Chiropractor for Knee Pain in Milwaukee, WI

Knee pain on the stairs, on a run, or getting out of a chair? Let’s look for what’s behind it.

Trusted, personal care in neighborhood clinics throughout Greater Milwaukee.

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Understanding knee pain

What is knee pain?

Knee pain is pain in or around your knee, the joint where your thigh bone meets your shin bone. It can start in the kneecap, the cartilage and ligaments inside the joint, or the tendons and muscles around it. Cleveland Clinic calls knee pain an extremely common symptom.4

Some knee pain starts with an injury, like a twist or a fall. Some builds slowly from overuse, like runner’s knee or IT band pain. Arthritis is another common cause.3

Your knees also work with your hips and feet. Mayo Clinic notes that hip or foot pain can change the way you walk, which can strain your knee.3 That’s why a good exam looks above and below the knee, too.

53.2 million

U.S. adults had arthritis diagnosed by a doctor in 2019–20211

Knees

were the joint most often affected by osteoarthritis worldwide in 20202

74.9%

projected rise in knee osteoarthritis cases worldwide from 2020 to 20502

Symptoms

Knee pain symptoms: what you may notice

Knee pain can be a dull ache or a sharp jab. It often comes with other signs that help point to the cause.3

  • Pain

    Aching or sharp pain

    Around the kneecap, along either side, or behind the knee.

  • Stairs

    Pain on stairs

    Climbing or going down stairs, squatting, or kneeling makes it worse.5

  • Sitting

    Pain after sitting

    The front of your knee aches when you stand up after sitting with bent knees.5

  • Swelling

    Swelling and stiffness

    Your knee looks puffy or feels tight and hard to bend.3

  • Sounds

    Popping or crunching

    Noises when you bend or straighten your knee.3

  • Stability

    Weakness or giving way

    Your knee feels weak or unsteady under you.3

  • Motion

    Trouble straightening

    You can’t fully straighten your knee.3

  • Running

    Pain that builds on a run

    Aching or burning on the outside of the knee that gets sharper as you go.6

  • Warmth

    Redness and warmth

    The knee feels warm to the touch. With a fever, get care right away.3

  • Behind

    Tightness behind the knee

    A tight feeling or bulge behind the knee, sometimes from a fluid-filled cyst.4

Pain that runs from your lower back or buttock down past your knee may start in your back. See sciatica.

When to seek medical care first

Most knee pain isn’t an emergency. But some signs point to a broken bone, an infection, or a blood clot. Those need medical care before chiropractic care.3,4,7

Get medical care right away if:

  • You can’t put weight on your knee3
  • Your knee or leg looks deformed or out of place, or you think a bone is broken3,4
  • Your knee is hot, red, and swollen, and you have a fever3
  • Your calf is swollen, painful, warm, or red. It may be a blood clot.7
  • You hurt your knee in a fall or crash and can’t move it4

Call 911 for leg swelling with:

  • Sudden shortness of breath, or chest pain that’s worse when you breathe in7

See a provider soon if your knee:

  • Is very swollen, or you can’t fully bend or straighten it3
  • Hurts for more than a few days or gets in the way of daily life4
Causes

What causes knee pain?

Your knees carry you through every step, squat, and stair. Common causes include:3

Osteoarthritis Runner’s knee IT band syndrome Tendinitis Bursitis Meniscus tears Ligament injuries Hip or foot pain that changes how you walk

Knee pain after a crash? See car accident injuries. Pain in your hip or foot too? See hip pain and foot pain.

What can raise your risk

Extra weight

Extra body weight adds stress to your knee joints, even when you’re just walking or climbing stairs.3

Weak or tight muscles

Weak thigh muscles or tight muscles around the knee leave the joint less supported.3,5

Doing too much, too soon

Ramping up running, jumping, or squatting quickly is a common trigger for runner’s knee.5

Age and past injuries

Arthritis becomes more common with age, and a past knee injury raises your risk of knee trouble later.1,3

Hurt your knee on the job? We accept workers’ compensation.

Where it hurts

Knee pain by where it hurts

Where you feel knee pain is one of the best clues to what’s behind it. Use this guide as a starting point, not a diagnosis.4

Knee pain going up stairs often points to the front of the knee, where the kneecap glides.5 Your exam helps sort out the rest.

Where it hurtsCommon causesWhat you may notice
Front of the kneeRunner’s knee (patellofemoral pain), arthritis, bursitis4A dull ache around the kneecap. Often worse on stairs, when squatting, or after sitting.5
Inside of the kneeArthritis, or a sprain or tear of the ligament on the inner side (MCL)4Pain along the inner edge of the knee.
Outside of the kneeIT band syndrome, a sprain or tear of the outer ligament (LCL), meniscus injuries, arthritis4Aching or burning on the outer knee, often building as you run or cycle.6
Back of the kneeA fluid-filled cyst (Baker’s cyst), tendon or ligament injuries, arthritis, tight leg muscles4Tightness or a bulge behind the knee. Pain with calf swelling needs prompt care.7
Whole kneeOsteoarthritis and other types of arthritis, or an injury inside the joint3Swelling, stiffness, popping or crunching, and trouble straightening the knee.3
Your care

How chiropractic care helps knee pain

Your chiropractor for knee pain starts by listening: when it started, what makes it worse, and what you want to get back to. Then your doctor checks your knee, hips, and feet, since they work together. X-rays are taken only if your exam calls for them.

If anything needs medical care first, your doctor will tell you and help you get it. Your doctor then explains what they found and talks through care options with you. You decide what’s right for you.

Care is natural and drug-free, designed around your knee, your medical history, your daily life, and your goals.

What the research says about knee arthritis

Leading U.S. arthritis guidelines strongly recommend exercise for knee arthritis.8 In one trial, physical therapy that paired gentle joint movement with exercise led to less pain and disability at one year than a steroid shot.9

What the research says about runner’s knee

Care guidelines recommend exercises that strengthen both the hip and the knee. They advise against hands-on care on its own, so your doctor pairs it with exercise.10

What your care may include

Good to know

If you don’t want an adjustment

Say so, and your doctor won’t adjust you. Gentle joint movement, muscle work, and exercise are other options. You choose your care.

Hands-on

Chiropractic adjustments

Gentle, targeted adjustments help restore motion to stiff joints in the knee, hip, ankle, or lower back.

Gentle option

Gentle joint movement

Slow, controlled movements help a stiff knee bend and straighten more easily.

Rehab

Hip and knee strengthening

Guided exercises build the thigh and hip muscles that support your knee on stairs, runs, and squats.

Select clinics

Physical therapy

Available at our Menomonee Falls, Waukesha, and West Allis North clinics.

Select clinics

Massage therapy

Available at our Hales Corners and Oconomowoc clinics.

Feet and shoes

Foot and shoe check

Your doctor looks at how your feet land and how your shoes wear. Every clinic offers a free foot scan.

Every patient

A plan you understand

Your doctor explains what they found in plain language, so you know what’s going on and what you can do between visits.

Recovery

How long does knee pain take to heal?

It depends on the cause. Most people need a month or two to recover from runner’s knee.5 Most people with IT band syndrome improve within four to eight weeks of nonsurgical care.6

Arthritis is a long-term condition, but it doesn’t have to keep you on the couch. Exercise is strongly recommended to help you stay active.8 See a provider if your pain lasts more than a few days or gets in the way of daily life.4

50–90%

of people with IT band syndrome improve after about four to eight weeks of nonsurgical care.6

Free foot scan

See how your feet carry you

Your knees sit above your feet, so your doctor may look at how your feet land when you walk, stand, or run.

A quick digital Foot Levelers scan shows your arches and how your weight is spread across each foot. There’s no obligation to buy orthotics. Your doctor walks you through what the scan shows.

Free at every clinic
Free foot scan

Available at all 20+ clinics. Custom orthotics are made by Foot Levelers if you and your doctor decide they’re a fit.

Request a free foot scan About custom orthotics
Insurance and your first visit

Care that fits your coverage

We’re in-network with most insurance plans, including Medicare, and our team can check your benefits before you come in. No insurance? New patients can start with the $29 first visit.

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  • Consultation
  • Exam
  • X-rays if needed
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In-network with most insurance companies
  • Most commercial plans
  • Medicare
  • Auto accident claims
  • Workers’ compensation
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Your first visit

What to expect at your first visit

  1. Share your story

    Your doctor asks when the pain started, what makes it better or worse, your daily activities, and your goals.

  2. Get a thorough exam

    Your doctor checks how your knees, hips, and feet move, where it’s tender, and the strength and steadiness of your legs. X-rays are taken if needed.

  3. Talk through your options

    Your doctor explains what they found and walks you through care options. You decide what's right for you.

  4. Begin care at your next visit

    Treatment begins at visit two. In acute cases, your doctor may decide same-day treatment is appropriate.

You'll see the same doctor as your care continues, so the person treating you knows your history and your progress.

Your care team

Meet Milwaukee chiropractors who treat knee pain

Our chiropractors care for knee pain every week. These doctors bring backgrounds that fit patients with knee pain.

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[Doctor name], DC

DC · [Clinic]
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[One or two sentences on this doctor’s background with knee pain.]

More about Dr. [Name]

[Doctor name], DC

DC · [Clinic]
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[One or two sentences on this doctor’s background with knee pain.]

More about Dr. [Name]
Meet your care team
Why Milwaukee trusts us

Trusted by Greater Milwaukee since 1982

Personal care in neighborhood clinics, with more than 1,400 five-star Google reviews from real patients.

400,000+
Patients cared for
1,400+
Five-star Google reviews
20+
Neighborhood clinics
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Serving Greater Milwaukee since
  • Best of MilwaukeeRecognized 13 years
  • Top Choice AwardsRecognized 7 years
  • UWM AthleticsOfficial chiropractors since 2019

Winners and finalists, including our doctors and practices before they joined us. See every award, with sources

Common questions

Frequently asked questions about knee pain

Many patients find chiropractic care helps them move more comfortably. Your doctor checks your knee, hips, and feet to look for what’s behind your pain. Care often pairs hands-on care with exercise, since guidelines strongly recommend exercise for knee arthritis and hip and knee strengthening for runner’s knee.

Pain on stairs often starts at the front of the knee, where the kneecap glides over the thigh bone. Runner’s knee is a common cause, and arthritis can be too. Weak thigh muscles and doing too much too soon can play a part.

Runner’s knee, or patellofemoral pain syndrome, is a dull ache around or behind the kneecap. It’s often worse on stairs, when squatting, or after sitting. Despite the name, you don’t have to be a runner to get it.

IT band syndrome is a common cause, especially in runners and cyclists. The band of tissue that runs down the outside of your thigh gets irritated near the knee. Ligament and meniscus injuries and arthritis can also cause outer knee pain.

Yes. Leading U.S. arthritis guidelines strongly recommend exercise for knee arthritis. They also strongly recommend weight loss for people who are overweight, and tai chi. Your doctor can help you find exercises that feel manageable.

They can play a part. Foot or hip pain can change the way you walk, which can strain your knee. Your doctor may look at how your feet land, and every clinic offers a free foot scan.

Get medical care right away if you can’t put weight on your knee, it looks deformed, or it’s hot, red, and swollen with a fever. Calf swelling and pain may be a blood clot. Call 911 if you also have sudden shortness of breath or chest pain.

It depends on the cause. Most people recover from runner’s knee in a month or two. Most people with IT band syndrome improve within four to eight weeks of nonsurgical care. Arthritis is long-term, but exercise can help you stay active.

Not always. Your doctor decides based on your history, your symptoms, and your exam. When needed, X-rays are taken right in the clinic. If you already had imaging elsewhere, bring the report.

Tell your doctor and they won’t adjust you. Gentle joint movement, muscle work, and exercise are other ways to care for knee pain. Your doctor explains the options, and you decide what’s right for you.

Often, yes. Same-day appointments are available at many of our clinics, depending on the day and each clinic’s hours. Call your nearest clinic or request an appointment online to check today’s openings. Your first visit is for your consultation and exam, and treatment typically begins at your next visit.

Usually not. Your first visit is for listening, a full exam, and X-rays if needed. Treatment begins at visit two. In acute cases, your doctor may decide same-day treatment is appropriate.

No referral is needed. Some insurance plans may require one for full benefits. Our team checks your plan when you verify your insurance and lets you know before your visit.

Eligible new patients can request a first visit for $29, including a consultation, an exam, and X-rays if needed. The offer requires requesting an appointment online and a visit within five business days. Medicare and Medicaid patients aren’t eligible.

Chiropractic Company has 20+ neighborhood clinics across Greater Milwaukee, and every one offers chiropractic care for knee pain. Find a location close to your home or work.
Milwaukee-area chiropractic clinics near you

Find knee pain care near you: 20+ locations

Every clinic offers chiropractic care for knee pain, close to home or work.

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Keep reading
Article

IT Band Pain: Why the Outside of Your Knee Hurts

IT band pain is an ache or burn on the outside of the knee that builds as you run or cycle.

Article

Runner’s Knee: Symptoms, Causes, and Recovery

Runner’s knee causes a dull ache around the kneecap on stairs, squats, or after sitting.

Related conditions

Hip painFoot pain and plantar fasciitisSciaticaLower back painCar accident injuries

Related services

Patient resources

Sources

  1. Fallon EA, Boring MA, Foster AL, et al. Prevalence of diagnosed arthritis — United States, 2019–2021. MMWR Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. 2023;72(41):1101–1107.
  2. GBD 2021 Osteoarthritis Collaborators. Global, regional, and national burden of osteoarthritis, 1990–2020 and projections to 2050: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. The Lancet Rheumatology. 2023;5(9):e508–e522.
  3. Mayo Clinic. Knee pain: Symptoms and causes.
  4. Cleveland Clinic. Knee pain.
  5. Cleveland Clinic. Patellofemoral pain syndrome (runner’s knee).
  6. Cleveland Clinic. Iliotibial band syndrome.
  7. Mayo Clinic. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT): Symptoms and causes.
  8. Kolasinski SL, Neogi T, Hochberg MC, et al. 2019 American College of Rheumatology/Arthritis Foundation guideline for the management of osteoarthritis of the hand, hip, and knee. Arthritis & Rheumatology. 2020;72(2):220–233.
  9. Deyle GD, Allen CS, Allison SC, et al. Physical therapy versus glucocorticoid injection for osteoarthritis of the knee. New England Journal of Medicine. 2020;382(15):1420–1429.
  10. Willy RW, Hoglund LT, Barton CJ, et al. Patellofemoral pain: clinical practice guidelines linked to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health from the Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy of the American Physical Therapy Association. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. 2019;49(9).
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