Knee Injuries and Joint Pain

Before your appointment

Knee and joint pain can come from many causes — injury, wear and tear, inflammation, or autoimmune conditions. Your GP will usually try to work out which category yours falls into before deciding who to refer you to. Orthopaedic surgeons deal mainly with structural and injury-related problems; rheumatologists deal with inflammatory and autoimmune joint conditions.

While waiting for your appointment, note which movements or activities make the pain worse, whether the joint swells, locks, or gives way, and whether the pain is worse at particular times of day. Morning stiffness lasting more than 30 minutes can be an important clue pointing toward an inflammatory cause.

If you have had any previous imaging (X-rays, MRI scans), bring the reports or request them from your GP surgery. If you have private insurance, most orthopaedic and rheumatology referrals are covered — check whether you need a GP referral letter and any excess that applies.

During your appointment

Your specialist will examine the affected joint, checking range of movement, stability, swelling, and tenderness. They will likely watch you walk and may test specific ligaments or structures depending on your symptoms.

X-rays are often the first imaging step, especially for suspected arthritis or fractures. An MRI scan gives much more detail about soft tissues like ligaments, cartilage, and menisci — this is often needed for sports injuries or if the diagnosis is not clear from examination alone. Blood tests may be ordered if an inflammatory or autoimmune condition is suspected (looking for markers like CRP, ESR, or rheumatoid factor).

For acute injuries, your specialist may discuss physiotherapy, bracing, injections (steroid or hyaluronic acid), or in some cases surgery (such as arthroscopy or ligament reconstruction). For chronic conditions, the focus is usually on managing symptoms and preserving function.

After your appointment

Physiotherapy is the cornerstone of almost all knee and joint conditions — whether you are recovering from an injury, managing arthritis, or preparing for surgery. On the NHS, you can self-refer to physiotherapy in many areas without needing to go through your GP. Take it seriously and do the exercises at home; they genuinely make the difference.

If surgery is recommended, ask about the expected recovery timeline and whether there are non-surgical alternatives worth trying first. For joint replacements, NHS outcomes are generally excellent, and the waiting time varies by area — your consultant's secretary can usually give you an estimate.

Versus Arthritis (formerly Arthritis Research UK) offers excellent patient information, and many areas have musculoskeletal (MSK) community services that provide faster access to physiotherapy and specialist assessment.

Questions to ask your orthopaedic surgeon