Knee Pain & Injury Treatment in Surrey, BC
Knee pain can stem from ligament sprains, meniscus issues, or patellofemoral dysfunction. We look at the hip and ankle to find the root cause.
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Most knee pain — including pain on stairs, after running, or following a twist — improves with targeted strengthening of the quadriceps and hips rather than rest alone. At Regenesis in Surrey, we identify whether the source is the kneecap joint, a ligament, the meniscus, or a tendon, and most cases improve within 6–16 weeks.
Medically reviewed by Ankur Sharma, BPT, MPT (Sports)Last updated June 12, 2026
What causes knee injuries?
Knee pain has several distinct mechanical sources. Patellofemoral pain — the most common — produces an ache around or behind the kneecap during stairs, squatting, or prolonged sitting, and usually reflects load exceeding the joint's current capacity, often with contributing hip weakness. Ligament sprains (MCL, ACL) follow a twist or impact, with ACL injuries classically involving a 'pop' and rapid swelling. Meniscus irritation can cause catching, clicking, or a sense of locking, and in adults over 40 often develops gradually without any single injury. Tendinopathies — patellar or quadriceps — follow spikes in jumping or running volume. Because the knee sits between the hip and ankle, weakness or stiffness at either neighbour reliably shows up as knee overload, which is why our assessment always examines the whole lower limb.
Symptoms we treat
- Pain when going up or down stairs or during deep squats
- Swelling or a feeling of 'fullness' around the joint after activity
- Clicking, locking, or a sensation that the knee might 'give way'
- Stiffness in the joint after periods of inactivity
Red flags — when to seek urgent care
These signs need medical assessment before physiotherapy:
- Inability to bear weight after an injury, or obvious deformity
- A knee locked and unable to fully straighten
- Rapid swelling within the first hours after a twisting injury
- Calf pain, swelling, or heat — possible blood clot, seek same-day medical care
- Fever with a hot, swollen knee joint
How we assess it at Regenesis
Evaluation includes ligamentous stability testing, meniscus screening, and a look at your lower limb alignment. We specifically measure quad and glute strength, as these support the knee.
Treatment approach
We focus on quad and hip strengthening to optimize joint loading. For acute injuries, we manage inflammation and restore early range of motion; for chronic cases, we focus on progressive impact and load tolerance.
Our approach is multimodal, often integrating Physiotherapy and Kinesiology to manage acute symptoms while building long-term physiological resilience. We emphasize patient education, ensuring you understand the mechanical factors behind your condition so you can play an active role in your recovery.
Recovery timeline & prognosis
Patellofemoral pain typically improves over 6–12 weeks of progressive hip and quadriceps strengthening. Low-grade ligament sprains settle in 2–6 weeks; higher-grade injuries take 8–12 weeks or longer. Degenerative meniscus symptoms respond to strengthening over 8–12 weeks in the majority of cases — trial of exercise therapy is now standard before considering arthroscopy. ACL ruptures managed surgically involve 9–12 months of structured rehab; we use objective strength and hop testing rather than the calendar to guide return to sport.
Exercises you can start today
Gentle starting points — stop if symptoms sharply increase, and see the red flags above before self-managing.
1. Quad sets
Sitting with your leg straight, tighten your thigh muscle and press the back of the knee down, holding 5 seconds. 2 sets of 10. Maintains quadriceps activation, which deteriorates quickly in painful or swollen knees.
2. Sit-to-stand
From a firm chair, stand up and sit down slowly without using your hands, keeping the knee tracking over the foot. 2 sets of 8–10. A functional, easily progressed quadriceps exercise — raise the seat height if painful.
3. Side-lying hip abduction
Lying on your side, lift the top leg toward the ceiling with the knee straight and the leg in line with your body. 2 sets of 10 each side. Strengthens the lateral hip muscles that control how the knee tracks under load.
Knee Injuries care in Surrey
Our Newton clinic sees three big groups of knee pain: runners and recreational athletes from Surrey's soccer, basketball, and running communities — including Bear Creek Park regulars — managing load-related pain; workers with kneeling- and squatting-heavy jobs in construction and trades, often through WorkSafeBC; and adults considering or recovering from knee surgery. For post-surgical knees, we follow your surgeon's protocol and track quadriceps strength objectively so each phase is earned, not guessed.
What to Expect
Typical Timeline
6-16 weeks for most musculoskeletal knee issues; longer for post-surgical rehab. for significant improvement.
Prognosis
The goal is to restore full knee extension and flexion while building the strength needed to protect the joint during high-impact activities.