Knee pain and joint complaints – identifying causes and treating them effectively

Whether climbing stairs, playing sports, or simply going about daily life – knee pain is limiting and unsettling. We individually assess the underlying cause of your discomfort and combine treatment with a sensible program to build up your resilience and load-bearing capacity.

Pain upon exertion and movement

Pain when climbing stairs, squatting, walking, or standing up after sitting for a long time – the knee makes itself felt precisely when under load. Muscular imbalances, improper loading of the leg axis, or overuse are often the underlying causes.

Swelling, stiffness, and instability

A swollen knee after exercise, morning stiffness, or the sensation that the knee is giving way – these symptoms may indicate issues with joint structures, ligaments, or cartilage and require precise assessment.

Pain after injury or surgery

Following a cruciate ligament tear, meniscus injury, or knee surgery, the rehabilitation process is crucial – timing it neither too early nor too late is key. How the load is gradually increased plays a decisive role in the long-term outcome.

Briefly explained

What might be behind knee pain

A trainer guides the leg of a client lying on the Gyrotonic machine.

You’ve come to the right place if...

The knee hurts or gives way under load

Climbing stairs, sports, squatting – and your knee no longer reliably cooperates.
We assess leg alignment, musculature, and movement patterns – and determine whether improper loading, weakness, or joint structures are the cause. The treatment plan is based on these findings.

The knee swells, is stiff, or feels unstable

Symptoms that occur after exercise or upon taking the first step in the morning – and for which you are seeking a clear assessment.
Swelling and stiffness can have many causes – ranging from overuse to structural changes in the joint. We conduct a precise assessment and determine whether a medical evaluation is advisable.

You want to rebuild strength after a knee injury or surgery

Structured, safe, and with a clear plan – back to everyday life and sports.
Rehabilitation following a cruciate ligament tear, meniscus surgery, or knee replacement requires a carefully paced recovery program. We support you from the early stages of rehabilitation through to achieving full weight-bearing capacity.

Why knee pain develops and persists

The knee is a complex joint – and rarely the sole source of the problem. The alignment of the leg, the hip, or foot positioning often plays a decisive role.

Close-up of a leg within the spring mechanism of a Gyrotonic machine.
Client exercising with a raised leg on Gyrotonic equipment in the studio.

Overview of common triggers

Malalignment of the leg axis

If the foot, knee, and hip do not work together optimally, the knee joint is subjected to sustained pressure exceeding what it can tolerate – often developing gradually and without a specific triggering event.

Muscular imbalances

Weak thigh or gluteal muscles cause the knee to become unstable. Excessive tension in the iliotibial band or calf muscles pulls on the joint capsule.

Overexertion in sports

Increasing volume or intensity too quickly – whether in running, cycling, or team sports – is one of the most common triggers for knee pain in the absence of an acute injury.

Injuries & structural damage

Cruciate ligament tears, meniscus injuries, cartilage damage – these injuries require a clear rehabilitation plan. How well the knee functions afterwards depends crucially on the rehabilitation process.

Osteoarthritis & degenerative changes

Cartilage changes with age – but osteoarthritis does not necessarily mean pain or limitations. Targeted exercise can significantly reduce symptoms.

Compensatory patterns following painful experiences

Anyone who has experienced knee pain moves differently – often unconsciously. These compensatory movement patterns place strain on other structures and prolong discomfort longer than necessary.

Physiotherapy & Manual Therapy

We view the knee, leg axis, and movement patterns as a single unit. Manual techniques, targeted mobilization, and myofascial treatment lay the foundation for pain reduction and improved movement.

Physiotherapy & active rehabilitation

Targeted strengthening of the thighs, glutes, and core – functional and adapted to everyday life. We increase the load gradually and safely.

Training & Prevention

Once the acute phase has been overcome, we transition to active conditioning – incorporating athletic training, coordination exercises, and movement routines for daily life and sports.

How we treat knee pain

A trainer assists a client with a balance exercise on a cushion.

Suitable services for knee pain

What you can do yourself

Knee pain rarely goes away through rest alone – but improper loading makes it worse. Moderate exercise that does not overstrain the knee is better than rest in most cases.

Swelling and warmth following physical exertion are signals from the body – indicating that the knee is currently being subjected to more strain than it can handle. Apply cooling measures in the short term, reduce the load, and monitor the situation. We will tailor the specific exercises and daily strategies to your individual needs based on the clinical findings.

Therapist in a counseling session with a client in front of a floral wall mural.

Did you know?

Health insurance subsidy available

Depending on the course format, certified prevention courses under Section 20 of the Social Code Book V (SGB V) may be eligible for subsidies from statutory health insurance funds. You can find details on our prevention courses page.

Workout space with a kettlebell, yoga mat, foam roller, and Buddha statue.

FAQ – Frequently asked questions about knee pain

Didn't find what you were looking for? We would be happy to assist you personally.

Muscle imbalances, malalignment of the leg axis, sports-related overuse, or structural changes such as meniscus or cartilage damage – an exact classification is provided in the clinical findings.

Medical evaluation is advisable in cases of severe swelling following an accident, joint instability or a sensation of the joint locking, pain that intensifies at night, or after a fall or twisting injury.

Yes. Targeted exercise and physiotherapy can significantly reduce symptoms associated with osteoarthritis – even without surgery. The key lies in properly building strength and mobility.

That depends on the type of surgery and your individual progress. We guide the rehabilitation process step by step – at a pace that suits your recovery.

Physiotherapy can be prescribed by a doctor. If you have private health insurance, wish to pay for treatment yourself, or hold supplementary insurance for naturopathic treatments in addition to your statutory health insurance, we will discuss the options that are right for you in a transparent manner.

Contact

We bill via private health insurance, state aid schemes (Beihilfe), or as a self-pay service. Physiotherapy is billed according to the GebüH fee schedule, and naturopathic services according to the GebüH HP schedule. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions regarding billing.

Contact

Contact & Appointment

If you would like to request an appointment, you've come to the right place. Simply fill out the form – we will get back to you. 

Monday to Friday:
8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
(Appointments by arrangement)

Phone +49 (0) 69 92038093
Email: info@praxis-laemmerhirt.de

A receptionist greets a client at the practice's reception desk.