Knee pain:
Physical therapy for knee pain
If stairs, kneeling or a long walk have started to hurt, you're in the right place. We find what's driving your knee pain and build a plan to get you moving comfortably again, one-on-one with a licensed physical therapist.
Serving Lake Wales · Haines City · Winter Haven
What's actually going on: Knee pain: the short version
Your knee takes your body weight with every step, stair and squat. The muscles around it, mainly in your thigh and hip, absorb that load and help the knee track smoothly. When those muscles are weak or tired, or the joint itself is irritated, everyday tasks such as stairs, getting up from a chair or kneeling start to hurt.
Common causes include knee arthritis, pain around or behind the kneecap that builds with running, stairs or squatting (often called runner's knee), patellar tendon pain (jumper's knee), ligament sprains such as an MCL sprain, meniscus tears, and stiffness after an injury or knee surgery.
Knee pain has many causes, and each one is treated differently. That's why your therapist works out what's driving yours, and why, before choosing a single exercise. A plan for an arthritic knee looks very different from a plan for a runner's knee.
When knee pain needs to be checked first
Most knee pain is safe to assess with a physical therapist, but a few signs need a doctor first. If any of these apply, see a doctor or go to urgent care before you book physical therapy.
You can't put weight on the leg after a fall, twist or blow to the knee.
The knee looks deformed, or it swelled up quickly right after an injury.
A hot, red, swollen knee with a fever, which can be a sign of infection.
Calf pain, swelling or warmth, especially after surgery or a long trip, which can be a sign of a blood clot. Call 911 if you also feel short of breath or have chest pain.
If none of these apply, physical therapy is a safe and reasonable place to start.
How we help: How physical therapy treats knee pain
Physical therapy for knee pain starts with an evaluation: how far your knee bends and straightens, how strong your thigh and hip muscles are, and how you walk, squat, climb stairs and balance. Your therapist also asks what your knee stops you from doing, so the plan is built around your goals.
Treatment is mostly active: strengthening for the thigh and hip muscles, exercises to restore how far the knee bends and straightens, and balance and walking work. Hands-on care, such as joint mobilization and soft tissue work, can ease stiffness and pain so the exercises go further.
For mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons strongly recommends exercise, supervised or on your own, to improve pain and function. After a knee replacement, the American Physical Therapy Association's guideline recommends starting physical therapy soon after surgery and building up to challenging strength training early, with a therapist supervising.
"Should I rest my knee until it stops hurting?"
A few easier days after a flare-up can help, but long rest lets the muscles that support your knee get weaker, which can make stairs and walking harder. Your therapist starts with movements you can manage and builds from there, so you're never guessing how much is too much.
"Isn't knee pain just part of getting older?"
Knee arthritis is common as we get older, but common doesn't mean you have to plan your day around it. Exercise is one of the first treatments major guidelines recommend for knee arthritis, and it's low risk.
One-on-one care: Hands-on time with a licensed therapist
Every session for your knee is one-on-one with a licensed physical therapist, who adjusts your exercises as your knee responds, so the plan keeps pace with you.
What to expect: How long does it take to feel better?
It depends on the cause and how long you've had it. A recent sprain or a flare-up of tendon pain often settles sooner than arthritis or stiffness after surgery, which usually take weeks of regular exercise. Results differ from person to person, and your therapist will tell you what's realistic for you after your evaluation.
Your first visit is a conversation about when your knee hurts, what makes it better or worse and what you want to get back to, then testing. It usually takes about 45 to 60 minutes. Here's what your first visit involves →
Early on, the focus is calming pain and swelling and getting your knee to bend and straighten more easily.
As you progress, strength, balance and step work helps with stairs, low chairs, longer walks and, if it's your goal, a planned return to sport.
Before you come in, wear shorts or loose pants that roll above the knee, and bring any imaging or reports you have.
Getting started: You can start without a referral
In Florida, you don't need a physician's referral to begin physical therapy for knee pain; you can come straight to us. Your insurance may have its own requirements, which is a separate question from state law, so it's worth checking both before your first visit.
Related care: Where to go next
Care people trust: Physical therapy Polk County has trusted since 2013
Independent, veteran- and physical-therapist-owned, with orthopedic, sports and post-surgical physical therapy at all three Polk County clinics.
8,000+
patients treated since founding in 2013
200+
Google reviews across our three clinics
4.9–5.0★
average rating, Lake Wales · Haines City · Winter Haven
I was in PT for 2 weeks, starting 4 weeks after knee surgery. I came in very stiff in the knee with limited movement. The staff worked with me to increase my range of movement. I feel very comfortable walking without a cane or assistance now. The staff is very knowledgeable and friendly. I would use this service again if needed.
Kenneth Sandy
Haines City patient
Common questions about knee pain
Can physical therapy help knee pain without surgery?
Often, yes. For mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons strongly recommends exercise, supervised or on your own, to improve pain and function. Your therapist will tell you if anything in your evaluation needs a doctor's opinion first.
Do I need a referral for knee pain treatment?
No. In Florida you can start physical therapy without a physician's referral. If you need treatment beyond 30 days for a knee problem no doctor has assessed, a doctor must review and sign your plan of care.
Do you treat knees after a knee replacement or ACL surgery?
Yes. Post-surgical rehab at Core Rehabilitation covers total and partial knee replacement, ACL reconstruction, meniscus repair and knee arthroscopy, and follows your surgeon's protocol.
What should I wear to a knee appointment?
Shorts or loose pants that roll above the knee, so your therapist can see and test the joint, plus comfortable shoes you can walk in.
Is knee pain treatment available at every clinic?
Yes. Orthopedic, sports and post-surgical physical therapy are offered at all three clinics: Lake Wales, Haines City and Winter Haven.
Request an appointment
Tell us a little about you and your preferred location, and our team will reach out to schedule your visit. Prefer to talk? Call the clinic nearest you.
Lake Wales · 863-678-0705
Haines City · 863-421-2000
Winter Haven · 863-268-6523