Knee pain doesn't mean you stop squatting or running. Our fellowship-trained Doctors of PT diagnose the root cause — patellofemoral pain, osteoarthritis, or meniscus tear — and build a plan to get you back to full activity.
Common Diagnoses
Knee pain isn't just one thing. Click each section below to learn about the three most common causes we see in lifters and runners — and what to do about each one.
Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is anterior knee pain caused by irritation of the cartilage under the kneecap (patella). It's the most common cause of knee pain in runners and athletes who perform repetitive knee bending activities like squatting, lunging, or stair climbing.
PFPS occurs when the patella tracks poorly or when knee load exceeds tissue capacity. Common contributing factors include:
We identify the root cause — weak hips, poor quad strength, or faulty mechanics — and build a progressive loading program to fix it. Hip and quad strengthening combined with movement retraining resolves most cases. Athletes can usually stay training with modifications (reducing squat depth, managing volume).
Knee osteoarthritis is degenerative wear of the cartilage in the knee joint, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion. It typically affects adults over 50 and is more common in people with a history of knee injuries (ACL tear, meniscus tear) or high-impact sports.
Knee osteoarthritis develops when cartilage in the knee joint wears down over time. Contributing factors include:
While arthritis is degenerative, symptoms can be managed effectively with conservative care. We use quad and hip strengthening, joint mobilization, and activity modification to reduce pain and improve function. Low-impact cross-training (cycling, swimming) can maintain fitness while offloading the joint. Surgery (knee replacement) is reserved for severe cases.
A meniscus tear is damage to the C-shaped cartilage (meniscus) that cushions and stabilizes the knee joint. Tears can occur from acute trauma (twisting injury) or degenerative wear over time. The meniscus has limited blood supply, so healing depends on the location and severity of the tear.
Meniscus tears occur from acute trauma or degenerative changes. Common causes include:
Many meniscus tears heal with conservative care, especially degenerative tears. We use progressive strengthening (quads, hamstrings, glutes) and movement retraining to offload the meniscus and restore function. Surgery to remove or repair the torn portion of the meniscus is reserved for cases that cause the knee to lock up or don't improve with physical therapy. Research shows PT is as effective as surgery for most degenerative tears.
Evidence-Based Resources
Knee pain doesn't mean you stop squatting. A Doctor of PT breaks down the root causes and gives you 3 evidence-backed exercises to keep training.
Patellofemoral pain is one of the most common running injuries. Here's how to manage symptoms and continue training intelligently.
Book a free 15-minute phone call with a Doctor of PT. We'll figure out what's going on and build a plan to get you back to training.