knee complaints

Knee Pain Treatment in Amsterdam – Causes and Conditions

Knee pain is a common problem and can affect daily activities, work and sports. For international patients living or working in Amsterdam, knee pain can be especially frustrating when access to clear, English-speaking care is important.

At Vondelfysio, we regularly treat international and expat patients with knee pain. Knee symptoms may start suddenly after an injury, or develop gradually over time without a clear cause. Below you’ll find an overview of the most common knee conditions we see in our clinics.
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Causes of knee-complaints

Knee pain can have many different causes. It may occur suddenly after an injury such as a fall, twist or sports accident, or develop gradually due to overuse and repetitive strain. In other cases, knee complaints are related to movement patterns, muscle imbalances, alignment issues or underlying conditions such as osteoarthritis. Sometimes the pain felt in the knee does not originate from the knee itself, but is referred from the hip or lower back. A proper assessment is essential to identify the exact cause and determine the most effective treatment.

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Common Causes of Knee Pain

Acute Knee Injuries and Sports Trauma

Acute knee injuries occur after a sudden and identifiable incident, such as during sports, a misstep or a fall.

Common examples include:

  • Ligament injuries (e.g. ACL tears) – often caused by twisting or direct impact.
  • Meniscus tears – usually the result of rotation while the foot is fixed.
  • Knee fractures – most commonly involving the kneecap.
  • Patellar dislocation – when the kneecap moves out of its normal position.

These injuries typically cause immediate pain, swelling, instability and difficulty walking or bearing weight.

Overuse and Repetitive Knee Strain

Overuse-related knee pain develops gradually due to repeated loading of the knee structures.

Common overuse conditions include:

  • Tendinopathy, such as jumper’s knee.
  • Bursitis – inflammation of a cushioning sac around the knee.
  • Iliotibial (IT) band syndrome – pain on the outer side of the knee.
  • Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) – pain around or behind the kneecap.

These complaints are frequently seen in runners, cyclists, gym users and people with repetitive movements at work.

Biomechanical and Alignment-Related Knee Pain

In many cases, knee pain is influenced by the way the body moves or how the legs are aligned, leading to increased stress on the knee joint over time.

Examples include:

  • Alignment issues, such as knock-knees or bow-legs.
  • Patellar tracking problems, where the kneecap does not glide smoothly.
  • Muscle imbalances, for example weak hip or core muscles.
  • Foot mechanics, such as flat feet or high arches affecting load distribution.

Correcting these movement patterns is often essential for long-term relief of knee pain.

Degenerative and Medical Knee Conditions

Some knee complaints are related to joint degeneration or underlying medical conditions.

Common examples include:

  • Knee osteoarthritis – gradual wear of joint cartilage.
  • Rheumatoid arthritis – an inflammatory joint condition.
  • Gout or joint infection – caused by crystal deposits or infection inside the joint.

Management often involves a combination of medical care and structured physiotherapy.

Referred Pain Felt in the Knee

Not all knee pain originates from the knee itself. In some cases, pain is referred from another area.

A common example:

  • Pain originating from the hip or lower back, but mainly felt in the knee.

A thorough physiotherapy assessment is essential to identify the true source of the symptoms.

Acute Knee Injuries and Sports Trauma

Acute knee injuries occur after a sudden and identifiable incident, such as during sports, a misstep or a fall.

Common examples include:

  • Ligament injuries (e.g. ACL tears) – often caused by twisting or direct impact.
  • Meniscus tears – usually the result of rotation while the foot is fixed.
  • Knee fractures – most commonly involving the kneecap.
  • Patellar dislocation – when the kneecap moves out of its normal position.

These injuries typically cause immediate pain, swelling, instability and difficulty walking or bearing weight.

Overuse and Repetitive Knee Strain

Overuse-related knee pain develops gradually due to repeated loading of the knee structures.

Common overuse conditions include:

  • Tendinopathy, such as jumper’s knee.
  • Bursitis – inflammation of a cushioning sac around the knee.
  • Iliotibial (IT) band syndrome – pain on the outer side of the knee.
  • Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) – pain around or behind the kneecap.

These complaints are frequently seen in runners, cyclists, gym users and people with repetitive movements at work.

Biomechanical and Alignment-Related Knee Pain

In many cases, knee pain is influenced by the way the body moves or how the legs are aligned, leading to increased stress on the knee joint over time.

Examples include:

  • Alignment issues, such as knock-knees or bow-legs.
  • Patellar tracking problems, where the kneecap does not glide smoothly.
  • Muscle imbalances, for example weak hip or core muscles.
  • Foot mechanics, such as flat feet or high arches affecting load distribution.

Correcting these movement patterns is often essential for long-term relief of knee pain.

Degenerative and Medical Knee Conditions

Some knee complaints are related to joint degeneration or underlying medical conditions.

Common examples include:

  • Knee osteoarthritis – gradual wear of joint cartilage.
  • Rheumatoid arthritis – an inflammatory joint condition.
  • Gout or joint infection – caused by crystal deposits or infection inside the joint.

Management often involves a combination of medical care and structured physiotherapy.

Referred Pain Felt in the Knee

Not all knee pain originates from the knee itself. In some cases, pain is referred from another area.

A common example:

  • Pain originating from the hip or lower back, but mainly felt in the knee.

A thorough physiotherapy assessment is essential to identify the true source of the symptoms.

when to See a Physiotherapist for Knee Paine

You should consider physiotherapy if:

  • Knee pain lasts more than a few days
  • There is swelling, locking, instability or giving way
  • You cannot fully bend or straighten the knee
  • Walking, stair climbing or sports become painful or limited

Early assessment and a personalised physiotherapy treatment plan can help reduce pain, restore movement and prevent knee problems from becoming long-term.

Knee Physiotherapy for International Patients in Amsterdam

Vondelfysio offers English-speaking physiotherapy in Amsterdam for international and expat patients. We focus on clear communication, thorough assessment and evidence-based treatment tailored to your goals — whether that’s returning to sport, staying active or moving pain-free in daily life.

Book an appointment or contact us to discuss your knee complaints.