Knee pain is one of the most common reasons people look for a knee physio in Scarborough, and three conditions often top the list: meniscus tears, ACL injuries, and patellofemoral pain. Each of these injuries affects your knee differently, and understanding the key differences can help you determine when you need medical attention.

We offer a range of targeted treatment options through our knee physiotherapy service in Scarborough—whether you require physio for meniscus tears, ACL injuries, or patellofemoral pain—we’ll help you recover and get back on track.

What are Meniscus Tears?

The meniscus is a C-shaped piece of cartilage that cushions your knee joint, and a tear usually occurs when you twist suddenly on a bent knee, often when you’re playing a sport. Symptoms include swelling, pain when twisting, and sometimes a catching or locking sensation in the joint.
Visiting a physio for meniscus tears helps reduce the swelling, restore movement, and strengthen the surrounding muscles. Without proper care, meniscus tears can lead to long-term stiffness and the development of arthritis.

What are ACL Injuries?

The ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) is one of the main ligaments stabilising the knee and is often injured during sudden stops, changes of direction, or awkward landings, especially in sports like football, basketball, or netball. A popping sound at the time of injury is common, followed by immediate swelling and instability.
Visiting a physio for ACL injuries is vital, whether surgery is needed or not. Some partial tears can be managed with rehab alone, while complete tears or unstable knees may need surgery first. In both cases, rehabilitation restores strength, stability, and confidence.

What is Patellofemoral Pain?

Patellofemoral pain refers to pain around the kneecap, often caused by muscle imbalances, overuse, or alignment issues. It can affect anyone, but is especially common in runners, cyclists, and people who spend long hours sitting. Pain usually worsens when climbing stairs, squatting, or sitting for long periods.

Visiting a physio for patellofemoral pain can help you correct any muscle imbalances, improve the strength in your hips and thighs and relieve any strain on your kneecap. Unlike ligament or cartilage injuries, this condition doesn’t involve a tear but rather irritation and overload of the joint.

Comparison of Knee Conditions

Feature

Meniscus Tear

ACL Injury

Patellofemoral Pain

Feature

Cause

Meniscus Tear

Twisting on a bent knee

ACL Injury

Sudden stop or change in direction

Patellofemoral Pain

Muscle imbalance, overuse, or alignment

Feature

Key Symptoms

Meniscus Tear

Swelling, joing pain, catching/locking

ACL Injury

Popping sound, rapid swelling, instability

Patellofemoral Pain

Aching kneecap, worse with stairs or sitting

Feature

Common Activities

Meniscus Tear

Football, tennis, squats

ACL Injury

Football, basketball, netball

Patellofemoral Pain

Running, cycling, and long periods of sitting

Feature

Physio Focus

Meniscus Tear

Reduce swelling, restore motion, and strengthen the knee

ACL Injury

Strength, stability, balance, return to sport

Patellofemoral Pain

Correct imbalance, improve strength, relieve pain

Feature

Quick Clue

Meniscus Tear

Locking or catching during movement

ACL Injury

Popping sound at injury with sudden swelling

Patellofemoral Pain

Dull ache at the knee cap that builds over time

Getting Back on Track With Knee Physio in Scarborough

Knee conditions rarely improve with rest alone, as each type of injury or pain pattern requires a specific management approach. Physio for meniscus tears reduces stiffness and strengthens the joint, physio for ACL injuries restores stability and prevents further ligament damage, and physio for patellofemoral pain eases pressure on the kneecap to help you move more comfortably.

Ignoring the problem or pushing through the pain often makes things worse – the right treatment plan, however, helps you recover safely and get back to the activities you enjoy.

Taking Action For Healthier Knees

Understanding the differences between meniscus tears, ACL injuries, and patellofemoral pain is the first step, and working with our expert knee physio in Scarborough is the next. Whether you need targeted physio for meniscus tears, physio for ACL injuries, or physio for patellofemoral pain, we’ll help you move better, recover stronger, and protect your knees for the future.