Knee Pain Physiotherapy in West Perth
Knee pain covers a wide range of conditions — and the treatment that works for one won't work for another. At PhysioLogix we identify exactly what's driving your knee pain before any treatment begins, because getting that right is what determines whether you recover properly or keep cycling through the same problem.
Common Types of Knee Pain
Patellofemoral pain syndrome (runner's knee) - Pain behind or around the kneecap, typically worse with running, stairs, squatting, or prolonged sitting. It occurs when the patella doesn't track correctly in its groove — usually driven by a combination of hip weakness, foot mechanics, and quadriceps muscle imbalance. When the gluteus medius is weak, the knee drifts inward during loading. When the vastus lateralis overpowers the vastus medialis, the patella is pulled outward. Identifying which of these factors is present determines the exercise program. Despite the common name "runner's knee," this condition affects gym-goers, cyclists, and desk workers as much as runners.
Patellar tendinopathy (jumper's knee) - An overload injury to the patellar tendon — the tendon running from the bottom of the kneecap to the tibial tuberosity. Common in jumping and running sports, and in gym-based athletes doing significant lower limb loading. Pain is typically localised to the bottom of the kneecap and is worst with loading activities. Like all tendinopathies, it requires progressive loading rehabilitation — not rest alone — to rebuild the tendon's capacity.
IT band syndrome - Pain on the outer side of the knee, typically in runners and cyclists. The iliotibial band — a thick band of connective tissue running from the hip to the outer knee — becomes irritated at the point where it passes over the lateral femoral condyle during repetitive knee flexion and extension. Lateral hip weakness is the most common contributing factor, making this a hip problem as much as a knee problem.
Fat pad syndrome - Pain at the front of the knee, below the kneecap, often worse with full knee extension. The infrapatellar fat pad becomes impinged between the patella and the femur in positions of knee hyperextension. Common in people who stand with locked knees and in dancers. Taping and movement modification provide significant relief, alongside addressing the postural factors driving the impingement.
Acute ligament injuries - Ligament injuries — including ACL, PCL, MCL, and LCL injuries — occur through sudden, high-force movements or contact. Physiotherapy is central to both conservative management of partial tears and pre and post-operative rehabilitation following surgical reconstruction. If you're preparing for or recovering from knee ligament surgery, our dedicated pre and post-operative rehabilitation page has specific information on how that process works.
Osgood-Schlatter disease and Sinding-Larsen-Johansson syndrome - Both conditions affect adolescents during growth spurts — Osgood-Schlatter at the tibial tuberosity (where the patellar tendon attaches to the shinbone) and Sinding-Larsen-Johansson at the lower pole of the patella. Both are load-related and respond well to physiotherapy with appropriate load management during the growth phase.
Muscle imbalances — imbalances between the hip abductors, quadriceps, hamstrings, and calf musculature alter the mechanics of how the knee loads during movement. Identifying which muscles are weak or overactive is central to understanding why the knee is painful.
Biomechanical factors — foot mechanics, hip position, and running or movement technique all influence how load is distributed through the knee. Poor arch control can push the knee inward. Weak glutes allow the knee to collapse. Altered running technique increases tibial stress. The knee is often the victim of a problem originating above or below it.
Training load errors — sudden increases in running distance, frequency, or intensity are one of the most common triggers for overload knee injuries. Tendinopathies and patellofemoral pain in particular are strongly associated with training load spikes that exceed the tissue's current capacity.
Postural habits — sustained positions such as standing with locked knees, prolonged sitting with the knee in flexion, or squatting with excessive inward knee drift can create the repetitive mechanical stress that drives certain knee conditions over time.
Why Knee Pain Develops
How We Treat Knee Pain at PhysioLogix
Assessment covers the knee itself, the hip, the foot, and where relevant, running or movement mechanics. Knee pain rarely exists in isolation — the contributing factors above and below the knee are as important as what's happening at the joint itself.
For gym-based and sporting patients, we assess under load where possible. If your knee hurts on squats, leg press, or running, understanding where the mechanics break down under that specific demand is more useful than a static assessment in isolation. Our gym floor setup allows for this level of assessment in the same space as your treatment.
Hands-on treatment includes soft tissue release, joint mobilisation, taping where appropriate for patellofemoral and fat pad presentations, and dry needling where muscle tightness around the knee and hip is maintaining the mechanical problem
.Exercise rehabilitation is built specifically around your presentation — the muscle imbalances identified in your assessment determine which muscles need strengthening and in what sequence. Programs begin at an appropriate load and progress systematically. Every exercise is explained and written up with photos, descriptions, sets, reps, and frequency so you understand what you're doing between sessions and why. For knee injuries, clinical reformer Pilates allows progressive strengthening and range of motion work without the demands of full weight bearing in the early stages of recovery.
Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication can be a useful adjunct in acute presentations to settle irritation and make rehabilitation more comfortable. We'll advise you on this where appropriate.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does knee pain take to resolve?
This varies significantly depending on the condition and how long it has been present. Patellofemoral pain and IT band syndrome in acute presentations typically respond within six to ten weeks. Tendinopathy takes longer — often three to six months of consistent progressive loading. Acute ligament injuries depend on the severity and whether surgery is involved. We'll give you a realistic timeline at your first appointment based on your specific presentation.
Can knee pain resolve without physiotherapy?
Some acute presentations settle with rest and activity modification, particularly if the aggravating load is removed early. However, without identifying and addressing the underlying biomechanical and muscular drivers, most knee pain conditions recur when activity resumes. Tendinopathies specifically require progressive loading rehabilitation and rarely resolve with rest alone.
Can I keep training with knee pain?
In most cases, yes — with appropriate load modification. Complete rest is rarely the right approach and often delays recovery. The goal is to identify what the knee can tolerate at its current state and continue training within those parameters while the rehabilitation program rebuilds capacity. We'll advise you specifically on this at your first appointment.
Do I need imaging for knee pain?
Not always. Many knee pain presentations are diagnosed clinically. Imaging is useful when there is suspicion of significant structural damage — ligament tears, meniscal injuries, cartilage damage — or when a presentation is not responding as expected. We'll advise you if imaging would be useful for your specific situation.
Where is PhysioLogix located?
6/567 Newcastle Street, West Perth WA 6005. We regularly see patients with shoulder bursitis and impingement from Subiaco, Leederville, North Perth, Nedlands, Mount Hawthorn, and across the inner Perth suburbs. Free street parking is available directly outside with no time limits during clinic hours.
Do I need a referral?
No referral is required. Book directly online using the button bellow Cliniko or call 0450 075 955.
Knee pain that's affecting your training, your work, or your daily life is worth getting properly assessed. Call us on 0450 075 955 and we'll tell you what's likely driving it.