Knee pain on Hampstead’s hills? Let’s fix it properly
Hampstead is not kind to sore knees. Steep streets, the Heath and Holly Hill itself. Whether it is an ache around the kneecap, a twist playing sport or rehab after ACL surgery, our physios will explain what is going on and how to get you back.
★★★★★ 4.9 on Google from 177 reviews of our Hampstead clinic
Quick answer: Most knee pain, including kneecap pain, many meniscus tears and early arthritis, improves with a progressive exercise programme. After an ACL injury, structured rehab matters as much as whether you have surgery. Our Hampstead clinic at 5 Holly Hill, NW3 6QN, can assess you, often the same day.
The common causes of knee pain
Kneecap pain
Patellofemoral pain
Ache around or behind the kneecap on stairs, hills and after sitting.
Meniscus tear
Twist or wear
Pain on the joint line, swelling or catching, after a twist or gradually.
ACL injury
Pop and swelling
A pop, quick swelling and the knee giving way, often in football, skiing or netball.
Knee arthritis
Stiffness and ache
Morning stiffness and pain with walking that responds well to strength work.
Knee pain is rarely just about the knee. How your hips, thighs and ankles share the load decides how much the knee takes, which is why a good assessment looks at your whole leg and the way you move.
A swollen knee after a twist needs proper assessment within days, so we can tell you whether you need a scan or a specialist opinion.
Why is my knee swollen?
Twisted your knee?
Get it assessed early. Same day appointments are often available in Hampstead.
ACL rehab, with or without surgery
ACL rehab exercises from the BOOST PHYSIO team
After an ACL tear, some people do well with structured rehab alone and others need a reconstruction, depending on the sport they want to return to and how stable the knee feels. Either way, rehab is the long part. We work to clear milestones for strength, hopping and agility before you return to sport, and we liaise with your surgeon if you have an operation.
Similar
outcomes at 2 years from rehab with optional later surgery versus early ACL reconstruction
Frobell et al, NEJM 2010 (KANON)
As good
exercise therapy was no worse than keyhole surgery for degenerative meniscus tears
Kise et al, BMJ 2016
~5
sessions is typical for our patients to reach their goals
BOOST PHYSIO patient data
What helps knee pain
- Calming things down by adjusting hills, stairs and sport for a short time
- Strength for the thigh and hip muscles, progressed week by week
- Hands-on treatment, taping or muscle stimulation where they help
- Balance and landing drills before you go back to sport
- A clear plan, with most patients reaching their goals in around 5 sessions
When to seek medical advice
- A knee that locks and will not straighten
- Rapid swelling within hours of an injury
- A hot, red, swollen knee with fever
- Being unable to take weight after a fall
Meet your Hampstead physios
Travis leads the Hampstead team with a strong interest in sports knees, Annie specialises in rehab after surgery, and Kathleen and Kate see many runners.
Madeleine Paterson
Senior Physiotherapist
Maddy is our Hampstead women’s health physio, trained in the Mummy MOT, and also treats sports injuries.
Travis Egerton
Senior Physiotherapist and Clinical Lead
Travis leads our Hampstead and Swiss Cottage clinicians and has a particular interest in sports injuries, back pain and ankle problems.
Annie McCambridge
Senior Physiotherapist
Annie treats sports injuries and specialises in step-by-step rehab after fractures and surgery.
Kathleen Eng
Chartered Physiotherapist
Kathleen works with runners, sporty patients and people whose pain has built up from long hours at a desk.
Kate McLeod
Specialist Physiotherapist
Kate sees runners, complex or long-standing injuries and patients with hypermobility.
Siubhan Slater
Senior Physiotherapist
Siubhan treats sports injuries, back and neck pain and rehab after surgery.
What our Hampstead patients say
★★★★★
“She seems like the person to go for if you have a tendon or running related injury.”
★★★★★
“An̈nie did great work on bringing right knee back. Pain and stiffness eased.”
★★★★★
“Several weeks ago, I started getting seriously bad pain in my lower left back, the left groin and leg.”
Watch: knee advice from our physios
Short videos our physios use with knee patients.
Pain at the front of the knee
How to protect your knees
One clinic, the experience of a whole team
Something our patients don’t always realise is how much support sits behind each physio. Our team trains together twice a month and every physio has a dedicated mentor who reviews cases with them, so when you see us in Hampstead you get the experience of the whole BOOST PHYSIO group.
- Same day appointments, seven days a week across our clinics
- No GP referral needed
- Recognised by Bupa, AXA Health, Vitality, WPA and Aviva
Prefer another clinic? Book at BOOST PHYSIO Swiss Cottage, West Hampstead or Kentish Town, or read more about knee pain physio and ACL reconstruction rehab.
Get your knee strong again
Book at BOOST PHYSIO Hampstead, 5 Holly Hill, NW3 6QN.
Related reading
Your questions answered
Do I need an MRI for knee pain?
Often not at first. A careful assessment tells us a lot. If we suspect an ACL tear, a locked knee or something that needs a specialist, we will arrange a referral.
Can I avoid ACL surgery?
Some people can, especially if they do not plan to return to pivoting sports. We will help you weigh it up with your surgeon.
Why do my knees hurt walking downhill?
Downhill and stairs down put the most load through the front of the knee. Stronger thigh and hip muscles usually make a big difference.
Do I need a GP referral to see a physio?
No. You can book directly with us online, by phone or on WhatsApp. If you are claiming on private medical insurance, check with your insurer first, as some ask for a GP or specialist referral.
How many sessions will I need?
It depends on the problem and your goals. On average our patients reach their goals in around 5 sessions, and we will give you an honest estimate at your first appointment in Hampstead.
Written and clinically reviewed by Steven Berkman, BSc Physiotherapy (University of Cape Town), HCPC-registered chartered physiotherapist, MCSP, founder of BOOST PHYSIO in 2008, with Madeleine Paterson, Travis Egerton, Annie McCambridge, Kathleen Eng, Kate McLeod and Siubhan Slater at BOOST PHYSIO Hampstead. Last reviewed 12 November 2026.
References
- Frobell RB et al. A randomized trial of treatment for acute anterior cruciate ligament tears. N Engl J Med 2010;363:331-342.
- Kise NJ et al. Exercise therapy versus arthroscopic partial meniscectomy for degenerative meniscal tear in middle aged patients: randomised controlled superiority trial with two year follow-up. BMJ 2016;354:i3740.
- Crossley KM et al. 2016 Patellofemoral pain consensus statement. Br J Sports Med 2016;50:839-843.
This article is general information, not a diagnosis. If you are unsure what is causing your symptoms, book an assessment or speak to your GP. If you have severe or rapidly worsening symptoms, call 111 or 999.
