Knee pain or an ACL injury? Get a clear plan
Whether your knee aches on the stairs, swelled up after a twist on the football pitch or you are recovering from ACL surgery, our Hendon physios give you a clear diagnosis and a step-by-step plan.
★★★★★ 5.0 on Google from 285 reviews of our Hendon clinic
Quick answer: Most knee pain improves with strengthening and adjusting activity. Meniscus tears often do well with rehab rather than surgery, and after an ACL injury, rehab with or without reconstruction usually takes 9 to 12 months before returning to pivoting sport. BOOST PHYSIO Hendon, 16 Parson Street, NW4 1QB, can assess you, often the same day.
Common knee problems we see in Hendon
Front of knee pain
Patellofemoral pain
Ache around the kneecap on stairs, squatting and after sitting.
Meniscus tear
Cartilage injury
Pain with twisting or deep bending, sometimes swelling, clicking or catching.
ACL injury
Ligament rupture
A pop and quick swelling after twisting or landing, often followed by the knee giving way.
Knee osteoarthritis
Stiffness and ache
Very common and very treatable with strengthening and staying active.
Tendon pain
Patellar tendinopathy
Pain just below the kneecap with jumping, running and squats.
After knee surgery
Replacement, arthroscopy, ACL
Structured rehab working alongside your surgeon’s guidelines.
A knee that swells within hours of a twist, gives way or locks needs a proper assessment. Many other knee problems build up gradually from load: more running, more stairs, a new class at the gym or extra weight on the joint.
Either way, the treatment that makes the biggest difference is a progressive strengthening programme for the thigh, hip and calf, matched to where you are and what you want to get back to.
Why is my knee swollen? Reasons and causes
Book a knee assessment in Hendon
No GP referral needed. Book online, call us or send a WhatsApp.
Meniscus tears: surgery or rehab?
For many people with a degenerative meniscus tear, the kind that comes on gradually in middle age, exercise-based physio gives similar results to keyhole surgery. Traumatic tears in younger, active people sometimes need a surgeon’s opinion, especially if the knee locks.
In this video, a 43-year-old patient with a complex meniscus tear talks about how physio helped.
How physio helped a patient with a torn meniscus
ACL rehab: the long game that pays off
| Weeks 0 to 2 | Full knee straightening, quad activation, controlling swelling |
|---|---|
| Weeks 2 to 12 | Strength, balance and normal walking, then gym-based loading |
| Months 3 to 6 | Running, landing and agility drills when strength allows |
| Months 6 to 12 | Sport-specific training and return to sport testing |
| With or without surgery | Rehab is essential either way, and some people do well without reconstruction |
Similar
outcomes at 2 years for early ACL reconstruction and rehab with optional later surgery in the KANON trial
Frobell et al, NEJM 2010
9-12 months
is the usual time frame before returning to pivoting sport after ACL reconstruction
Ardern et al, Br J Sports Med 2016
First line
treatment for knee osteoarthritis is exercise and education
NICE NG226, 2022
The best knee rehab is specific, progressive and honest about timelines. Rushing back is the most common reason knees get injured again.
When to get your knee checked promptly
- Rapid swelling within a few hours of an injury
- A knee that locks and will not straighten, or keeps giving way
- You cannot put weight on the leg
- A hot, red, swollen knee with fever
Meet your Hendon physios
Aaran and Micki both have a particular interest in knee problems and rehab after knee surgery, and Michael brings experience from professional football.
Michael English
Specialist Physiotherapist
Michael was Lead Academy Physio at Brentford FC and now treats patients at our Hendon and Mill Hill clinics, from sports injuries to everyday aches and pains.
Aaran Purwaha-Sidhu
Senior Physiotherapist
Aaran treats knee, shoulder and back pain in Hendon and uses shockwave and acupuncture alongside exercise rehab where they are a good fit.
Sarah Shamia
Senior Physiotherapist
Sarah helps Hendon patients with persistent pain, sports injuries and recovery after surgery, taking time to understand the whole picture.
Micki Hammond
Senior Physiotherapist
Micki treats sports injuries and back pain in Hendon and has a particular interest in rehab after hip and knee surgery.
Soma Fershi
Chartered Physiotherapist
Soma treats sports and gym injuries at our Hendon and Hampstead Garden Suburb clinics, with a strong focus on getting you back to training safely.
What our Hendon patients say
★★★★★
“I have a root tear minuscus, can’t bend my knee, swellings etc and he has over past couple of months helped be go from nearly deciding to have surgery to now feel like I’ve got this.”
★★★★★
“They gave me confidence in my knee exercises and explained everything clearly.”
★★★★★
“I injured my knee from running and was worried it would prevent me from running a marathon at the end of the year.”
Watch: knee and ACL rehab
Short videos from our physios.
Exercises for the first two weeks after ACL reconstruction
Gym-based rehab after knee surgery
Pain squatting? Pain at the front of the knee?
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 Hendon 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 Hampstead Garden Suburb, Mill Hill or East Finchley, or read more about our Hendon clinic. Hip pain too? Read our guide to hip pain and hip replacement rehab in Hendon.
Back to full strength
Book at BOOST PHYSIO Hendon, 16 Parson Street, NW4.
Related reading
Knee pain physio
ACL reconstruction rehabKnee replacement rehab
Hip pain and hip replacement rehab in Hendon
Weekend sport knee injury: scan, surgery or rehab?Sports physioYour questions answered
Do I need surgery for a meniscus tear?
Not always. Many degenerative tears do as well with exercise-based physio as with surgery. A tear that causes locking may need a surgeon’s opinion.
Can you rehab an ACL without surgery?
Some people do well with rehab alone, especially if they do not play pivoting sports. Others need reconstruction. We can help you weigh this up and refer to a knee surgeon if needed.
When should I start physio after ACL surgery?
Usually within the first week or two, following your surgeon’s protocol. The early focus is on straightening the knee and waking up the quads.
Do I need a knee scan?
A scan is considered after a significant injury with swelling, giving way or locking. Many other knee problems can be diagnosed with a thorough assessment.
Do I need a GP referral?
No. You can book directly online, by phone or on WhatsApp. If you are claiming on health insurance, check whether your insurer needs a GP referral first.
Can I use my health insurance?
Yes. We are recognised by Bupa, AXA Health, Vitality, WPA and Aviva. Bring your authorisation code to your first appointment.
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 Michael English, Aaran Purwaha-Sidhu, Sarah Shamia, Micki Hammond and Soma Fershi at BOOST PHYSIO Hendon. 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. BMJ 2016;354:i3740.
- Ardern CL et al. 2016 Consensus statement on return to sport. Br J Sports Med 2016;50:853-864.
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.
