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Symptom guide

Knee pain

Sudden knee pain is often caused by overusing the knee or injuring it. Find out what you can do to treat it yourself and when to get medical help.

About this information

This NHS content is written for people in England. Services, contact routes and treatment arrangements may differ in other countries.

How to ease knee pain and swelling

If you have knee pain, try these things at first:

  • put as little weight as possible on your knee – for example, avoid standing for a long time
  • use an ice pack or bag of frozen peas wrapped in a tea towel on your knee for up to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours
  • use painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen gel or tablets

See a GP if:

  • knee pain does not improve within a few weeks
Information:

Refer yourself for back or joint help

In many areas you may be able to get help, such as physiotherapy, from NHS community musculoskeletal (MSK) services without needing a referral from a GP.

Get NHS help for back or joint problems

Get advice from 111 now if:

  • your knee is very painful
  • you cannot move your knee or put any weight on it
  • your knee is badly swollen or has changed shape
  • your knee locks, gives way or painfully clicks – painless clicking is normal
  • you have a very high temperature (or feel hot, cold or shivery) and have redness or heat around your knee – this can be a sign of infection

111 will tell you what to do. They can tell you the right place to get help if you need to see someone.

Get help from NHS 111 online or call 111 .

Other ways to get urgent help

You can also go to an urgent treatment centre if you need to see someone now.

They're also called walk-in centres or minor injuries units.

You may be seen quicker than you would at A&E.

Treatments for knee pain

A doctor can suggest treatment based on what's causing your knee pain.

They might:

  • prescribe medicine or physiotherapy
  • refer you to hospital for a scan or specialist treatment (for example, surgery)

Common causes of knee pain

Knee pain can be a symptom of many different conditions.

This information might give you an idea of what the cause might be. But do not self-diagnose – see a GP if you're worried.

Knee pain

Causes

Knee pain

Self-care

Knee pain

Medical treatments

There are many possible causes of knee pain, including a sprain or strain, tendonitis, cartilage damage, arthritis and gout.

To ease knee pain and swelling, avoid putting weight on your knee, use an ice pack for up to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours, and take painkillers.

A GP can look for causes of your knee pain and recommend treatments like physiotherapy. Sometimes they may refer you to a specialist.

Content supplied by the NHS website

Content supplied by the NHS website, refreshed 19 August 2026. View the original NHS article ↗

Licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 ↗. MyPHU is independent and is not endorsed by the NHS.