Knee pain can come from many sources, from sport and overload to everyday wear. We assess yours carefully and build a progressive plan around your goals.
Common symptoms
- Pain at the front of the knee, around or under the kneecap, often worse on stairs or after sitting
- Aching or sharp pain on the inside or outside of the joint
- Swelling, puffiness or a feeling of heat around the knee
- Stiffness first thing in the morning or after rest
- Clicking, grinding or a sense the knee might give way
- Trouble fully straightening or bending the knee
- Pain that flares with running, squatting, kneeling or going downhill
What causes it
- Patellofemoral pain, where the kneecap and the way it tracks become irritated
- Tendon-related pain, such as patellar or quadriceps tendinopathy from training load
- Ligament and meniscus injuries after a twist or impact
- Osteoarthritis and age-related joint changes
- Overload from a sudden jump in running, sport or gym work
- Weakness or imbalance through the hip, thigh and calf that changes how the knee is loaded
How we help at PhysioFlexx Falkirk
A thorough assessment
We start by listening to your story, then look at how your knee moves and how your hip, thigh and foot share the load. Where it helps, we use objective movement and strength testing to measure properly and track real change over time.
Hands-on therapy
Treatment might include manual therapy to ease stiffness and settle symptoms, alongside options such as sports massage, acupuncture and dry needling, or shockwave therapy for certain stubborn tendon problems.
Tailored exercise
This is the part that tends to make the difference for knees. We design a rehab plan that fits your goals, time and starting point, follow current evidence, and adjust it as you progress to help reduce pain and rebuild confidence.
What to expect
What your first appointment looks like
Your first visit is mostly about understanding you. We ask about your symptoms, history, work and what you are hoping to get back to, then examine the knee, often look at how you move and load it, and where useful run some objective testing. We explain what we think is going on in plain language, start treatment on the day where appropriate, and give you a clear first step. Wear comfortable clothing; shorts are handy so we can see the knee properly.
Recovery and what to expect
Recovery depends on the cause, how long it has been going on and how your knee responds, so we will not promise a fixed timeline. Many knee problems respond well to a structured, progressive plan, and staying active in the right way usually helps more than resting completely. Some people feel a shift within a few sessions; others, particularly with tendon or arthritis-related pain, are working to a longer arc. We review progress against your testing and change course if something is not working.
When to seek urgent medical help
Most cases are not serious, but please do not wait for a physiotherapy appointment. Contact your GP, call NHS 111, or go to A&E if you have any of the following:
- A knee that is hot, very swollen and painful alongside feeling unwell or feverish
- Significant trauma where you cannot bear weight or the knee looks deformed
- A knee that locks, repeatedly gives way or suddenly cannot straighten
- Calf pain, swelling, redness or warmth, which needs checking promptly
Frequently asked questions
No. You can book directly with us as a self-referring patient. If you are claiming through insurance, your provider may have their own requirements, so it is worth checking with them first. We are recognised by Bupa.
For most knee pain, complete rest is rarely the answer. Gentle, sensible movement usually helps, while we adjust the loads that are aggravating things. Part of your assessment is working out which activities to ease off and which to keep.
Often it can. While we cannot reverse joint changes or guarantee outcomes, evidence-based exercise and self-management can help reduce pain, improve strength and keep you doing the things that matter. We will be honest about what is realistic for your knee.