The knee
The knee is a hinge joint between the femur (thigh bone) and tibia (shin bone). The kneecap (patella) sits at the front of these bones. It also has cartilage, ligaments, and tendons.
The quadriceps are the muscles that straighten or extend the knee. The hamstrings are the muscles at the back of the thigh that bend the knee.
The gluteal muscles, also known as the "glutes”, are in the buttocks. These are also important in positioning the knee.
Exercises
- NHS Pilates video work out for knee pain
- NHS knee exercises for runners
- Versus Arthritis - Knee pain exercises
- The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy - Knee pain exercises
- University Hospitals of Derby and Burton - Hip and knee strengthening exercises
- University Hospitals of Derby and Burton - Knee Rehabilitation
Other Useful Information
- Versus Arthritis - Knee Pain
- The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy - Managing your knee pain
- MSK Decision Making Tool - Primary Care and Self Care - Knee
- MSK Decision Making Tool - Thinking about a Referral - Knee
- Keele University Pain Recorder App
- Versus Arthritis - Keep moving booklet
- Keele Univeristy Osteoarthritis Guidebook
ESCAPE-pain is a group rehabilitation programme for people with chronic joint pain that integrates educational self-management and coping strategies with an exercise regimen individualised for each participant.
It helps people understand their condition, teaches them simple things they can help themselves with, and takes them through a progressive exercise programme so they learn how to cope with pain better.
Designed to support people who have attended the face-to-face ESCAPE-pain programme to continue to exercise after the programme has ended.
This education programme has been designed by both NHS professionals and patients in DCHS NHS Trust, to help you manage your osteoarthritis knee pain & symptoms via a series of short videos and real patient stories.
Information is also provided regarding health, social and volunteer services available to help you.
Please click on the link below to access the programme:
Once completed, if you wish to revisit any of the individual videos please clink on the links below.
Am I fit enough for knee surgery?
You should seek medical advice if you have any of the following:
- If you have been involved in a significant trauma and are experiencing severe pain with a severe reduction of movement
- If after a few weeks your pain is no better with over-the-counter pain relief
- Pain at night that does not get better when you try to make yourself more comfortable
- You cannot put any weight through your knee for more than a few steps
- You have a very high temperature, feel hot and shivery, and have redness, heat and lots of swelling around the knee. This can be a sign of infection
- Your knee locks or gives way