Knee pain

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS)

One type of pain is at the front or around your kneecap, usually caused by a repetitive change in load on the kneecap. We call this Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS).^{Footnote [2]}

This is often down to weaker hip muscles or a change in activity. If there’s repeated stress it can be painful. You may have heard of it as ‘runner’s knee’, which is the same thing and tends to happen with really active people.

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, you may have PFPS:

• A dull, aching sensation, especially if it’s behind or around your knee
• Pain that gets worse when you bend your knee – walking, running, or climbing stairs
• Pain after prolonged periods of sitting
• Feeling a popping or grinding sensation when bending your knee
• The pain gets worse during or after increased activity or exercise

Bursitis

Bursitis knee is inflammation of bursas, which are small fluid-filled sacs in your knee. The bursas act as a cushion between bones and soft tissue, reducing friction and allowing smooth movement.^{Footnote [3]}

If you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms, it might be a sign of bursitis knee:

• Pain and tenderness around the affected bursa
• Swelling and warmth
• Limited range of movement 
• Discomfort that’s made worse by moving or pressing on it

Prolonged kneeling and repetitive movements are often the cause, during activities like gardening or certain sports. 

Tendonitis

Also referred to as tendinopathy of the knee, tendonitis can affect tendons around the knee. It’s frequently caused by overuse or repetitive stress on the knee joint, especially in activities that involve jumping or quick changes in direction.^{Footnote [4]}

These are some of the symptoms of tendonitis in the knee:

• Pain around the front of your knee, just below the kneecap 
• Swelling and tenderness around the affected area
• Stiffness in your knee, especially after periods of inactivity 
• Worsening pain during activities like running, jumping, or kneeling

Osgood Schlatter disease 

Osgood-Schlatter disease is a condition that primarily affects children, especially those who are physically active and going through growth spurts. It happens when the tendon that attaches the kneecap to the shinbone is pulled, and can cause pain in the raised bone in front of the knee.^{Footnote [5]}

Fortunately, any tenderness and swelling almost always stops as the growth spurt ends. But it’s wise to take a rest from high impact activities like running if the knee pain has flared up.

It’s okay to use ice packs to cool the area and help with swelling, and you can take medication like ibuprofen, but we’d always recommend speaking with a doctor first.

There are several treatments for knee pain, depending on the problem. A healthcare professional may advise the following: ^{Footnote [1]}

Self help 

• Resting your knee and give it time to heal
• Modifying activities and reduce any high impact activities
• Applying ice regularly to reduce swelling and help manage the pain
• Raising your leg when resting to reduce swelling

Medicines 

Pain relief medications and anti-inflammatories like paracetamol or ibuprofen gel or tablets can help reduce pain and inflammation in your knee. They can have side effects, so you’d need to speak with a doctor or pharmacist first. 

You might also be offered a steroid injection, also known as a corticosteroid injection, in your knee to help reduce inflammation and pain, especially if you have arthritis or bursitis.^{Footnote [3]}

Physiotherapy

An evidenced-based healthcare profession, physiotherapists are specialists in assessing, treating and managing knee pain. Based on a full assessment, you may be given a specific exercise programme for strengthening the muscles around your knee and in your lower limbs. These exercises are designed to help provide better support and reduce stress to your knee joint. You may also be given advice on modifying activity and manging daily activities. 

Surgery

 If you’ve sustained a major injury to your knee, or you have symptoms that haven’t improved with conservative treatment, you may need an assessment with an Orthopaedic Surgeon to see if you might need surgery. 

Knee reconstruction

One of the most common types of knee reconstruction is surgery to repair your anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). The ACL is a band of tissue joining your thigh bone to your shin bone through the knee.^{Footnote [6]}

Along with other internal knee ligaments, it gives your knee stability and back and forth movement of your lower leg. If you tear it, you may be considered for reconstruction surgery. 

Knee replacement

A knee replacement may help support improved mobility and movement caused by osteoarthritis (the condition that causes your joints to become painful and stiff).^{Footnote [7]}

There are two types of knee replacement:

• Total knee replacement (TKR): the most common type of knee replacement. The lower end of your thigh bone and the upper end of your shin bone are replaced with metal and plastic parts. 
• Partial knee replacement (PKR): common if you have arthritis in one half of your knee. Only the bones on the affected side are replaced with metal or plastic parts.^{Footnote [8]}

Healthcare professionals often recommend a range of measures that may help make knee problems less likely to develop. It's always a good idea to get personalised advice from a doctor or physiotherapist if you're worried about developing knee problems.

• Maintain a healthy weight: excess weight puts additional stress on your joints and increases the risk of knee problems and arthritis.
• Stay active with regular exercise: regular exercise strengthens the muscles in your knees and improves overall joint health.
• Warm-up: gentle stretching before exercise warms up your muscles and can lessen the risk of injury
• Proper technique: whether you’re running or jumping, using the proper technique reduces the risk of knee injury. Don’t start a new sport without some training or practice. ^{Footnote [4]}
• Listen to your body: don’t ignore discomfort or pain during physical activities. If you’re feeling persistent knee pain, speak with your doctor. 
• Try low-impact activities: if high impact activities cause you discomfort, consider changing to low impact exercise such as swimming, cycling, or walking.

If you have health insurance in place and develop knee pain, you may be able to get it looked at quickly and easily. 

The first step is to get a referral from your GP, or through our Digital GP app^. Then you can make a claim through MyAviva, over the phone, or online. 

If we’ve confirmed your claim meets the terms of your policy, we’ll pay for the treatment directly. Just be sure to tell us if you need more tests or treatment, or if your hospital or specialist changes. 

You'll also be given access to our knee treatment network, a group of treatment units specialising in managing specific conditions. Our knee treatment network is made up of selected hospitals throughout the UK which provide a full treatment pathway – from initial consultation and diagnosis through to treatment and recovery for selected knee conditions.

One less thing to worry about. It takes Aviva.

^ This service is non-contactual and can be withdrawn or amended by Aviva at any time.