Knee pain can often be treated at home - you should start to feel better in a few days. Call 111 if the pain is very bad.

How to ease knee pain and swelling

If you have knee pain, try these things first:

• put as little weight as possible on the knee - for example, avoid standing for a long time
• use an ice pack (or bag of frozen peas wrapped in a tea towel) on your knee for up to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours
• take painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen

See a GP if:

• knee pain does not improve within a few weeks

Refer yourself for back or joint help 

In many areas you may be able to get help, such as physiotherapy, from NHS community musculoskeletal (MSK) services without needing a referral from a GP.

Get advice from 111 now if:

• your knee is very painful
• you cannot move your knee or put any weight on it
• your knee is badly swollen or has changed shape
• your knee locks, gives way or painfully clicks – painless clicking is normal
• you have a very high temperature, feel hot and shivery, and have redness or heat around your knee - this can be a sign of infection

111 will tell you what to do.  They can tell you the right place to get help if you need to see someone.

Get help from NHS 111 Wales online or call 111.

Other ways to get urgent help

You can also go to an urgent treatment centre if you need to see someone now.

They're also called walk-in centres or minor injuries units.

You may be seen quicker than you would at A&E.

Treatments for knee pain

A doctor can suggest treatment based on what's causing your knee pain.

They might:

• prescribe medicine or physiotherapy
• refer you to hospital for a scan or specialist treatment (for example, surgery)

Common causes of knee pain

Knee pain can be a symptom of many different conditions.

This information might give you an idea of what the cause might be. But do not self-diagnose - see a GP if you're worried.

Knee pain after an injury

Knee symptoms and possible causes:

• Pain after overstretching, overusing or twisting, often during exercise - possible cause could be sprains and strains
• Pain between your kneecap and shin, often caused by repetitive running or jumping - possible cause could be tendonitis
• Unstable, gives way when you try to stand, unable to straighten, may hear a popping sound during injury - possible cause could be torn ligament, tendon or meniscus, cartilage damage
• Kneecap changes shape after a collision or sudden change in direction - possible cause could be dislocated kneecap

Knee pain with no obvious injury

Knee symptoms and possible causes:

• Pain and stiffness in both knees, mild swelling, more common in older people - possible cause is osteoarthritis
• Warm and red, kneeling or bending makes pain and swelling worse - possible cause is bursitis
• Swelling, warmth, bruising, more likely while taking anticoagulants - possible cause is bleeding in the joint
• Hot and red, sudden attacks of very bad pain - possible causes are gout or septic arthritis
• Teenagers and young adult with pain and swelling below kneecap - Osgood Schlatter's disease