Conditions We Treat
KNEE PAIN
Knee pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal complaints we see at our Sandton practice. Whether it started during a run, after a gym session or simply walking up stairs, the underlying cause usually involves the same thing: the demands placed on the knee are exceeding what the surrounding structures can handle.
The knee doesn't work in isolation. It sits between two powerful joints, the hip and ankle, and its function depends heavily on both. Weak glutes can allow the thigh to rotate inward, changing how the kneecap tracks. Stiff ankles force the knee to compensate. Tight quads, hamstrings or the iliotibial band increase compressive and shearing forces. Even lower back and pelvic dysfunction can alter how load is distributed through the leg.
Common conditions we treat include patellofemoral pain (often called runner's knee), iliotibial band syndrome, patellar tendinopathy, meniscal irritation, ligament sprains and post-surgical rehabilitation. Many of these share overlapping contributing factors, which is why a thorough assessment of the full kinetic chain matters more than a label.
Current evidence supports exercise-based rehabilitation for knee pain. A Cochrane review of 31 trials found that combined hip and knee strengthening produces better outcomes than targeting the knee alone. A 2024 meta-analysis also found that lumbopelvic manipulation helps reduce knee pain when paired with exercise.
Our approach combines spinal and pelvic adjustments, knee and patella mobilisation, soft tissue therapy and a structured rehab programme built around progressive strengthening. For runners and athletes, we also review training load and movement patterns to reduce the risk of recurrence.
COMMON SYMPTOMS OF KNEE PAIN
- A dull, aching pain around or behind the kneecap
- Sharp pain with squatting, lunging or going up and down stairs
- Discomfort after prolonged sitting with the knee bent
- Pain during or after running, walking or sport
- A grinding, clicking or crunching sensation when bending the knee
- Stiffness in the knee after rest or first thing in the morning
- Swelling around the front or sides of the knee
- Pain along the outside of the knee (IT band area)
- A feeling of weakness, giving way or instability
- Pain that keeps returning despite rest
Knee pain often responds to the right combination of hands-on treatment and targeted rehabilitation. The key is identifying all the contributing factors, not just treating symptoms at the knee itself.
Our Morningside practice is convenient for runners and athletes across Sandton, Bryanston, Fourways, Midrand and greater Johannesburg. If you are a runner, our running injury risk screen can help you identify factors that may be contributing to your knee pain.
Book an appointment at our Sandton practice and let us help you get back to moving without knee pain.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Chiropractors treat a wide range of knee conditions including runner's knee, IT band syndrome, patellar tendinopathy and post-surgical rehabilitation. Treatment addresses the full kinetic chain, including the hip, pelvis and ankle, not just the knee itself.
Runner's knee (patellofemoral pain) is usually caused by a combination of factors: weak gluteal muscles, tight quadriceps, poor hip control, stiff ankles and training errors. It creates pain around or behind the kneecap, especially with squatting, stairs and prolonged sitting.
Not always. Many knee conditions can be accurately diagnosed through a clinical examination. Your chiropractor will perform orthopaedic and functional tests and refer for imaging only when the findings suggest it would change the treatment approach.
In most cases, targeted exercise is far more effective than prolonged rest. A Cochrane review found that combined hip and knee strengthening produces better outcomes than knee exercises alone. Your chiropractor will prescribe exercises appropriate for your specific condition.
Knee clicking without pain is usually harmless and caused by gas bubbles in the joint fluid or tendons gliding over bony structures. Clicking with pain, swelling or a catching sensation may indicate a meniscal or cartilage issue and should be assessed.