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Chronic knee pain treatment Finding the cause and building a plan that lasts
Chronic knee pain treatment starts with finding the cause, most often osteoarthritis, a tendon problem, an old meniscus or ligament injury, or pain at the front of the kneecap. Most plans combine strengthening exercise and physical therapy, activity and weight changes, and pain relief that is safe for you. When pain still limits you, a physician may add a joint injection, such as an ultrasound-guided gel or steroid injection, or a genicular nerve procedure.
Knee pain that lasts longer than about three months is called chronic. It rarely gets better with rest alone, and the right chronic knee pain treatment depends on what is actually causing it. Here is how our clinicians think about it, and what you can start doing now. For a full list of knee problems we treat, see our knee pain treatment page.
Common causes of chronic knee pain
- Osteoarthritis: wear of the joint cartilage, often with morning stiffness and pain after activity
- Patellofemoral pain: pain around or behind the kneecap, worse on stairs, squats or after sitting
- Tendon pain: such as patellar tendon pain below the kneecap, common in jumpers and runners
- Old injuries: a meniscus tear or ligament sprain that never fully recovered
- Inflammatory arthritis or gout, which needs medical care
Chronic knee pain treatment that helps long term
Exercise and physical therapy
Strengthening the quadriceps, hamstrings, hips and calves is the base of almost every plan. A physical therapist also works on balance, walking and how you squat and climb stairs. Hands-on manual therapy and kinesiology taping can ease pain while you build strength.
Pacing, weight and footwear
Keep moving, but spread hard activity through the week and avoid long flare-ups. Lowering extra body weight reduces load on the knee. Supportive shoes and, for some, a brace help on long walking days.
Shockwave for stubborn tendon pain
For tendon pain such as jumper’s knee that has not settled with exercise, focused shockwave therapy is an option at our Brooklyn office, performed by a nurse practitioner and physician.
Ultrasound-guided gel injections
The first video above shows a gel injection, also called a hyaluronic acid injection or viscosupplementation, for knee osteoarthritis. Hyaluronic acid is a natural part of joint fluid, and adding it to an arthritic knee can ease pain and stiffness for some people for a period of time. It does not rebuild cartilage, and results vary. As the video explains, the gel only helps if it is placed inside the joint, so our clinicians use ultrasound to see the joint and guide the needle. Read our guide to knee gel injections and more about joint injections.
Steroid injections and nerve treatments
When pain still limits you, a physician may suggest a corticosteroid injection, or draining fluid from a swollen knee. For long-standing arthritis pain, a genicular nerve block and radiofrequency ablation can quiet the nerves that carry pain from the knee; the last video shows how the probes are placed next to those nerves. These treat pain; the exercise plan protects the knee.
Not ready to think about surgery? Read our guide to relieving knee pain and swelling, and see how the AlterG anti-gravity treadmill lets you train with less load.
What you can do at home
- Do your strengthening exercises most days, even when the knee feels good
- Use ice or heat, whichever feels better, for 10 to 15 minutes after activity
- Break up long periods of sitting
- Keep a simple log of what flares the pain and what eases it, and bring it to your visit
When to see a knee pain doctor
Book an evaluation if pain has lasted more than a few weeks, wakes you at night, or keeps you from walking, stairs or exercise. Get seen the same day if the knee is hot, red and swollen or you have a fever, or if you cannot put weight on the leg.
More videos: injections and nerve treatments for chronic knee pain
More clips from our YouTube channel @precisioncaremedical about injections and nerve treatments for long-lasting knee pain.
Related care at Precision Care
Chronic knee pain treatment near you
Looking for chronic knee pain treatment near you? Physical therapy is offered at our Brooklyn office, serving patients from Brighton Beach, Sheepshead Bay and Bensonhurst, with physical therapists Zoya Reznik, DPT, OCS and Maggie (Yi) Zhang, DPT, with physical therapist assistants Dennis Furman, PTA and Leila Nahmoud, PTA, and at our Staten Island office, serving patients from Todt Hill, Great Kills and Eltingville, with physical therapists Victoria Lynn Kain, DPT and Nicholas “Nick” Ursini, DPT. Physical therapy is not offered at the Midtown Manhattan office.
For knee pain treatment in Brooklyn, on Staten Island or in Midtown Manhattan, our pain management physicians are Ashley Marcus, MD in Brooklyn, Jake Stephen, DO on Staten Island, and Yuri Gordin, MD at the Precision Care Spine & Pain Center in Midtown Manhattan, serving patients from Spanish Harlem, Harlem and Washington Heights. The physician at each office evaluates your knee and treats it or refers you on. Injections and procedures are planned by a physician after an exam; call to confirm which office offers the procedure you need. Request an appointment or call the office closest to you.
150 E 55th St, Suite 401, New York, NY 10022
(212) 840-0135
Questions patients ask
What is the best treatment for chronic knee pain?
It depends on the cause. Most plans combine strengthening exercise and physical therapy, activity and weight changes, and safe pain relief. Injections, such as gel (hyaluronic acid) or steroid injections, or genicular nerve treatments may be added when pain still limits you.
What causes chronic knee pain?
Common causes include osteoarthritis, pain around the kneecap, tendon problems, old meniscus or ligament injuries, and inflammatory arthritis or gout.
Can chronic knee pain be treated without surgery?
Often, yes. Many people improve with exercise, physical therapy and targeted treatment. Surgery is considered when pain and function do not improve or there is a structural problem that needs repair.
Should I rest a knee with chronic pain?
Short breaks from activities that flare it can help, but long rest usually weakens the muscles that protect the knee. Gentle, regular movement and strengthening are usually better.
When should I see a doctor for knee pain that will not go away?
See a doctor if pain lasts more than a few weeks, wakes you at night or limits walking or stairs. Seek same-day care for a hot, red, swollen knee, a fever, or if you cannot bear weight.
Is there a knee pain doctor near me for chronic knee pain?
Precision Care offers chronic knee pain treatment in Brooklyn at 2781 Shell Rd, Suite 101, (718) 648-1234, for knee pain on Staten Island at 1630 Richmond Rd, Suite 101, (718) 339-7100, and at the Precision Care Spine & Pain Center, 150 E 55th St, Suite 401, in Midtown Manhattan. Physical therapy is offered in Brooklyn and Staten Island.
Educational only, not medical advice. These videos and this article explain common problems and treatments in general terms. They are not a diagnosis or a treatment plan for you. Results vary from person to person. See a qualified clinician about your own symptoms, and call 911 or go to an emergency room for an emergency.
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