Knee pain & osteoarthritisKnee pain holding you back? Get it checked.Knee pain is common, and many flare-ups settle within 6 weeks with the right exercises and advice. If yours is not improving, or you want to know what is causing it, we can examine your knee and agree a plan.Book a GP appointmentCall 07857 761328Can’t put any weight on your leg after an injury, or a hot, red knee with a high temperature? Phone NHS 24 on 111 now.Same & next-day appointmentsKnee examined by a GPSteroid injections if suitableYou keep your NHS GPKnee injection £1201Overview2Symptoms3Causes4Appointment5What helps6Exercises7Injections8Pricing9Get help10FAQs Medically reviewed by Dr Muhammad Roslan, MBChB, DGM, MRCGP · GP & Clinical Educator · GMC 7446695OUR GP Dundee · Last reviewed November 2026Seen by a GPKnee properly examinedClear exercise and pain planSteroid injections if suitableStart hereWhy knees hurt, and what to expectKnee pain is very common, particularly as we get older. Osteoarthritis is one of the most common causes, but injuries and other conditions can cause it too.In many cases, new pain or a flare-up of a long-standing problem begins to settle within 6 weeks. Keeping your knee moving is the most important part of getting better, even if it feels sore at first.In osteoarthritis, part of the cartilage in the joint thins and its surface becomes rougher, so the knee doesn’t move as smoothly as it should. There is no cure, but many people manage it well with exercise and the right support.Movement helpsStronger muscles around your knee ease pain and support the joint. Any activity is better than none.X-rays don’t tell the whole storySome people have big changes on an X-ray and mild symptoms. Others have severe symptoms and few changes.Weight makes a differenceIf you are overweight, any weight you lose is likely to help your knee.Most symptoms can be managedExercise, pain relief and sometimes an injection can help. Surgery is for when other treatments have not worked.Back to top ↑SymptomsWhat knee osteoarthritis can feel likeSymptoms vary from person to person, and you may have some or all of these.Pain that is worse when moving or doing activitiesStiffness, often in the morning or after restingSwelling in the jointWeakness in the thigh muscleThe knee feeling as if it gives way when you walkCreaking, grating or crunching as you moveYou may also feel pain nearby. A knee problem can cause aches in your hip, thigh or lower leg. This should improve as your knee gets better. Knee pain can also come from a problem in the hip or lower back.At OUR GPSteroid injection for knee painFor people with knee pain from arthritis that is limiting what they can do.A GP assessment and a steroid injection into the knee in one appointment. Both knees are £180.Good to know: injections ease pain for weeks to months but do not repair the joint, so exercises still matter.About joint injections →£120One joint, includes GP assessment Book nowBack to top ↑CausesWhat can cause knee painThe cause often becomes clear from what you tell us and from examining your knee.GroupExamplesOsteoarthritisPain and stiffness that build up over time, usually in people aged 45 or overInjuryMuscle strain, ligament or cartilage (meniscus) damage, tendon injury, a dislocated kneecap or a fracturePain at the front of the kneePatellofemoral pain, often worse on stairs or after sitting for a long timeSwelling around the jointBursitis, or a Baker’s cyst behind the kneeInflammatory arthritis and goutRheumatoid arthritis and other types of arthritis, or gout crystals in the jointInfectionA joint or bone infection, which is urgent and needs treatment straight awayChildren and teenagersGrowth spurts and Osgood-Schlatter disease. A child with a limp should always be checkedPain from elsewhereA problem in the hip or lower back. Rarely, a tumourWho is more at riskAnyone can get knee pain, but it is more likely if you:are getting olderare overweighthave a physical job, or one that strains your kneesplay sporthave injured your knee beforehave a family history of osteoarthritisBack to top ↑Your appointmentWhat the GP will doThe aim is to find the likely cause, rule out anything urgent and give you a plan you can follow.Listen to your storyWhen it started, any injury, what makes it better or worse, and whether it has swollen, locked or given way.Examine your kneeWe look at the joint, feel around it, and check how well it moves and how strong it is.Arrange tests only if neededOsteoarthritis can often be diagnosed without an X-ray if your symptoms are typical. We arrange tests when they would change what we do.Agree a planExercises, pain relief and, if suitable, a steroid injection. We can refer you for physiotherapy or to a specialist if your symptoms persist or the diagnosis is unclear.Back to top ↑What helpsWhat you can do for your kneeThese are the things that make the biggest difference day to day.Stay activeKeep up your daily life and work if you can. You don’t need to be pain-free before going back to work.In a flare-upFor the first 1 to 2 days, do less but keep moving. Rest with your leg raised, and move your knee gently every hour.Pace yourselfSpread activities through the day and adapt the ones that hurt. Avoid sitting in one position for long.On the stairsLead with your good leg going up and your sore leg coming down. Use a handrail.Footwear and walking aidsWear supportive shoes with cushioned soles and avoid high heels. Hold a walking stick on the opposite side to your sore knee.Heat or iceWrap it in a towel and use it for up to 20 minutes, a few hours apart. Don’t use it if you have poor circulation or reduced feeling.Pain reliefAn anti-inflammatory gel is usually the first medicine to try for knee osteoarthritis. Ask your pharmacist or GP what is suitable for you.A healthy weightIf you are overweight, any weight loss is likely to help, and losing more is likely to help more.Back to top ↑ExercisesSimple knee exercisesYou can do these at home with no special equipment. Start with one or two, and add more gradually. Your knee may feel a little more sore at first, and this should get easier.Knee bend: lying down, slide one foot towards you, then straightenThigh squeeze: tighten your thigh and push the back of your knee into the bedKnee over a roll: with a towel under your knee, straighten and lift your heelLying leg raise: bend one knee and lift the other straight leg just off the bedSeated leg raise: sit back, straighten one leg, raise it and slowly lower itSeated knee stretch: rest your foot on a chair and gently push your knee downSit to stand: stand up and sit down slowly, without your hands if you canStep ups: step onto the bottom stair and back down, holding the bannister if neededHow much pain is OK?Rate your pain out of 10 as you exercise, and aim to stay between 0 and 5.Pain scoreWhat it means0 to 3Minimal: carry on4 to 5Acceptable6 to 10Too much: do fewer, go slower or rest for longerYour muscles may ache briefly as they get used to new movements, and your pain should be no worse the next morning. Stop if the exercises make your symptoms worse or cause new pain. If you have had recent knee surgery or been given exercises, follow that advice first. Simple knee exercisesDownload our knee exercises leafletA free two-page guide with pictures of all eight exercises, how to build up, how much pain is OK and when to get help. Print it and keep it somewhere handy.PDF · 2 pages · A4 · 537 KBDownload leaflet (PDF)Open to printBack to top ↑Steroid injectionsCould a steroid injection help?A steroid injection puts an anti-inflammatory medicine straight into the knee joint. It can ease pain and swelling for a while, so you can move and exercise more easily, but it does not cure the cause.When it may helpWhen pain is holding you back from exercise and gels or tablets have not helped. It can also settle a swollen knee in inflammatory arthritis.How long it lastsIt usually takes a few days to start working. NICE says relief lasts 2 to 10 weeks. In our experience, it lasts 3 to 4 months. It helps some people a lot and others very little.How many you can haveMost people have no more than 3 a year in one knee, at least 3 months apart. Too many can damage the joint.AfterwardsRest your knee for 1 to 2 days and don’t overdo it for 2 weeks. Then start your exercises gently and build up slowly.Tell us first if you have, or takeany infection, antibiotics, or sore skin on the kneea recent knee injuryblood thinners or a bleeding problem (don’t stop a blood thinner unless your doctor tells you to)diabetes, as your blood sugar can rise for a few daysa weakened immune system, or any allergiespregnancy or breastfeeding, a recent or upcoming vaccine, or knee surgery plannedSide effects: most people have none. Your knee may be more sore for a day or two. Skin changes where the needle went in, a flushed face, short-term changes to mood or periods, and bleeding into the joint can happen. Joint infection is very rare but serious, so contact us the same day if your knee becomes hotter, redder or more painful, or you feel unwell.Knee steroid injection pricesTreatmentPriceSteroid injection, one knee£120Steroid injections, both knees£180Prices include the GP assessment, the steroid and the injection. No referral is needed. The GP will check that an injection is right and safe for you before going ahead. Read more on our joint injections page.Book a GP appointmentCall 07857 761328 Steroid injections for the kneeDownload our knee steroid injection leafletA free two-page guide: what to expect, what happens on the day, aftercare, side effects and when to get help.PDF · 2 pages · A4 · 222 KBDownload leaflet (PDF)Open to printBack to top ↑Get help nowWhen it can’t waitCall 999 ifyour leg is badly injured and your foot is cold, pale or numb · you are seriously unwell · after an injection, your lips, mouth or throat swell, you are struggling to breathe, or you collapsePhone NHS 24 on 111 ifyou have had a bad fall or direct blow to the knee in the last 7 days · your knee looks misshapen after a new injury · you can’t put any weight through your leg · your knee swells straight away after a twist · you have a very high temperature, feel hot and shivery, and your knee is red or hot, as this can be a sign of infectionContact a GP ifyour knee locks or gives way · your knee is hot, swollen or tender, especially if you can’t recall an injury · your pain is getting worse · your knee is no better after 6 weeksA private appointment is not a substitute for emergency care. If you are unsure, call NHS 24 on 111.Back to top ↑FAQsCommon questions Do I need an X-ray for knee pain?Not always. If you are 45 or over, have pain with activity, and have no morning stiffness or stiffness lasting no more than 30 minutes, osteoarthritis can usually be diagnosed without one. We may arrange a scan if your symptoms are unusual or something else could be the cause. Is it safe to exercise with a painful knee?Yes, for most people. Exercise may cause some discomfort at first, but it helps in the long term. Aim to keep your pain at 5 out of 10 or lower, and stop if an exercise makes your symptoms worse or causes new pain. How long does knee pain take to get better?Many new knee problems and flare-ups begin to settle within 6 weeks. If yours has not improved by then, or is getting worse, speak to a healthcare professional. How long does a knee steroid injection last?It usually takes a few days to start working. NICE says relief lasts 2 to 10 weeks. In our experience, it lasts 3 to 4 months. It varies a lot: some people get a big improvement, and others notice very little. Should I have a steroid injection before a knee replacement?Tell us if you are waiting for knee surgery. Research suggests that a steroid injection in the 3 months before a knee replacement may raise the risk of infection, so the timing matters. What about hyaluronic acid (gel) injections?NICE recommends that these are not offered to manage osteoarthritis. Will I need a knee replacement?Most people don’t need surgery straight away, and it is usually considered when other treatments have been tried. If you are waiting for surgery, keeping your knee moving helps your recovery.Worried right now?If you have a hot, red knee with a high temperature, or you can’t put weight on your leg after an injury, phone NHS 24 on 111.Back to top ↑EvidenceWhere this information comes fromThis page follows UK guidance and Scottish patient information on knee pain and osteoarthritis.NICE CKS: Knee pain – assessmentNICE NG226: Osteoarthritis in over 16s: diagnosis and managementBMJ Best Practice: Knee injections, patient informationNHS inform: Osteoarthritis of the kneeNHS inform: Knee problemsArthritis UK: Exercises for the kneesArthritis UK: Steroid injectionsPreoperative steroid injections and infection after knee replacement: systematic review and meta-analysisBack to top ↑Knee pain not getting better?Book a GP appointment and we will examine your knee and agree a plan with you.Book a GP appointmentWhatsApp 07857 761328This page is general information and is not medical advice or a diagnosis. What’s appropriate is a clinical decision made with a GP at your appointment. OUR GP is a trading name of SRS Health Group Limited, regulated by Healthcare Improvement Scotland. All doctors hold a licence to practise with the General Medical Council. Meet our team. We see patients from Dundee, Angus, Perthshire and Fife. More questions? See our FAQs.