--- title: "Knee pain: What It Means & When to See a GP | HealthAnswers" description: "Knee pain is often caused by overuse, sports injury or osteoarthritis. Learn the common causes, self-care that helps, and when locking or swelling needs…" url: https://healthanswers.co.uk/symptoms/knee-pain/ robots: noindex --- # Knee pain: What It Means & When to See a GP | HealthAnswers Symptoms Knee pain is often caused by overuse, sports injury or osteoarthritis. Learn the common causes, self-care that helps, and when locking or swelling needs a GP. Written by HealthAnswers editorial team Medically reviewed by [HealthAnswers UK doctor review panel](https://healthanswers.co.uk/our-doctors/) Reviewed 3 July 2026 ## Quick answer What could knee pain mean? Knee pain is a common symptom, often caused by overuse, sports injury or osteoarthritis. Most cases settle with rest, ice and exercises to strengthen the muscles around the knee. See a GP if the knee locks, gives way, stays swollen or you cannot bear weight. General UK health information, not a diagnosis. In an emergency call 999 ; for urgent advice use [NHS 111](https://111.nhs.uk/) (GP out-of-hours in Northern Ireland). On this page 4 sections ## Common causes of knee pain - Osteoarthritis is a common cause of knee pain in people over 50. - Meniscus (cartilage) tears often follow a twisting injury to the knee. - Patellofemoral pain, felt around the kneecap, commonly affects active people. - Gout can cause sudden, painful swelling of the knee. - A hot, red, swollen knee needs urgent same-day medical review. ## Understanding knee pain The knee is a hard-working joint that is prone to both injury and gradual wear. Most knee pain is caused by overuse, a sports injury or [osteoarthritis](https://healthanswers.co.uk/conditions/osteoarthritis/), and it often improves with simple self-care. Mechanical symptoms — such as the knee locking or giving way — usually need imaging to identify the cause. ## Common causes of knee pain Osteoarthritis, meniscus (cartilage) injury and patellofemoral pain are among the most common causes of knee pain. Osteoarthritis is common in people over 50, meniscus tears often follow a twisting injury, and patellofemoral pain — felt around the kneecap — mainly affects active people. [Gout](https://healthanswers.co.uk/conditions/gout/) and joint infection can both cause a knee to become suddenly swollen and painful. A knee that is hot, red and swollen needs urgent medical review. ## Self-care for knee pain Resting the knee and applying ice can ease pain in the early stages. Exercises that strengthen the quadriceps (the muscles at the front of the thigh) help to support the joint as it recovers. Maintaining a healthy weight also helps, because it reduces the load that the knee joint has to carry. ## When to see a GP about knee pain See a GP if your knee feels persistently unstable, or if swelling continues after an injury. Persistent pain, locking, or being unable to bear weight on the knee should also be assessed. A hot, swollen knee needs a same-day review, because this can be a sign of infection or gout. ## ! When to get medical help for knee pain See a GP if knee pain is persistent, if the knee locks, or if you cannot bear weight on it. Call **999** or go to A&E if the knee is obviously deformed after an injury. Call **111** for urgent advice when you are unsure what to do. ## Common questions about knee pain What is runner's knee? Runner's knee is pain around the kneecap that is often made worse by climbing stairs. Exercises that strengthen the hip and thigh muscles usually help it to improve. How do I know if my knee pain is arthritis? Knee pain that comes on gradually, with stiffness and pain that is worse after activity, suggests osteoarthritis. It is a common cause of knee pain, particularly in people over 50, and a GP can confirm the diagnosis. Should I exercise if I have knee pain? Yes, low-impact strengthening exercise usually helps knee pain rather than making it worse. A physiotherapist can guide your recovery and recommend suitable exercises. What is a locked knee? A locked knee is one where something inside the joint blocks its normal movement. It is often caused by a meniscus tear or a loose body in the joint, and it needs medical assessment. ## Sources - [NHS — Knee Pain](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/knee-pain) - [NHS — Arthritis](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/arthritis) ## How we reviewed this page Medically reviewed by the [HealthAnswers UK doctor review panel](https://healthanswers.co.uk/our-doctors/) First published 28 June 2026 Medically reviewed 3 July 2026 Next review due 3 July 2029 or sooner if NHS or NICE guidance changes Written by HealthAnswers editorial team. Published by HealthAnswers (Elite Digital AI Solutions Ltd). [How we review content](https://healthanswers.co.uk/about/how-we-review/) · [Report a problem with this page](mailto:corrections@healthanswers.co.uk?subject=Problem%20with%3A%20Knee%20pain&body=Page%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fhealthanswers.co.uk%2Fsymptoms%2Fknee-pain%2F%0A%0AWhat%20looks%20wrong%20or%20out%20of%20date%3A%0A)