What to expect from physiotherapy for knee cartilage injury

Your physiotherapist will assess swelling, knee movement, walking, muscle control, and activities that provoke symptoms. Early care may use gentle range-of-motion exercises and guidance on loading the knee. As movement settles, exercises can target the quadriceps, hamstrings, hips, and calf so the joint is supported during standing, stairs, and walking.

A cartilage injury can behave differently depending on its location, size, and whether another structure is affected. Treatment should therefore be adjusted if the knee catches, gives way, or becomes more swollen after exercise.

Attend sessions consistently and practise the home programme with the prescribed form. Use symptoms as feedback: mild muscle effort can be expected, but sharp pain, increasing swelling, or a marked limp means the activity may need to be reduced. Keep moving within the limits set for you, and ask when cycling, running, kneeling, or sport-specific drills can be reintroduced.

A supportive plan may include pacing, temporary activity changes, and techniques to improve balance and confidence. Physiotherapy is supportive care; persistent locking or suspected major damage may require an orthopaedic assessment.

Arrange prompt medical review if the knee becomes suddenly very swollen, cannot bear weight, repeatedly gives way, or cannot fully straighten. Seek urgent care after a serious injury if the leg looks deformed, the foot becomes cold or numb, or pain is severe and worsening.

Which movements should I temporarily limit, and what level of discomfort is acceptable during exercises? How will we measure progress, and when can I return to work, stairs, driving, or sport? Does my examination suggest that I need imaging or an orthopaedic opinion?