The knee is a complex, weight-bearing joint made up of bones, cartilage, ligaments, tendons, and surrounding muscles. Knee pain affects people of all ages and is often the result of injury, aging, wear and tear, or underlying inflammation. It is your body’s way of signaling that something isn’t right, and ignoring it may lead to worsened symptoms, loss of function, or more complex health issues down the line.
Knee pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal complaints across all age groups. It can range from occasional stiffness and discomfort to persistent pain that limits mobility and daily function. This pain can be acute if related to a specific incident or chronic if it lasts for months.
Many people struggle with knee pain because they receive fragmented care, addressing symptoms but not the root cause. Effective treatment needs a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach. Skipping any of these stages increases the risk of recurrence or incomplete healing.
At Nivaan, we specialize in helping individuals find lasting relief through a multidisciplinary, tech-enabled integrated care model. Nivaan’s holistic approach offers end-to-end pain management services based on these key pillars:
Knee pain isn’t always straightforward. It can be acute or chronic, unilateral or bilateral, and may even involve other joints or body systems. Identifying the root cause is crucial for designing the right treatment plan.
While some cases are localized to the knee joint (such as ligament injuries or meniscus tears), others may stem from systemic conditions like autoimmune arthritis or infections. Knee pain can also be a result of nutritional deficiencies, pregnancy-related joint stress, or underlying comorbidities like diabetes or obesity.
Below are a few common causes of knee pain and how they affect movement, function, and overall well-being:
OA is the most common cause of chronic knee pain, especially in older adults. It is a degenerative joint disease where the protective cartilage (tissue that covers the end of bones within the joint and acts as a cushion and natural shock absorber) wears down over time.
The loss of cartilage leads to bone-on-bone grinding, resulting in inflammation of synovium which causes pain and reduced mobility. The risk of developing OA increases with age, excess body weight, and any past history of knee injuries or knee surgeries, all of which can accelerate joint degeneration.
Tendinitis is inflammation of the tendons around the knee, often from repetitive strain or overuse, particularly in athletes. Tendons are strong, fibrous connective tissues that attach muscles to bones. In the knee, tendons play a critical role in enabling movement by transmitting the force generated by muscles to the bones, allowing the leg to extend and flex. When these tendons become inflamed, they get irritated with movement, leading to sharp, localized pain, tenderness, and sometimes swelling, especially during activity or after periods of rest.
The meniscus is a C-shaped cartilage that cushions your knee. Twisting or turning suddenly, especially with weight-bearing, can tear the meniscus. A torn meniscus can cause damage or swelling in the knee, often making it difficult to bend or straighten the joint fully.
Sudden stops, pivots, or direct impacts during sports or due to trauma can damage the ligaments that stabilize your knee, especially the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Ligament tears lead to joint instability, swelling, and pain, particularly when trying to bear weight or change direction.
Bursae are fluid-filled sacs that cushion your knee joint. Swollen bursae lead to localized pain and tenderness, especially on pressure or with kneeling and squatting. The two common forms are:
Jumper’s Knee is common among runners and jumpers, this condition affects the patellar tendon, which connects the kneecap to the shinbone. Repeated stress leads to microtears and inflammation in the tendon, causing pain just below the kneecap, especially during activity.
It is a condition characterized by the softening and damage of the cartilage on the underside of the kneecap, leading to knee pain and discomfort, particularly during activities like walking or climbing stairs.
Seen primarily in growing adolescents, this condition involves irritation at the point where the patellar tendon attaches to the shinbone. It results in swelling and tenderness below the kneecap, worsened by running, jumping, or kneeling.
A form of inflammatory arthritis, gout is caused by excess uric acid, which forms sharp crystals in joints, often affecting the knee. Sudden, intense pain, redness, warmth, and swelling occur when urate crystals irritate the joint lining.
A dislocation occurs when the patella (kneecap) slips out of its groove, often due to trauma or a sudden twist. Dislocation causes immediate pain, visible deformity, and inability to bend or bear weight on the knee.
Common in runners and cyclists, ITBS involves inflammation of the iliotibial band, a thick band of tissue running along the outer thigh. Repetitive friction between the IT band and outer knee structures causes sharp, burning pain on the outer side of the knee.
RA is an autoimmune condition that affects multiple joints symmetrically, including the knees. The immune system attacks the joint lining (synovium), causing chronic inflammation, swelling, stiffness, and long-term joint damage. It commonly begins in early adulthood and worsens without treatment.
Pain management becomes even more critical after surgery, especially for those experiencing chronic post-surgical pain, stiffness, or limited mobility. At Nivaan, we regularly see patients who have had procedures like total knee replacements, arthroscopies, or ligament reconstructions, yet continue to struggle with unresolved or new pain. Our pain specialists are trained to manage complex, post-surgical cases using non-surgical interventions, all tailored to promote healing and restore function.
At Nivaan, we are dedicated to helping individuals overcome knee pain and return to active, fulfilling lives. Our multidisciplinary, tech-enabled integrated care model brings together clinical expertise and personalized care to address not just the symptoms, but the root causes of pain. Understanding that pain is influenced by physical, psychological, and lifestyle factors, we offer an end-to-end, holistic approach to pain management.
Our team includes some of the most experienced pain physicians, physiotherapists, nutritionists, and psychologists who work collaboratively to design a single, customized care pathway for each patient.
Several risk factors can contribute to developing knee pain:
Seek immediate medical care if your knee pain is a new onset in extremes of age or accompanied with:
From the moment you step into Nivaan, our multidisciplinary team will conduct a complete evaluation and work together to identify the root cause of your pain. Then, a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs and goals is built. We begin with a comprehensive evaluation with:
We’ll assess your posture, flexibility, strength, reflexes, and nerve function. A range of clinical tests helps us pinpoint the area and nature of the problem
Some tests that may be recommended in patients with knee pain include:
Imaging may be needed to get a clearer picture.
Combining clinical expertise with advanced diagnostics, Nivaan ensures a precise, accurate diagnosis that drives smarter, safer, and more effective treatments.
At Nivaan, we believe in a patient-centered approach, with treatment plans tailored to your specific condition and needs. Led by a pain specialist, our clinical team has specialists in physiotherapy, psychology, and nutrition.
Guided by multidisciplinary and tech-enabled protocols that are gold standard worldwide, our experts design a personalized, protocol-based treatment plan focusing on end-to-end pain management.
These plans aim to relieve pain and inflammation, improve mobility and function, and help you return to your daily activities by effectively reversing the underlying disease process
Our comprehensive approach includes:
All pain management procedures for the knee are followed by advice for knee braces and physiotherapy, followed by active at-home knee strengthening exercises.
Guided by our expertise, patients learn to increase muscle strength around the knee, movement, flexibility, and endurance. Physiotherapists help patients learn about approaches to reduce stress on the knee joint and improve flexibility, mobility, and support.
Our experts evaluate eating habits, energy levels, comorbidities, and body composition. We also explore potential deficiencies contributing to fatigue, inflammation, or poor healing, such as low vitamin D, iron deficiency, or unstable blood sugar levels. Based on this, patients receive a customized dietary plan, which may include:
It addresses not only the physical aspects of discomfort but also the emotional and psychological factors contributing to pain perception and management. This includes:
For persistent pain that doesn’t respond to conservative treatments, we offer a range of minimally invasive procedures:
A same-day procedure performed under light sedation or anesthesia, RFA uses heat to disrupt nerve signals responsible for chronic pain. The doctor first performs a nerve block to determine the exact source of the pain. A needle is then inserted to target the nerve causing the pain, and heat is applied. This heat creates a lesion that blocks pain signals arising from your knee that travel along the affected nerve to the brain.
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) and similar Autologous Biologics stimulate tissue regeneration and healing. PRP injections use a concentrated form of the patient’s blood platelets to promote tissue healing and reduce knee inflammation, reducing pain and improving mobility.
This involves injecting hyaluronic acid, a natural joint fluid, into the affected joint to provide lubrication and cushioning. It aims to alleviate pain and improve joint movement.
These injections deliver medication directly into the knee joint to reduce inflammation and pain but are used for specific indications only.
Many patients have found significant to complete relief from chronic back pain through Nivaan’s multidisciplinary pain management approach:
Regular assessment of pain levels using a Numerical Rating Scale (0-10) helps guide treatment effectiveness and patient satisfaction. Pain can be documented at rest, during activity, and at night, helping identify patterns and tailoring interventions. Patients rate their pain on a scale from 0 to 10, where 0 denotes no pain and 10 is rated for worst pain imaginable. This scale is used:
International scales like WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index) and KOOS (Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score) help evaluate mobility and balance, joint flexibility and range of motion, ability to perform ADLs (Activities of Daily Living) like dressing, bathing, walking, climbing stairs, and endurance and strength during functional tasks
WOMAC Index assesses 3 key domains:
KOOS Score is useful for active individuals and those undergoing rehabilitation.
It includes:
Periodic evaluations of nutritional parameters (vitamin levels, etc.).
In case of overweight and obese patients
Patient feedback on changes in pain, energy levels, and overall well-being.
You should see a doctor if your knee pain is severe, persistent for more than a week, causes swelling, instability, or if you can’t bear weight on the joint.
For persistent or worsening knee pain, it’s best to consult a Pain Management Specialist (PMS) as your first point of care. Pain Management Specialists are trained to assess all underlying contributors to joint pain, including mechanical, inflammatory, neurological, and lifestyle factors. Globally, PMS are recognized as the first line of treatment for musculoskeletal pain because they take a holistic, non-surgical approach that includes:
By starting with a PMS, you’re more likely to receive comprehensive, root-cause-focused care which not only relieves pain but also improves function and reduces the likelihood of recurrence or surgery.
Yes, many cases of knee pain can be managed without surgery using physiotherapy, medications, lifestyle changes, and minimally invasive treatments like PRP, hyaluronic acid injections, or radiofrequency ablation.
Yes, knee braces can provide temporary relief, especially during acute pain episodes or when prolonged standing or strenuous activities (like lifting or long walking) are required. However, they should be used with caution and only for short durations as regular, prolonged use may cause your muscles to weaken over time and increase dependence on external support. Engaging in mild physical activity and muscle-strengthening exercises is crucial. It helps improve joint stability, posture, and long-term pain management.
A combination of weight management, anti-inflammatory diet, physiotherapy, and minimally invasive treatments such as regenerative therapy, RFA, and hyaluronic acid injections can effectively relieve osteoarthritis-related knee pain.
Yes, hormonal changes, weight gain, and altered biomechanics can cause knee pain during pregnancy. Supportive footwear, gentle exercises, and nutrition can help relieve symptoms.
Low-impact exercises such as swimming, cycling, leg raises, hamstring stretches, and wall sits help strengthen the muscles around the knee without straining the joint.
Foods rich in omega-3s (like flaxseeds and walnuts), antioxidants (berries, leafy greens), and anti-inflammatory compounds (turmeric, ginger) may help reduce knee joint inflammation.
PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) therapy involves injecting concentrated platelets from your blood into the knee joint to promote healing and reduce inflammation in tissues like cartilage, tendons, or ligaments.
Nighttime knee pain may be due to arthritis, inflammation, bursitis, or referred pain from the hip or lower back. It’s often a sign that underlying issues need medical evaluation.
Aspect
Nivaan
Traditional Treatment
Approach
Root-cause focused, long-term recovery
Symptom-based, short-term relief
Care Team
Multidisciplinary team of pain specialists, physiologists, psychologists, and nutritionists
Single-specialist with minimal collaboration
Treatment Style
Non-surgical, personalized care with custom care plans
Often surgery-led, one-size-fits-all protocols
Mind-Body Connection
Includes dietary, mindset, and lifestyle coaching
Includes dietary, mindset, and lifestyle coaching rarely addresses emotional or psychological factors
Follow-up and Support
Continuous progress tracking and adjustments
Limited or no ongoing support
The pain specialists are
dedicatedly trained to help
treat your pain – they understand, evaluate and treat your pain’s root cause. Our doctors are trained to improve the quality of your life through medications, rehabilitative therapy, pain relief
interventions, and counseling.
Understanding your pain is the first step towards getting rid of it. Our emotional counsellors will guide you and equip you with tools to manage your pain. They will support you to make meaningful changes in your daily lifestyle.
The right exercises can go a long way in a non surgical treatment plan. Our highly experienced physiotherapists help you get on the road to recovery with a plan that’s tailored to your pain diagnosis and your recovery goals.
Our care manager is here to hold your hand through your journey of pain relief. They are here to coordinate all your medical interactions and guide you towards a pain-free life
We now understand that nutrition and pain are much more deeply connected than previously thought. Hence, we have world-class nutritionists who can help you eat right, create the right diet, and guide you towards a pain-free life.
If you’re ready to explore non-surgical treatments for back pain, Nivaan is here to help. Our holistic approach focuses on relieving pain, restoring function, and improving your quality of life.
Don’t let lower back pain limit your life. Contact Nivaan to schedule an appointment and take the first step toward finding lasting relief. We’re here to help you get back to doing the things you love.
Pioneering Interventional Pain Management
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