwave Therapy may be recommended to support healing within irritated soft tissues.

Podiatric Acupuncture

Podiatric acupuncture may be used alongside other treatments to help manage pain and improve function.

Our goal is not simply to reduce pain.

Our goal is to help you walk comfortably, remain active and continue enjoying the activities that matter most to you.

Why Choose Callen Olive?

We Care.

We understand how frustrating knee pain can be.

Pain and stiffness can affect confidence, fitness goals and the ability to enjoy everyday life.

Our experienced clinicians combine biomechanics, gait analysis and personalised treatment planning to understand how your feet and lower limbs function together and identify the factors contributing to your symptoms.

Because healthy movement plays an important role in living an active, fulfilling and independent life.

Healthy Feet. Healthy Body. Healthy Mind.

Treatment Fees

No two patients are the same.

That's why every treatment plan is tailored to your individual needs, lifestyle and goals. Following your assessment, your clinician will explain the treatment options available and help you choose the most appropriate pathway to achieve the best possible outcome.

Our focus is always on helping you achieve the best possible outcome for your comfort, mobility and long-term wellbeing.

New Patient Biomechanics Assessment: £180

New Patient Biomechanics Assessment with Principal Podiatrist: £225

Our team will support you throughout every stage of your recovery to ensure you feel informed, reassured and cared for.

If you are unsure which appointment is most suitable, our Patient Care Team will be happy to help.

Call us on +44 333 305 8347.

Related Conditions

• Flat Feet

• Hypermobility

• Shin Splints

• Achilles Tendinopathy

• Ankle Pain

• Sports Injuries

Related Treatments

• Biomechanical Assessment

• OptoGait Gait Analysis

• Custom Foot Orthotics

• Shockwave Therapy

• Podiatric Acupuncture

Frequently Asked Questions

Can flat feet cause knee pain?

Yes. In some people, flat feet and excessive pronation can alter lower limb mechanics and increase stress around the knee.

Can orthotics help knee pain?

For some people, Custom Foot Orthotics may help improve biomechanics and reduce excessive forces acting on the knee.

Why does my knee hurt when I run?

Running places significant forces through the lower limbs. Biomechanics, training errors, muscle weakness and footwear can all contribute to symptoms.

Can children get knee pain from sport?

Yes. Growth, increased training loads and movement patterns can all contribute to knee pain in children and teenagers.

When should I seek professional advice?

Professional assessment is recommended if symptoms are persistent, repeatedly returning or beginning to affect walking, exercise and everyday activities.

Don't Let Knee Pain Limit Your Movement

Early assessment and treatment can often help reduce pain, improve lower limb function and support your return to the activities you enjoy.

Book your assessment today and take the first step towards moving with comfort, confidence and ease.