Knee Pain Physiotherapy in Tel Aviv

What causes knee pain?

Knee pain usually comes from imbalances in the structures supporting the joint. When cartilage, menisci, patellar alignment, or ligaments weaken through overuse, poor mechanics, or trauma, pain develops. Common culprits include cartilage wear (osteoarthritis), meniscus damage, patellar misalignment, weak glutes and hip stabilisers, and ligament strain.

Knee pain often stems from imbalances in the structures that support the joint. The knee relies on stable cartilage (articular surfaces), healthy menisci (shock absorbers), proper patellar alignment, and strong ligaments. When any of these systems weakens — through overuse, poor mechanics, or trauma — pain develops.

Common culprits include:

• Cartilage wear: osteoarthritis develops gradually as protective cartilage thins, causing joint stiffness and aching, especially after rest.
• Meniscus damage: torn menisci cause locking, catching, or instability sensations; can worsen if untreated.
• Patellar misalignment: if the kneecap doesn't track properly over the femur, the patellofemoral joint bears excess load — anterior knee pain.
• Muscle imbalance: weak glutes and hip stabilisers force the knee to compensate, triggering pain in the IT band, lateral knee, or medial structures.
• Ligament strain: sprains and post-surgical reconstruction (ACL, meniscus repair) require graded strengthening and proprioceptive retraining.

Which knee conditions can physiotherapy treat?

Physiotherapy treats several distinct knee conditions, each needing a tailored protocol: osteoarthritis (aching, morning stiffness), patellofemoral pain (anterior knee pain on stairs and squats), meniscus injury (locking and catching), IT band syndrome (lateral knee pain in runners), and post-surgical recovery such as ACL, meniscus, and knee-replacement rehabilitation.

Each knee condition has distinct treatment requirements. We tailor every protocol to your specific diagnosis and goals.

How does physiotherapy treat knee pain?

Physiotherapy treats knee pain through a systematic, progressive approach that restores function while reducing pain. It combines load management and biomechanics correction, VMO and glute strengthening to stabilise patellar tracking and hip motion, manual therapy to reduce stiffness, and proprioception and stability training to retrain neuromuscular control and lower re-injury risk.

Our approach is systematic and progressive, addressing pain while restoring function:

1. Load Management & Biomechanics

We identify movement patterns that aggravate your knee — such as inward knee collapse during squats or excessive hip internal rotation during running — and correct them through targeted coaching and exercise progression.

2. VMO & Glute Strengthening

The vastus medialis obliquus (VMO) stabilises patellar tracking, while glutes control hip and pelvis motion. Strengthening both prevents compensatory stress on the knee and is especially critical in patellofemoral and post-operative cases.

3. Manual Therapy

Joint mobilisation, soft tissue release, and scar tissue remodelling reduce stiffness and restore normal arthrokinematics, particularly in osteoarthritis and post-surgical rehabilitation.

4. Proprioception & Stability

Balance exercises and proprioceptive training (especially important after meniscus or ACL injury) retrain neuromuscular control and reduce re-injury risk.

Does physiotherapy actually work for knee pain?

Yes. For knee osteoarthritis, Juhl et al. (2014) reviewed 44 randomised trials and found combined aerobic and resistance exercise is the gold standard, with a number needed to treat of 4 for clinically significant pain relief. For patellofemoral pain, balanced hip and knee strengthening works best, and 40% of untreated cases become chronic.

What are the phases of knee rehabilitation?

Knee rehabilitation follows four structured phases. Phase 1 (weeks 1-3) covers assessment and pain control; Phase 2 (weeks 3-6) early strengthening of the VMO, glutes, and hip stabilisers; Phase 3 (weeks 6-12) functional strength and endurance; Phase 4 (weeks 12+) return to sport and maintenance. Timelines vary by diagnosis, severity, and compliance.

Knee rehabilitation follows a structured progression from pain control to full functional return. Timelines vary by diagnosis, severity, and compliance; we customise each phase to your needs.

When should I see a doctor before starting physiotherapy?

See a physician first if you have a locked or severely unstable knee that won't straighten, severe swelling within hours of injury, inability to bear weight or stand, signs of fracture such as deformity or severe point tenderness, or blood-clot symptoms like calf swelling, warmth, and pain. Physiotherapy is most effective after serious pathology is ruled out.