When does it occur?
- On stairs (In Greek)When going up or down.
- After running (In Greek)Common in runners and with repeated loading.
- After an injury (In Greek)A twist, fall or sports injury.
Knee hub
Knee: Pain, Conditions, Treatments and Recovery
An organised guide to help you start with knee pain (In Greek), understand the diagnosis and explore treatment options — from non-surgical care to possible surgery and rehabilitation.
MRI is one part of the diagnosisTreatment decisions are based on symptoms, examination, imaging and the patient's goals.
Start with your symptoms
Where does it hurt, and when does the pain occur?
If you do not know the diagnosis, start with the general page on Knee pain (In Greek) or choose the description that best matches your problem.
What else do you feel?
- Swelling or fluid (In Greek)Immediately after an injury or gradually.
- Locking (In Greek)Inability to fully straighten or bend the knee.
- Instability (In Greek)A feeling that the knee is giving way.
When is a more urgent assessment needed?
Marked swelling after an injury, inability to bear weight, visible deformity, true locking, recurrent instability, redness with warmth or fever, and pain with calf swelling require prompt medical assessment.
Knee conditions
The most common knee conditions
Knee conditions may be related to injury, joint wear, kneecap problems or overloading during exercise. Choose the category that best matches your problem to explore common symptoms, diagnosis and available treatment options.
Injuries and sports injuries
- Meniscus tear (In Greek)
Pain, swelling, locking and treatment options.
- Anterior cruciate ligament tear (In Greek)
Instability, indications for surgery and return to sport.
- Articular cartilage damage (In Greek)
Traumatic or degenerative damage that may cause pain, swelling and restricted function.
Degenerative conditions and arthritis
- Knee osteoarthritis (In Greek)
Pain, stiffness, exercise, injection treatments and knee replacement.
- Degenerative meniscus tear (In Greek)
Common in older adults and often initially managed without surgery.
Kneecap conditions and anterior knee pain
- Patellar chondropathy
Pain at the front of the knee, particularly on stairs or when squatting deeply.
- Patellar instability (In Greek)
Subluxation, dislocation and a recurrent feeling of instability.
Overuse conditions and pain during exercise
- Patellar tendinopathy
Pain below the kneecap, often in athletes who jump.
- Iliotibial band syndrome (In Greek)
Characteristic pain on the outer side of the knee, mainly in runners.
Pain or swelling behind the knee?
Read about Baker's cyst (In Greek) and other possible causes of pain behind the knee.
Diagnosis
Treatment is not decided on X-rays and MRI alone
Findings must be considered alongside the history, clinical examination and the way the patient's function is affected.
“Imaging is part of the diagnosis, not a diagnosis on its own.”
An imaging finding may be important, symptomatic, secondary or even unrelated to the main pain. Correlation with the clinical assessment determines the next step.
1
History
When it started, where it hurts and whether there was an injury.
2
Clinical examination
Movement, stability, swelling, gait and functional tests.
3
X-rays
Particularly useful in arthritis, for assessing alignment and when taken in an appropriate weight-bearing position.
4
MRI
When there is a specific question about the meniscus, ACL or cartilage.
Treatment pathway
Treatment is planned individually
Not every patient follows the same pathway. The choice of treatment is based on the diagnosis, severity of symptoms, function and each patient's personal goals.
1
Non-surgical management
Exercise, physiotherapy, activity modification and load management.
2
Injection and biological treatments
PRP / ACP, hyaluronic acid, corticosteroids, injectable collagen and selected cell-based therapies may be used for specific indications. The choice depends on the diagnosis, stage of the condition and treatment goal.
PRP / ACPHyaluronic acidCorticosteroids (In Greek)PRP or hyaluronic acid for the knee (In Greek)Injectable collagenCell-based therapies
3
Surgical management
Surgery is considered individually, based on the diagnosis, severity of symptoms, functional limitations and response to previous treatments.
Knee procedures
Knee arthroscopy or knee replacement?
Knee procedures fall into two main categories, depending on the problem and treatment goal.
Recovery
What to expect after each procedure
Recovery times vary with the procedure and the individual. The guides below explain what usually applies to walking, driving, work, exercise and return to sport.
After knee arthroscopy
WalkingThis depends on the procedure performed on the knee. Walking usually starts straight away with crutches.
DrivingDepending on the affected leg, pain and safety.
WorkThis differs between sedentary and manual work.
ExerciseExercise is reintroduced gradually, provided the knee does not swell and has good movement, strength and stability.
After meniscus repair
CrutchesOften needed for protection.
Weight-bearingDetermined by the type of repair.
BendingMay be temporarily restricted.
RunningAllowed later than after a simple meniscectomy.
After anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction
First weeksEmphasis on regaining full extension, reducing swelling and activating the quadriceps.
RunningBased on strength and control criteria.
JumpingAfter adequate neuromuscular control has been achieved.
SportWith functional testing and risk assessment.
After knee replacement
WalkingUsually starts straight away, with an appropriate walking aid.
StairsA safe technique is taught.
DrivingWhen control and safe reaction times have returned.
SwellingGradually decreases over a number of weeks.
Injured during sport?
Explore the approach to sports injuries, from assessment to a gradual return to activity.
Frequently asked questions
Answers at a glance
When should knee pain be assessed?
When it persists, is accompanied by swelling, instability, locking, restricted movement or inability to bear weight, or started after a significant injury.
Is an MRI always needed for the knee?
No. In many cases, the history, clinical examination and appropriate X-rays are the first step. MRI is requested when it can answer a specific clinical question and change management.
Does a meniscus tear always need arthroscopy?
No. The decision depends on the type of tear, symptoms, age, activity level, mechanical symptoms and whether arthritis is also present.
When can PRP or ACP injections help?
They may provide improvement in selected patients, mainly in mild or moderate degenerative disease and certain tendinopathies. They do not guarantee cartilage regeneration and do not replace all other treatments.
Can exercise make arthritis worse?
Appropriately selected exercise usually helps strength, function and symptom control. It needs to be adjusted if it causes persistent swelling or significant deterioration.
When is knee replacement considered?
When advanced arthritis causes significant pain and functional limitations, and appropriate non-surgical treatments do not provide adequate relief.
Clinics in Athens & Loutraki
Need an assessment or a second opinion on your knee?
If you have persistent pain, a recent MRI, or are considering treatment or surgery, you can arrange an individual assessment.