Knee PainAdelaide
Most knee pain is mechanical, not a disaster. The knee you feel the pain in is not always the joint driving it. Research suggests the hip, lumbar spine, and ankle often contribute to knee pain through the kinetic chain, and are worth assessing alongside the knee itself. $69 initial consultation with Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor). No referral needed.
Does this sound familiar?
Common knee pain patterns we hear. Tap a card for a plain-English explanation.
"My knees ache in the morning and after a long drive, and stairs are the worst part of my day."
"Pain at the front of my knee when I run, squat, or sit for too long at a desk."
"Sharp pain on the outside of my knee that started a few weeks into increasing my running."
"My knee twisted at footy, and it is swollen and feels like it wants to give way."
What Knee Pain Looks Like
Knee pain covers a cluster of mechanical patterns at the front, side, or back of the knee. The joint you feel is not always the joint driving the pain. The job of assessment is to sort out which pattern fits and whether the hip, lumbar spine, or ankle is contributing.
Typical features we hear about include:
- Location ranging from the front of the knee (around the kneecap), the inside of the knee, the outside of the knee, behind the knee, or a deep ache that is hard to point to.
- Aggravators including stairs (especially downhill), squatting, long sitting, kneeling, running or walking longer distances, and twisting or pivoting movements.
- Easing often with gentle movement, warm showers, offloading, elevation, and brief rest (not prolonged bed rest).
- Stiffness often first thing in the morning or after sitting; knee osteoarthritis stiffness typically eases inside 30 minutes with movement.
- Swelling may appear after loading or after a twist; persistent hot swelling deserves medical review.
- Giving-way or clicking may reflect soft-tissue guarding, mechanical block, or instability that warrants careful assessment.
Sorting Out Which Pattern Fits: Knee Map
Knee pain is an umbrella. The more specific patterns below each behave differently and respond to different emphasis in care. A proper assessment confirms which pattern (or combination of patterns) fits your presentation.
| Pattern | Typical Location | Typical Aggravators | Typical Age or Setting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knee osteoarthritis | Deep ache, often medial or diffuse | Stairs (down), prolonged standing, cold mornings | Generally 45+, often gradual onset |
| Patellofemoral pain (runner's knee) | Front of knee, around or behind kneecap | Stairs, squats, prolonged sitting, running | Active adults, runners, desk workers |
| Iliotibial band syndrome | Outside of knee | Running (especially downhill), sudden volume ramp | Runners, cyclists, hikers |
| Patellar tendinopathy (jumper's knee) | Just below the kneecap, on the tendon | Jumping, squats, running starts, decelerating | Active loaders, basketball, volleyball, gym |
| Meniscal-related pain | Medial or lateral joint line | Twisting, deep squat, kneeling | All ages; acute twist or age-related (40+) degenerative |
| Pes anserine bursitis / tendinopathy | Medial knee, 5 cm below joint line | Stairs, overground running, side-lying sleep | Female athletes, OA overlap, overuse |
| Referred from hip or lumbar | Diffuse knee ache, often anterior or medial | Activities that load the hip or low back | Adults with hip OA, lumbar-driven referral |
Assessment may find one pattern dominant, or a mix of contributors. Care is tailored to what the examination finds, not to the label alone.
How We Assess Knee Pain
A structured examination looks at the knee, hip, lumbar spine, and ankle together. The goal is to identify the dominant contributor, screen for red flags, and decide whether imaging or a GP or surgical opinion would add useful information.
A typical assessment includes:
- History screen covering onset (gradual or sudden), mechanism (twist, overuse, trauma), aggravators, swelling pattern, giving-way, locking, and any red-flag features.
- Knee range and loading testing in flexion, extension, single-leg squat, step-down, and pain provocation with targeted manoeuvres.
- Special tests such as Lachman, anterior drawer, McMurray, pivot-shift, and valgus or varus stress, used to screen for ligament or meniscal involvement.
- Hip strength and mobility screen, as research suggests hip abductor weakness and hip internal rotation changes may contribute to knee pain, particularly patellofemoral pain.
- Lumbar and ankle screen covering segmental mobility, neural tension, and foot mechanics, to identify kinetic-chain contributors.
- Red-flag screen for inflammatory, infective, vascular, oncological, and significant internal-derangement presentations that sit outside conservative-care scope.
After the examination, findings are explained in plain English, along with what we think is driving the pattern and what the options are. If imaging, a GP review, a sports-medicine opinion, or an orthopaedic opinion would add useful information, we will say so.
Warning Signs That Warrant Urgent Medical Review
Most knee pain is mechanical and not an emergency. A small number of presentations do need urgent medical review, because knee pain can occasionally be the presenting feature of something more serious.
Seek urgent medical review (GP, healthdirect 1800 022 222, or emergency department) if your knee pain is accompanied by any of the following:
- A hot, red, swollen knee with fever, chills, or feeling systemically unwell. May suggest septic arthritis, which is a medical emergency.
- A knee that is truly locked and cannot fully straighten, or repeated unprovoked giving-way. May suggest a displaced meniscal fragment or ligament rupture that warrants prompt review.
- Inability to bear any weight after an injury, or a deformed-looking knee. May suggest a fracture, major ligament tear, or joint dislocation.
- Calf swelling, calf tenderness, or unexplained calf pain alongside knee pain, especially after surgery, a long flight, or prolonged immobility. May suggest a deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which needs urgent medical review.
- Unexplained weight loss, night sweats, or persistent bony night pain. May suggest a systemic or oncological cause that warrants medical review.
- A history of cancer with new knee pain that feels different from prior musculoskeletal pain. Warrants prompt GP review.
- Numbness, pins and needles, or weakness in the leg or foot that does not settle. May suggest nerve involvement that warrants review.
If any of these apply, please do not wait for a chiropractic appointment. Contact your GP, call healthdirect on 1800 022 222, or attend your nearest emergency department. These features may indicate a condition that warrants urgent medical review, rather than a mechanical knee issue. When in doubt, please speak to your GP first.
What the Research Suggests
Conservative manual therapy, graded exercise, and load-management feature in mainstream guidelines for mechanical knee pain and knee osteoarthritis. The studies below summarise what the research suggests, not what any individual person will experience. Individual responses vary.
Deyle 2000 · Ann Intern Med
Manual therapy plus exercise may help manage knee osteoarthritis
Landmark randomised controlled trial. Combined manual therapy and supervised exercise produced clinically meaningful improvements in pain, stiffness, and function for knee osteoarthritis at 4 and 8 weeks, compared with a placebo control. Individual responses vary.
Read the study →Ammendolia 2022 · Osteoarthritis and Cartilage
Manual therapy plus exercise may add small-to-moderate benefit for knee OA
Systematic review and meta-analysis. Manual therapy combined with exercise may produce small-to-moderate improvements in pain and function for knee osteoarthritis compared with exercise alone. Benefits decline without sustained activity.
Read the study →Abbott 2013 · Osteoarthritis and Cartilage
MOA trial: manual therapy and exercise effects persisted at one year
Multicentre randomised clinical trial in knee and hip osteoarthritis (MOA). Both manual therapy and exercise therapy produced improvements over usual care, with effect sizes that may be clinically meaningful and durable at 12 months.
Read the study →van der Heijden 2015 · Cochrane Review
Exercise therapy may help manage patellofemoral pain
Cochrane systematic review. Evidence suggests exercise therapy may help manage patellofemoral pain, with low-to-moderate certainty. Hip-and-knee-focused exercise appears more beneficial than knee-only exercise in several included trials.
Read the review →Pollard 2008 · Chiropr Osteopat
Australian trial: chiropractic care may help knee OA symptoms short term
Randomised clinical trial conducted in Australia. Patellofemoral joint mobilisation with exercise was compared with exercise alone for knee osteoarthritis. Mobilisation plus exercise produced greater short-term improvements in pain than exercise alone.
Read the study →Bannuru 2019 · Osteoarthritis and Cartilage
OARSI guidelines: exercise plus manual therapy are core recommendations
International Osteoarthritis Research Society guideline. Core recommendations for knee OA include structured land-based exercise, weight management where relevant, and patient education. Manual therapy is recommended as an adjunct alongside exercise for symptom management.
Read the guideline →Mainstream guidelines from OARSI, NICE, and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners consistently place exercise, weight management where relevant, patient education, and manual therapy as first-line supportive care for knee osteoarthritis, with imaging and medication decisions led by your GP. Care is coordinated, not competitive.
Chiropractic vs Physiotherapy vs GP vs Orthopaedic Surgeon
Knee care is almost always a team sport. Here is where each role typically sits.
| What you get | Chiropractic (Stapleton) | Physiotherapy | GP | Orthopaedic Surgeon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary focus | Mechanical knee pain, kinetic-chain assessment, low-force manual therapy plus exercise | Exercise-first rehab, function, progressive loading | Medical diagnosis, medication, imaging referral, overall care coordination | Surgical assessment of ligament, meniscus, cartilage, and joint replacement |
| Manual therapy | Low-force options (Activator, drop-piece), gentle mobilisation, soft tissue work | Soft tissue work, gentle mobilisation, hands-on varies by practitioner | Minimal; focus is on medical management | Minimal; focus is on surgical decision-making |
| Exercise prescription | Yes, short home-based routines for hip, knee, and ankle | Yes, often higher volume and progressive | Typically referred out | Typically referred out pre- and post-operatively |
| Imaging and medication | We coordinate; we do not prescribe or order imaging | Usually coordinate; do not prescribe | Full scope, including imaging referral and medication | Orders imaging, plans surgery, post-op medication |
| Lock-in plans | No. Visit by visit; the decision is always yours | Varies by clinic | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Referral pathway | No referral needed; we happily coordinate with your GP | No referral needed | Your referral hub for imaging, orthopaedic and rheumatology opinions | Usually via GP referral |
| Health fund rebates | Yes, all major funds | Yes, all major funds | Varies by provider | Yes, with private health or out-of-pocket fees |
If we feel you would benefit more from a physiotherapist, your GP, or an orthopaedic opinion, we will tell you. Cold laser (ACL11 Cold Laser) operates from the same building and may be discussed during consultation when suitable.
How Chiropractic Care May Help Knee Pain
Research suggests conservative care, combining low-force manual therapy with graded exercise and kinetic-chain assessment, may help manage mechanical knee pain and knee osteoarthritis. Care is tailored to the knee, the hip, and your goals. Individual responses vary.
At Stapleton Chiropractic, care for knee pain typically includes:
- Detailed history and red-flag screen to confirm the presentation is mechanical and to rule out anything that warrants urgent medical review.
- Low-force adjustment using an Activator instrument or drop-piece table, which are well tolerated and better suited to arthritic or irritated knees than high-velocity manipulation of the joint itself.
- Diversified manual adjustment where clinically appropriate and with your informed consent, applied to the hip, lumbar spine, and ankle as part of the kinetic chain rather than the knee directly.
- Soft tissue techniques for the quadriceps, iliotibial band, hamstrings, calf, and peri-patellar regions that often guard around an irritated knee.
- Hip-focused and ankle-focused work, as research suggests hip strength and foot mechanics may contribute to patellofemoral pain, ITB-related pain, and knee osteoarthritis.
- Graded loading and home exercise for the quadriceps, hip abductors, and calf, matched to your capacity, and sized to fit into a working week.
High-velocity manipulation directly on an arthritic or acutely swollen knee is generally avoided. Progress is reviewed at each visit. There are no lock-in plans, and the decision to continue is always yours. If your response to care is not what we would expect, we will reassess and, where appropriate, discuss referral pathways back to your GP, to imaging, to a sports-medicine opinion, to an orthopaedic opinion, or to a colleague in another discipline.
Why Stapleton Chiropractic
Adult-first, evidence-informed, and family-run since 1972. No lock-in plans, clear pricing, and the decision is always yours.
Est. 1972
Over five decades on Marion Road. A Plympton Park practice your family likely already knows.
Evidence-informed
Care follows current systematic reviews and clinical guidelines, including OARSI and NICE knee OA recommendations. Outcomes are discussed honestly.
Conservative-first referral-ready
If your GP, a physiotherapist, or an orthopaedic surgeon would serve you better, we will say so clearly.
Transparent pricing
$69 initial consultation, $60 standard. All Major Health Funds Accepted with on-the-spot claiming where supported.
What Your First Visit Looks Like
Four straightforward steps. No paperwork marathons, no surprises.
Book online or call
Pick a time that suits. No referral needed. $69 initial consultation.
Brief intake
Short history form at reception, covering the knee story, prior injuries, imaging, and any red flags.
Assessment
Examination of knee, hip, lumbar, and ankle. Special tests where appropriate. We explain what we find.
Discussion & next steps
Plain-English findings and options. If care is appropriate, we discuss it. The decision is always yours.
Ready to speak to Dr Sam?
$69 initial consultation. No lock-in plans. All major health funds accepted.
Book a ConsultationTransparent Affordable Fees
No lock-in plans, no pressure. Fees sit well below the South Australian average.
Source: Australian Chiropractors Association Consultation Fee Survey 2025 (SA data). All major health funds accepted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a chiropractor help with knee pain?
Do I need imaging or an MRI for knee pain?
When should I see a GP or orthopaedic surgeon instead of a chiropractor?
Is knee osteoarthritis something a chiropractor can help with?
What is patellofemoral pain and can it be helped without surgery?
Should my hip or lower back be checked if my knee hurts?
What happens at a first consultation?
How much does a chiropractic consultation cost?
Do I need a GP referral?
Ready to Get Started? We're Ready When You Are.
Choose a time that works for you. No referral needed.
Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor)
B.Sc.(Chiro), M.Chiro.(Macq)
$69
Initial Consultation
Up to 30 minutes, including full assessment
Book Your First VisitPrefer to call? (08) 8297 5277
Text: 0400 105 454 | Email: wecanhelp@stapletonchiropractic.com.au
You will receive a confirmation email with all details immediately after booking.
Ready to Take the First Step?
Book your initial consultation with Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor). No referral needed. $69 initial consultation.
Stapleton Chiropractic. Est. 1972. Clinically led by Dr Sam Johnson (Chiropractor), BSc (Chiropractic) and MChiro, Macquarie University. AHPRA-registered.
Address: 528 Marion Road, Plympton Park SA 5038 Phone: (08) 8297 5277 Hours: Mon to Fri 7am to 7pm, Sat 8am to 12pm Email: wecanhelp@stapletonchiropractic.com.au
Scope note: We focus on the assessment and conservative management of musculoskeletal conditions. We do not make claims about non-musculoskeletal conditions.