Pain when climbing or coming down stairs is one of the most common knee complaints we hear about. Stairs load the knee in a demanding way, so they often reveal a problem before flat walking does.
One frequent cause is how the kneecap moves. If the muscles around the hip and thigh are not balanced, the kneecap can track poorly and become irritated, producing pain at the front of the knee on stairs.
Other causes include early joint wear, a previous injury, or simply weakness in the muscles that support and control the knee. Coming down stairs is often more painful than going up, because it places higher load on the knee.
The encouraging news is that most stair-related knee pain responds very well to the right exercise. Strengthening the hip and thigh muscles, improving control and easing any stiffness usually makes a real difference.
If knee pain on stairs is becoming a regular part of your day, an assessment can identify exactly what is driving it and give you a targeted plan to get you moving comfortably again.
