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Kneecap pain with movement

Pain around or behind the kneecap when using stairs, squatting, running or sitting for a long time is often called patellofemoral pain. The knee is usually not damaged; targeted exercise therapy and a gradual increase in activity often help.

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Pain around or behind the kneecap when using stairs, squatting, running or sitting for a long time is often called patellofemoral pain. The knee is usually not damaged; targeted exercise therapy and a gradual increase in activity often help.

  • Dull or sharp pain around, below or behind the kneecap.
  • Pain when using stairs, squatting, running, jumping, standing up or walking downhill.
  • Temporarily reduce deep knee bends, jumps, hills or distances that cause clear pain afterwards.
  • Keep walking, cycling or swimming within tolerable limits to maintain fitness.
  • Make an appointment if pain does not clearly improve after six weeks of adjusted activity and exercises.
  • For urgent GP care outside office hours, call HAP 9252. Call Ambulance 912 only for an immediate threat to life.

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Further reading

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Outer hip painPain on the outside of the hip is often caused by irritation of the gluteal tendons around the bony prominence at the hip. Adjusting activities and targeted exercise therapy usually help more than prolonged rest.
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Runner's kneeRunner's knee often means pain on the outside of the knee from irritation around the iliotibial band. The term is also used for other overuse problems, such as patellofemoral pain at the front. Identifying the pain's location and cause therefore matters. Reducing load, temporarily adjusting sport and building back gradually often help. Not all knee pain with running is harmless: a fall, fever, a warm swollen knee, a swollen lower leg or inability to bear weight needs prompt assessment.
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Tendon painTendon pain often develops when loading increases faster than the tendon can adapt. A tendon usually recovers with targeted, gradual loading; complete rest and passive treatments alone are often not enough.