Make your assessment practical
Bring your shoes and a goal.
Wear or bring the footwear you use most, and think of one activity – such as stairs, gardening or returning to netball – that you would like to work towards.
About knee pain
Knee pain can come from many sources, including the joint, the kneecap area, tendons, ligaments or cartilage. It may follow a twist or knock, a change in training, or develop gradually, as can happen with osteoarthritis.
Your assessment helps identify which activities are affected and what may be contributing.
What happens at your appointment
We discuss your history and goals and assess movement, strength, balance and how you walk, squat or step. If findings suggest an injury that needs medical review or imaging, we will explain why and help you arrange it with your GP.
Care options we may discuss
- Strengthening and movement exercises.
- Advice on load, activity and return to sport or work.
- Hands-on treatment or taping where appropriate and agreed.
- Footwear considerations, with podiatry input if helpful.
- Regular reviews and plan adjustments.
The approach depends on your assessment and preferences. Results vary between people.
When to seek medical help first
Seek prompt medical review if the knee is hot, red and swollen, you cannot bear weight, the knee locks or gives way repeatedly, or you have a fever.
Physiotherapy is not an emergency service. Call 000 or go to an emergency department for a serious injury, chest pain, sudden weakness or numbness, or if you feel very unwell. See your GP promptly if pain follows a fall or accident, keeps getting worse, wakes you every night, or comes with fever, unexplained weight loss or other new symptoms.
Your physiotherapy appointment.
See Jency Donda, physiotherapist, at our Elizabeth Park clinic – open Mondays 9:00am–5:00pm. No referral is needed for a private appointment. For a GP care plan, NDIS, DVA, Support at Home or WorkCover appointment, check the relevant referral and plan information and our fees and rebates page before booking.
Helpful questions.
I have knee osteoarthritis. Is exercise safe?
Exercise is commonly recommended as part of osteoarthritis management. Your physiotherapist will tailor exercises to your symptoms and goals; see also our arthritis page.
Do you see people after knee surgery?
Yes. See rehabilitation after surgery and bring your surgeon’s instructions.
Should I see a physio or a podiatrist?
Either can be a starting point. If your knee symptoms seem related to your feet or footwear, we can discuss podiatry input with Keep Me Walking Podiatry.
More information: healthdirect: knee pain. This page is general information and is not a substitute for individual advice.
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