Joint pain of the knee, hip or lower limb

Pain affecting the knee, hip, or lower limb joints is a common reason for GP consultation. These joints are responsible for weight bearing and movement, so pain can significantly affect walking, exercise, and daily activities.

This page explains common causes of lower limb joint pain, how it is assessed in general practice, and when further review is needed.

These articles are intended as educational sources, not diagnostic nor taking place of a proper medical assessment. If you need help with ongoing joint concerns, please book a GP appointment.

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How musculoskeletal lower limb joint pain commonly presents

Musculoskeletal pain affecting the knee, hip, or lower limb may present as:

Pain during walking, standing, or climbing stairs
Stiffness after rest or first thing in the morning
Swelling around the joint
Pain that worsens with activity or load
Reduced range of movement
Limping or altered walking pattern

Symptoms may develop gradually or after injury or overuse.

Seek urgent medical advice if you develop:

Severe pain following trauma
Inability to weight bear
Hot, swollen joint with fever
Rapidly worsening swelling or redness

Common causes of knee and hip pain

Mechanical or load related pain

Often related to muscle weakness, altered movement patterns, or increased activity. Pain usually worsens with use and improves with rest.

Osteoarthritis

A common cause of knee and hip pain, particularly with age. Often causes stiffness, reduced movement, and activity related pain.

What is osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. It happens when a joint gradually becomes less resilient over time, which can lead to pain, stiffness, and reduced movement.

It is not simply “wear and tear”. Osteoarthritis involves changes across the whole joint, including cartilage, bone, ligaments, and surrounding muscles. Symptoms often fluctuate, with periods of flare ups and improvement.

Most people can manage osteoarthritis well with a structured plan that focuses on movement, strengthening, weight management where relevant, and appropriate pain relief. A GP can help assess symptoms, rule out other causes, and advise on next steps.

Ligament or meniscal injury

May follow twisting or impact injuries, especially in the knee.

Tendon related pain

Pain from tendons around the knee or hip, often linked to overuse or sudden increases in activity.

Referred pain

Hip or knee pain may sometimes originate from the lower back. Hip pain can also originate from the lower abdomen

How a GP assesses lower limb joint pain

GP assessment focuses on understanding the cause and excluding serious conditions. This usually includes:

Onset and duration of pain
History of injury or trauma
Swelling, locking, or instability
Impact on walking and daily activities
Presence of systemic symptoms

Initial assessment can often be done safely via remote consultation.

Investigations

Most people with knee or hip pain do not need tests initially.

Investigations such as imaging or blood tests may be considered if:

Pain is persistent or worsening
There is significant swelling or instability
Inflammatory joint disease is suspected
Red flag symptoms are present

Imaging is usually guided by clinical findings.

Self-care and early management

Early management focuses on supporting joint function:

Keeping active within comfort
Avoiding sudden increases in load or activity
Strengthening muscles around the joint
Heat or cold packs for symptom relief
Appropriate footwear and pacing

Complete rest is rarely helpful for joint pain.

Medical treatments a GP may recommend

Depending on symptoms, a GP may recommend:

Short term pain relief
Advice on activity modification
Referral for physiotherapy
Further investigation or referral if symptoms persist

Treatment is guided by function and progression rather than scans alone.

Expert physio insights by AccessGP Lead Physiotherapist, Sonali Talwar

Sonali is an experienced physiotherapist working with AccessGP. In her clinical practice, knee and hip pain are often related to how load is managed through the joint rather than structural damage alone.

Weakness in surrounding muscles, reduced joint control, or sudden changes in activity can place excessive strain on the knee or hip. Physiotherapy focuses on strengthening, improving movement patterns, and gradually increasing load so patients can return to walking, exercise, and daily activities with confidence.