Knee pain is a symptom with many possible causes, from a short-lived overload or sprain to arthritis, tendon problems, meniscus injury, infection or pain referred from elsewhere. The location and pattern of pain, how it began, swelling, instability and effect on function are more useful than age or an isolated scan finding.
WHICH DOCTOR SHOULD I SEE?
See a orthopaedic doctor for knee pain
At Lotus Hospital in HSR Layout, knee pain is assessed by the Orthopaedics team. For severe or sudden symptoms, go to the nearest emergency department or call 112.
Orthopaedics
Dr. Sridhar Reddy
Also listed as Dr. Shridhar Reddy
- Qualifications
- MBBS, MS (Ortho), FIAS
- Experience
- 19 years
- Fee
- ₹700
- Languages
- English
- Registration
- KMC 70540
★ 97% (2674 votes) on Practo
Joint pain · Back and neck pain · Sports and activity-related injuries · Musculoskeletal injuries
Orthopaedics
Dr. Srinivas Reddy G.
Also listed as Dr. Srinivas Reddy
- Qualifications
- D.Ortho, DNB (Ortho)
- Experience
- 21 years
- Fee
- ₹700
- Languages
- English
- Registration
- KMC 55782
Trauma and fractures · Joint replacement (arthroplasty) · Arthroscopic surgery · Sports injuries and sports medicine
Orthopaedics
Dr. K. N. Srinivas
- Qualifications
- MBBS, MS (Ortho), D.Ortho
- Experience
- 38 years
- Fee
- ₹700
- Languages
- English
- Registration
- KMC 23471
Joint replacement · Knee pain and osteoarthritis · Hip pain and arthritis · Back pain
Patterns worth describing
Pain after a twist or impact raises different questions from discomfort that developed gradually. Front-of-knee pain may relate to kneecap loading; pain at the joint line can occur with meniscus or arthritis problems; pain below the kneecap can involve the tendon. These patterns guide assessment but do not establish a diagnosis by themselves.
Note whether the knee swells immediately or later, locks, gives way, becomes stiff after rest, or hurts on stairs, squatting, running or at night.
- Sudden injury or gradual onset
- Exact pain location
- Swelling and timing
- Locking or giving way
- Walking, stairs and squat tolerance
- Night pain or systemic symptoms
When knee pain needs urgent assessment
Seek urgent care after major trauma when the knee looks deformed, cannot bear weight, has rapidly increased swelling or has numbness or poor circulation below the injury. A hot, very painful swollen joint with fever can indicate infection.
Calf swelling with chest pain or breathlessness may indicate a clot and is an emergency. Do not wait for a routine orthopaedic appointment in these situations.
- Visible deformity
- Inability to bear weight after trauma
- A hot swollen joint with fever
- New numbness or a cold foot
- Severe calf swelling
- Chest pain or breathlessness
Assessment and imaging
The clinician asks about injury mechanism, activity, earlier episodes, other joints and medical conditions. Examination considers walking, alignment, swelling, tenderness, movement, stability, strength and hip or back contribution.
X-rays help with fracture and arthritis; MRI may be useful for selected soft-tissue injuries or when surgery is being considered. Imaging is not automatically required for uncomplicated pain and should be interpreted alongside symptoms.
- History and functional assessment
- Joint and soft-tissue examination
- Hip and neurological screen when relevant
- X-ray for selected bone questions
- MRI for defined soft-tissue questions
- Blood tests when inflammation or infection is suspected
Treatment and recovery
Treatment may include education, relative activity modification, progressive exercise, physiotherapy and selected pain relief. The aim is to restore useful load tolerance rather than avoid movement indefinitely.
Injections or surgery are reserved for defined indications after benefits, limitations and alternatives are discussed. Knee replacement addresses advanced joint disease; arthroscopy addresses selected structural problems and is not routine for all degenerative pain.
- Manage aggravating load
- Restore movement
- Strengthen hip and knee
- Address balance and confidence
- Review response at an agreed time
- Escalate when function remains unacceptable
Medical information is general and does not replace an individual consultation.
PATIENT QUESTIONS
Knee Pain: questions patients ask
What are the common causes of knee pain?
Common causes include osteoarthritis, ligament and meniscus injuries, pain around the kneecap from overuse, tendon problems, bursitis and, less often, gout or inflammatory arthritis. Age, activity level, how the pain started and whether there is swelling or locking help a doctor narrow down the cause.
When should I see a doctor for knee pain?
See a doctor if knee pain lasts more than a few weeks, keeps returning, limits walking or stairs, disturbs sleep, or follows an injury with swelling, locking or the knee giving way. Earlier assessment helps if you have had previous knee surgery or a known joint condition.
How is knee pain diagnosed?
An orthopaedic doctor asks about your symptoms and examines the knee for swelling, movement, stability and tenderness. An X-ray is often used to assess arthritis, while an MRI may be recommended for suspected ligament or meniscus injuries. Blood tests or joint fluid tests are used when infection or inflammatory arthritis is suspected.
How is knee pain treated?
Treatment depends on the cause and may include activity changes, physiotherapy and strengthening exercises, weight management, pain-relieving medicines, bracing and, in selected cases, injections. Surgery such as arthroscopy or knee replacement is considered only when appropriate and when non-surgical care has not provided enough relief.
When is knee pain an emergency?
Seek emergency care for a knee that is hot, red and swollen with fever, a visible deformity after injury, inability to bear weight, a calf that is swollen and painful, or numbness or coldness below the knee. Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Which doctor should I see for knee pain at Lotus?
Start with an orthopaedic doctor, who can diagnose the cause and coordinate physiotherapy or further treatment. Book online with an orthopaedic doctor listed on the Orthopaedics page, send a WhatsApp message, or call the care team on +91 80505 98999. Bring any previous X-rays or MRI reports.
LOCATION & DIRECTIONS
Getting to Lotus Hospital, HSR Layout
Lotus Multi Speciality Hospital
2361, 24th Main Road, 1st Sector, HSR Layout, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560102
Near Bangalore One, HSR Layout 1st Sector
Open 24 hours, 7 days · OPD timings vary by doctor
Lotus is on 24th Main Road in Sector 1, near Bangalore One. Autos and cabs can drop at the entrance on 24th Main.
Head into HSR Sector 1 from the Agara Lake side of the Outer Ring Road and continue to 24th Main Road.
Take the Sarjapur Road or 27th Main HSR approach towards Sector 1, then turn onto 24th Main Road.
Travel along the Outer Ring Road towards Agara, enter HSR Layout Sector 1 and continue to 24th Main Road.
Use the Outer Ring Road from Silk Board towards HSR Layout and turn into Sector 1.
Cross from Hosur Road into HSR Layout through the Sector 7 side and continue north to Sector 1.
Come towards Agara and the Outer Ring Road junction, then into HSR Layout Sector 1.
Take Hosur Road to Silk Board, then the Outer Ring Road into HSR Layout. Best for planned visits.
Travel time changes with traffic. Check live directions before you leave and allow time for registration.