Knee Physio Perth

Our knee physio Perth services cover everything from acute ligament sprains and meniscus tears to chronic arthritis, bursitis and tendinopathy, all delivered through hands-on manual therapy, targeted exercise programs and personalised education; backed by over 15 years of combined clinical experience and close collaboration with your GP and specialists, we’ll help you relieve pain, restore strength and get back to the activities you love.

Our Knee Physio Services

We offer a full suite of services tailored to your needs. Each treatment plan is designed to reduce pain, restore function and help you live your best life.

  • Sudden twists, tackles or missteps causing immediate pain, swelling and instability. Our acute care includes:
  • Comprehensive assessment of ligament integrity and joint stability
  • Manual therapy to manage swelling and pain
  • Guided early loading exercises to protect healing tissues and promote circulation
  • Often from a pivot or impact; presents with sharp pain, locking or giving way. Treatment involves:
  • Biomechanical analysis to determine tear stability
  • Tailored exercise to strengthen surrounding muscles
  • Hands-on therapy to restore mobility and reduce mechanical symptoms
  • Resulting from a fall or direct blow, leading to rapid swelling and tenderness. We provide:
  • Targeted soft tissue techniques to reduce inflammation
  • Joint mobilisation to maintain range
  • Home program education for icing and offloading strategies
  • Sudden overload (e.g. jumping sports) triggers tendon pain. Our approach includes:
  • Pain-relief modalities (ultrasound, taping)
  • Early isometric loading to reduce nociception
  • Progression to eccentric strengthening as tolerated

Early phase (0-6 weeks)

  • First 0–6 weeks post-arthroscopy or reconstruction. Focus on:
  • Pain and inflammation control with manual techniques and modalities
  • Safe range-of-motion exercises to prevent stiffness
  • Introduction to neuromuscular re‑education and gait retraining


Late Phase (6+ Weeks)

  • Progressive resistance training (squats, lunges, leg press) focusing on functional strength
  • Neuromuscular training: balance, perturbation drills and proprioceptive tasks
  • Sport- or activity-specific conditioning to rebuild endurance, agility and speed
  • Plyometric progressions and muscular power drills for high-level return-to-sport
  • Criteria-driven milestones for safe progression and discharge
Kade assessing knee stability for a female knee physio patient

Osteoarthritis & Rheumatoid Arthritis

Gradual cartilage wear or long-term inflammation causing stiffness and ache. Management includes:

  • Individualised strengthening and range maintenance programs
  • Low-impact aerobic conditioning (e.g. cycling, aquatic therapy)
  • Education on joint protection and pacing strategies

Repeated kneeling or friction leads to ongoing bursal irritation. Treatment covers:

  • Soft tissue massage and bursae-specific mobilisation
  • Strengthening of hip and knee stabilisers to offload the bursa
  • Activity modification guidance and protective padding advice

Persistent front-of-knee discomfort from poor tracking. Our treatment includes:

  • Detailed gait and movement analysis
  • Hip and quadriceps strengthening to improve tracking
  • Patellar taping or bracing as needed for symptom relief

Weeks-to-months of overuse leading to tendon degeneration. Our treatment includes:

  • Eccentric loading programmes targeting the patellar or quadriceps tendon
  • Soft tissue mobilisation to address adhesions
  • Load management education to prevent recurrence
Woman having her knee and hips manipulated as part of a shin splints physio appointment

Appointment Pricing

  • Initial appointment (senior) $140
  • Initial appointment (regular) $125
  • Subsequent appointment (senior) $115
  • Subsequent appointment (regular) $105
  • (Private health rebate applicable)

About Our Knee Physios

Our small, dedicated team in Perth specialises in knee care—from acute injuries and post-op rehab to chronic conditions like arthritis. We blend expert manual therapy with personalised exercise plans to get you moving better, sooner.

Why Choose Us?

  • Expertise: Clinicians holding advanced physiotherapy credentials (Curtin University & La Trobe University) with over 15 years of combined hands‑on practice, managing hundreds of knee cases each year
  • Collaborative Care: We work with your GP, specialists and you to set clear goals and track progress
  • Community Focus: Friendly, local service for all ages—from weekend warriors to seniors

Ready to start your recovery?
Physio and exercise lab team
Knee physio appointment in Perth

Common Causes of Knee Injuries and Conditions

Your knee is a complex joint handling loads up to five times your body weight. Injuries often stem from:
  • Sudden Trauma: Twisting falls, direct blows in contact sports or missteps on uneven ground can sprain ligaments and damage cartilage.
  • Overuse & Repetition: Running, jumping or frequent kneeling without adequate rest leads to tendonitis, bursitis and stress-related strains.
  • Biomechanical Imbalances: Weak hip or core muscles, flat feet or abnormal gait place uneven stress on the knee, contributing to patellofemoral pain and early arthritis.
  • Age‑Related Degeneration: Cartilage naturally wears down over time, increasing the risk of osteoarthritis, especially in those with previous knee injuries.
  • Poor Training Habits: Skipping warm‑ups, sudden increases in activity intensity or improper technique heightens injury risk for athletes and weekend warriors alike.

Recognising these common causes guides our targeted assessment and prevention strategies—helping you stay active and pain‑free.

Meet Your Physio for Knee Issues

James Fannon, physio in Perth

James Fannon

Director & Senior Physiotherapist
 
James started Physio and Exercise Lab after many years working in private practice; gaining experience in a vast range of sports and musculoskeletal injuries, post-operative orthopaedic rehabilitation, and hydrotherapy. He enjoys treating a variety of conditions coming through the clinic and is skilled in dealing with neck and; back pain, upper and lower limb injuries, vertigo and concussion, functional gym-based strengthening, as well as exercise/load prescription and training planning.

Kade Kelly, physio in Perth

Kade Kelly

Physiotherapist
 
Kade has joined Physio and Exercise Lab after working at Albany Health Campus as an inpatient and outpatient Physiotherapist. Whilst working in Albany Kade developed a passion for treating patients with musculoskeletal and neurological deficits and decided to move back to Perth to pursue a career in private practice physiotherapy. Through his time at Albany Health Campus, Kade gained experience dealing in pre and post-operative rehabilitation, and is skilled in treating neck and back, as well as upper and lower limb musculoskeletal conditions.

FAQs

Knee physiotherapy is a specialised rehabilitation programme designed for individuals experiencing knee pain or injury, such as ligament tears, meniscus damage, or general instability. The programme focuses on restoring strength, flexibility, and function to the knee, using a combination of targeted exercises, manual therapy techniques, and education on movement strategies to reduce pain, improve stability, and support long-term recovery.

We begin with a comprehensive evaluation, involving a detailed history and physical assessment. Following this, we provide a clear diagnosis for your condition. Hands-on treatment commences as part of our approach. You’ll also receive a comprehensive management plan, which includes prescribed exercises and guidance on the recommended frequency and duration of your treatment.

Your second consultation, scheduled shortly after the initial visit, offers an opportunity for feedback and questions. A streamlined re-evaluation is conducted through a physical assessment, allowing you to experience treatment benefits. Subsequent consultations are geared towards supporting your recovery and achieving optimal outcomes for your pain or injury.

Absolutely. Physiotherapy addresses the root cause of knee pain through targeted exercises, manual therapy and education, helping you reduce pain, improve function and prevent future issues.

See a physio if you experience persistent knee pain lasting more than a week, swelling, instability or difficulty with daily activities like walking or climbing stairs. Early intervention leads to better outcomes.

Yes. Our physios perform thorough assessments, including movement analysis, special tests and history-taking, to accurately diagnose the source of knee pain and develop an effective treatment plan.

We help with acute ligament injuries, meniscus tears, bursitis, tendonitis flares, early post-surgical rehab, arthritis, chronic bursitis, patellofemoral pain syndrome and chronic tendinopathy.

We recommend starting physiotherapy within 1–3 days post-arthroscopy, focusing on pain control, gentle range-of-motion and gradual strengthening to prevent stiffness and promote healing.

Yes. Physiotherapy is essential after knee replacement to restore range of motion, strengthen surrounding muscles and ensure proper joint function. Our post-operative plan starts immediately with gentle exercises and progresses to tailored strengthening.

Typically, clients engage in formal physiotherapy for 6–12 weeks post-surgery. Duration varies based on individual goals, pre-surgical fitness and surgical complexity. Ongoing home exercise is recommended to maintain gains.

Yes. Physiotherapy reduces arthritis symptoms by improving joint mobility, strengthening muscles around the knee and teaching pain-management strategies, leading to better function and quality of life.

There are no cancellation fees or 24-hour notice requirements. Just give us a call if you can’t make it to your appointment.

A doctor’s referral is typically not required to visit us unless your condition is associated with Workers Compensation, Motor Vehicle Injury, Veterans Affairs, or a Medicare Enhanced Primary Care plan. In most cases, you can directly schedule an appointment as all our physiotherapists are primary contact practitioners, capable of providing comprehensive care without the need for a referral.

To access physiotherapy services through Medicare, you must have a referral from your GP under the Chronic Disease Management Plan, often referred to as an Enhanced Primary Care Plan (EPC). This plan is required for Medicare coverage when seeing a physiotherapist.

For more information on eligibility and how to claim, read our blog explaining how medicare can be used for physio.

As a person seeking healthcare in WA, you have the right to access, safety, respect, partnership, information, privacy, and the ability to provide feedback. For more in-depth information relating to your rights, review the Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights.

We prioritise your privacy. Our strict privacy policy ensures the confidentiality of your personal information, using it solely for your healthcare. If you have any privacy concerns or questions, please reach out, and we’ll address them promptly. Your trust is crucial to us.

Review our privacy policy here.

Have a Question?

If you have any questions relating to our services or any feedback for our team, please get in touch with us via phone, email, or contact form.

Physio and Exercise Lab