Kneecap pain (runner's knee)
Aching around the front of the kneecap with stairs, squatting and running.
By Andrew Ellis, AHPRA registered physiotherapist · Reviewed July 2026
What it is
Patellofemoral pain, often called runner's knee, is pain around or behind the kneecap. It comes from how the kneecap loads and moves against the thigh bone, and it is common with running, stairs and squatting, especially after a change in activity.
Signs and symptoms
Everyone is different, but these are common with kneecap pain (runner's knee). You may have some and not others.
How physiotherapy helps
This usually settles well with the right program. We assess the knee, hip and how you move, settle the pain, then build strength through the hip and thigh so the kneecap loads better. We adjust your running or training so it can recover.
- Knee and hip assessment
- Hands on therapy
- Hip and thigh strengthening
- Training load advice
How we treat it
The right mix depends on your assessment. These are the services we most often draw on for this.
Exercise and rehabilitation
Tailored programs to rebuild mobility, strength and confidence in the movements that matter to you.
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Sports injury physiotherapy
Physiotherapy to treat your sports injury and get you back to training and competing, with the strength and control to stay there.
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Soft tissue release
Skilled hands on work through muscles, tendons and ligaments to ease tension and restore flexibility.
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Trigger point dry needling
Fine needles into trigger points to release muscle tension and ease referred pain. A core focus at PACT.
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What you pay, with or without cover
Every appointment is a full, unhurried session with the time to work through complex, persistent problems. The fee is $165 for an initial visit and $142 for a follow up, and if you have Medicare, private health extras or an accepted claim, here is what you pay.
Paying privately
No referral or paperwork needed. Every visit is a full, unhurried session with the time it needs.
With a Medicare plan
A GP Chronic Disease Management referral rebates $61.80 on every visit, up to 5 a year.
With private health extras
Claim on the spot through HICAPS. The gap depends on your fund and level of cover. See all health funds
Workers comp & CTP
Accepted workers compensation and CTP claims are billed straight to your insurer, and we handle the paperwork.
Every bar is drawn to the same scale, from $0 to the standard fee. Private health gaps vary with your fund and your level of extras cover.
Other problems we help with
Pain rarely sits in one neat box. These are commonly linked, and we treat them all.
Good to know before you book
Do I need to stop running?
How much will it cost?
Do I need a referral?
Can it be managed by telehealth?
Read more on this
Plain English articles from our physiotherapist, written to answer the questions we get asked most.
Sources and further reading
Written and reviewed by Andrew Ellis, AHPRA registered physiotherapist. Last reviewed July 2026.
This page is general information about kneecap pain (runner's knee), not a diagnosis or a substitute for an assessment. If you are concerned about your symptoms, book an appointment or see your GP.
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Same day appointments often available at our Miranda clinic, or by telehealth across Australia.