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Symptoms
Understanding what's causing your knee pain, and how it can be treated. Mr Oni is a consultant hip and knee surgeon offering expert private diagnosis and care across Kent and the South East.
Knee pain explained
Knee pain is one of the most common reasons people seek specialist help, and it affects people of all ages, from active sports players to adults with gradual wear. It can come on suddenly after an injury or build up slowly over time, and it is felt in different ways for different reasons: pain at the front of the knee, deep inside the joint, swelling, or a knee that catches, locks, or gives way. Because so many different problems can cause it, the cause is not always obvious from the symptoms alone.
The most common cause of ongoing knee pain in adults is arthritis, but it can also come from a meniscal (cartilage) tear, from instability, from a mechanical problem such as locking, or from pain around the kneecap. Getting the diagnosis right is the most important first step, which is why Mr Oni begins with a thorough assessment before recommending any treatment. Surgery is never the automatic answer.
Mr Oni is a consultant orthopaedic surgeon specialising exclusively in the hip and knee, offering private diagnosis and treatment across Kent and the South East. Most causes of knee pain are very treatable, and many do not need surgery at all. This guide explains the common causes of knee pain, what the location of your pain can tell you, and when it is worth seeing a specialist.
What causes knee pain
Knee pain has several possible causes, and because they are treated in very different ways, an accurate diagnosis always comes first. These are the causes Mr Oni sees most often. Your symptoms may point to more than one, which is why a proper assessment matters.
Pain felt in the knee sometimes comes from the hip or the lower back rather than the knee joint itself. Hip problems in particular can present as knee pain, often on the inner side. Identifying the true source is part of Mr Oni's assessment, so you are directed to the right care from the start.
Understanding your symptoms
The location of your knee pain, and the way it behaves, are among the biggest clues to what is causing it. Here is what the most common patterns can point to, though only an examination can confirm the cause.
Pain around or behind the kneecap, often worse on stairs, when kneeling, or after sitting for a while, usually points to the patellofemoral joint. This is the typical pattern of runner's knee, common in active people.
Pain on the inner side of the knee is one of the most common patterns, and often points to arthritis or a meniscal (cartilage) tear, as this part of the joint takes the most load. It can be worse on walking, twisting, or getting up from a chair.
A knee that swells, feels tight, or stiffens up, particularly after activity or first thing in the morning, is a common sign of arthritis or a cartilage problem inside the joint. Recurrent swelling is worth having assessed.
A knee that catches, locks, or feels as though it might give way usually points to a mechanical problem, such as a meniscal tear, a loose fragment, or instability. These symptoms are worth checking, as they can limit what you can safely do.
When to seek help
Many aches settle on their own, and it is not always necessary to rush to a specialist. But some signs suggest it is worth being assessed sooner rather than later, because earlier diagnosis usually means simpler, more effective treatment.
Signs it is worth being seen
Not sure what's wrong?
Many patients come to Mr Oni unsure what's causing their hip pain. That's exactly what the first consultation is for. Describe your symptoms and Mr Oni will take it from there, clearly and without pressure.
Getting a diagnosis
How knee pain is treated
Most knee pain is managed without surgery, and the right treatment depends entirely on the cause. Mr Oni provides a full range of options himself, from an injection that can delay or avoid surgery, to keyhole procedures and joint replacement. For physiotherapy and rehabilitation, he works with trusted partners.
A single injection for knee osteoarthritis that cushions the joint and can provide lasting pain relief, offered as an alternative to surgery for suitable patients. Mr Oni delivers Arthrosamid himself as part of his non-surgical care.
A minimally invasive keyhole procedure used to treat mechanical problems such as a meniscal tear, a loose fragment, or a knee that locks or catches. Most patients go home the same day.
For advanced knee arthritis that no longer responds to non-surgical care, a knee replacement relieves pain and restores movement. Mr Oni offers partial and total replacement, using robotic-assisted techniques for greater precision.
Alongside the treatments Mr Oni provides directly, physiotherapy and rehabilitation are an important part of recovery for many knee problems. Mr Oni works with trusted partners and will refer you to the right one for your condition.
For many everyday flare-ups, rest, gentle movement, ice, and simple pain relief help settle symptoms in the short term. What works best depends on the cause, though, so lasting relief usually comes from an accurate diagnosis rather than a quick fix. If your knee pain keeps returning, it is worth having it assessed.
Yes, some knee pain settles on its own, particularly minor strains and short-lived flare-ups. Pain that is persistent, worsening, or comes with swelling, locking, or giving way is less likely to resolve without treatment, and is worth having looked at. Being seen early does not commit you to anything.
Gentle activity is often helpful and staying mobile matters, but pain that is sharp, worsening, or comes with swelling or a knee that gives way is a sign to ease off and seek advice. Mr Oni can tell you what is safe for your particular knee, rather than leaving you to guess.
Pain on stairs is very common and usually points to the kneecap or the cartilage inside the joint, both of which are loaded heavily when climbing or descending. It is a frequent early sign of arthritis or a patellofemoral problem, and is worth assessing if it persists.
These mechanical symptoms usually mean something inside the joint is not moving smoothly, such as a torn meniscus, a loose fragment of cartilage, or instability. A knee that locks or regularly gives way is worth checking, as it can limit what you can safely do and sometimes needs a keyhole procedure to put right.
Usually not. Most knee pain comes from common, treatable causes rather than anything serious. That said, pain that is severe, constant, or comes with a hot, swollen knee or feeling unwell should be assessed promptly, so anything more significant can be ruled out.
get in touch
See Mr Oni at The Horder Centre, The Nuffield Hospital or The Vale Health Clinic.
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