Why Does My Knee Hurt?
Your knee buckles on stairs. It swells after a run. It aches when you sit for too long and creaks when you stand. The knee is the largest and one of the most complex joints in the body, and knee pain can stem from a variety of structures – cartilage, ligaments, tendons, menisci, or the joint lining itself. At our practice in Zürich Seefeld, I help patients identify exactly what is causing their knee pain and create an effective treatment plan.
Common Causes of Knee Pain
Patellofemoral pain syndrome: Pain around or behind the kneecap, often worsened by stairs, squatting, or prolonged sitting. It is the most common cause of anterior knee pain, particularly in younger patients and runners, and is typically related to muscular imbalance or biomechanical issues.
Osteoarthritis: Degenerative changes in the knee joint, causing stiffness, swelling, and pain that worsens with activity. While it increases with age, it is not purely a wear-and-tear condition – inflammation, metabolic factors, and muscle weakness all contribute.
Meniscal tears: The menisci are C-shaped cartilage pads that cushion the knee. Tears can occur from acute injury (twisting) or gradual degeneration. Symptoms include pain, clicking, catching, and sometimes locking of the knee.
Ligament injuries: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), medial collateral ligament (MCL), and other ligament injuries cause instability, swelling, and pain, usually following a specific injury.
Iliotibial band syndrome: Pain on the outer side of the knee, common in runners and cyclists, caused by friction of the IT band over the lateral femoral condyle.
Patellar tendinopathy: Pain at the front of the knee just below the kneecap, common in jumping sports and activities involving repetitive knee loading.
Baker’s cyst: A fluid-filled swelling behind the knee, often secondary to other knee pathology such as arthritis or meniscal tears.
Referred pain: Hip pathology can refer pain to the knee, and this is particularly important to consider in children and adolescents.
When to See a Doctor
Seek evaluation if your knee is significantly swollen, unstable (giving way), locked (unable to fully straighten or bend), painful after a specific injury, or if pain persists beyond two weeks despite rest and self-care.
Our Diagnostic Approach
Clinical examination is the cornerstone – specific tests can identify meniscal tears, ligament instability, patellofemoral dysfunction, and other pathologies with good accuracy. I also assess hip strength and foot biomechanics, as these directly influence knee loading. X-rays may be needed to assess for arthritis or fractures. MRI is reserved for cases where surgery is being considered or when the diagnosis remains uncertain after clinical evaluation. Blood tests may be appropriate if inflammatory arthritis or gout is suspected.
What We Do: Getting You Back on Your Feet
Accurate diagnosis: Treatment depends entirely on the cause. Patellofemoral pain requires different management than a meniscal tear or osteoarthritis.
Targeted physiotherapy: For most knee conditions, the right exercises are the most effective treatment. Quadriceps strengthening, hip stabilisation, and addressing biomechanical factors are key.
Weight management: For every kilogram of body weight lost, the load on the knee during walking reduces by approximately four kilograms. Weight management is one of the most powerful interventions for knee osteoarthritis.
Anti-inflammatory strategies: Both pharmaceutical (short-term NSAIDs when appropriate) and natural (omega-3, curcumin) approaches to manage inflammation.
Joint support: Collagen peptides, glucosamine, hyaluronic acid supplementation, and vitamin D optimisation to support cartilage health.
Surgical referral when needed: For significant ligament injuries, locked meniscal tears, or advanced arthritis not responding to conservative management, I coordinate with trusted orthopaedic surgeons.
Conclusion
Knee pain has many possible causes, and effective treatment starts with accurate diagnosis. Whether your knee pain is from running, arthritis, or a specific injury, a thorough evaluation at our practice in Zürich Seefeld will identify the problem and get you on the path to recovery.
