Knee pain: physiotherapy that gets you moving again

Knee pain is one of the most common reasons people come to OT Nest — from runners and cricketers to grandparents who’ve started avoiding the stairs. The good news: most knee pain responds well to the right exercise, and surgery is needed far less often than people fear.

Common causes we treat

• Osteoarthritis — stiffness and aching that’s often worse in the morning or after sitting.
• Ligament sprains (ACL, MCL) from twisting, landing badly or contact sport.
• Meniscus problems — catching, clicking, or swelling after activity.
• Pain at the front of the knee (patellofemoral pain), common in runners, teenagers and anyone who squats or climbs a lot.
• Recovery after knee replacement or keyhole surgery.

How we treat it

• An assessment of the knee and the hip, ankle and the way you walk — the knee often takes the blame for problems elsewhere.
• Strengthening the thigh and hip muscles that protect the joint.
• Hands-on joint mobilisation and soft-tissue work, plus dry needling or taping where they help settle pain.
• Practical training for real life: stairs, getting up from the floor, sitting cross-legged, getting back to sport.

How long does it take?

Many people notice a real difference within two to four weeks of regular sessions and home exercise. Arthritis is managed rather than cured, but most patients get back to walking and climbing stairs comfortably. After a knee replacement, rehab usually continues for a few months.

Three exercises we often start with

1. Straight-leg raise — lying down, tighten the thigh and lift the straight leg a hand’s height, 10 times.
2. Sit-to-stand — stand up from a firm chair without using your hands, then sit back down slowly.
3. Heel slides — lying down, slide the heel towards you to bend the knee as far as is comfortable.

Stop if any of these sharply increases your pain, and get assessed before progressing.

Your first visit

1. Message or call us. Tell us what’s going on and whether you’d like the Patna clinic, the Gurgaon clinic or a home visit. We’ll find a time and tell you the fee upfront.
2. A proper assessment. Dr. Satish asks about your history, watches how you move, checks strength and range, and explains what’s actually going on — in plain language.
3. Treatment usually starts that day. Hands-on work, exercise or both, depending on what the assessment shows.
4. A plan you can follow. You leave with a few exercises for home, a realistic timeline and an idea of how many sessions to expect.

Bring along any scans, reports or discharge summaries, a list of your medicines, and clothes you can move in.

Fees depend on the treatment and on whether it’s at the clinic or at home. Ask on WhatsApp and we’ll tell you before you book — no surprises.