Knee Pain Treatment Northcote

Dedicated care for people of all ages with knee pain.

When Knee Pain Strikes

If you’ve ever dislocated your knee, heard a ‘pop’ when you landed awkwardly, or experienced osteoarthritis, you’ll know the discomfort and frustration knee pain can bring. As a podiatrist, we see a wide range of foot, ankle, and leg conditions, and knee pain is a fairly common one.

At Ankle Foot and Orthotic Centre, we offer services that may help, such as orthotics, in Northcote. While you may think of orthotics as being for foot conditions, the truth is that our bodies are connected and support for your feet may be beneficial for leg pain, knee pain, and even hip pain.

What Causes Knee Pain?

From the front to the back, the knee is a complex joint. Causes of knee pain include:

Ligament tears, such as ACL or MCL tears
Strains and sprains
Kneecap dislocation
Osteoarthritis
Inflammatory arthritis
Tendonitis
Bursitis
Patellofemoral pain syndrome (‘Runner’s knee’)
Iliotibial band syndrome
Fractures
Gout

What are the Symptoms of Knee Pain?

Certain factors are though to increase the risk for the development of Achilles Pain including:

The knee locking up
Clicking or other noises coming from the knee
Bruising
Swelling
Heat or redness
Trouble bending or straightening the knee
The knee ‘giving way’
Inability to bear weight on the affected leg

Treatment Options for Knee Pain

Depending on the cause of your knee pain and how severe it is, we may recommend:

1. Custom Orthotics

Foot orthotics aim to change the way you walk, such as if you have flat feet, high arches, or feet that turn inwards when you take a step. By modifying how you walk, orthotics may reduce the pressure on your feet up towards your knee and hip and potentially provide relief from pain.

2. Shockwave Therapy

Shockwave therapy for knee pain is designed to deliver pulses of mechanical energy to the area in an effort to reduce pain. Sometimes this may have an instant effect, but it usually takes several sessions over a couple of weeks for most people.

3. Fracture Management

If you’ve fractured your knee, it may worsen if left untreated. We aim to manage fractures with non-surgical treatment options such as moon boots, casts, or strapping and taping wherever possible. If your fracture is more severe, we may refer you to one of our trusted orthopaedic surgeons in an effort to ensure you receive the most appropriate care.

4. General Podiatry

Depending on the cause of your knee pain and if you have any other conditions, this may involve assessment and management of heel and arch pain, lower back pain, shin pain, bunions, or other aspects affecting your foot and lower limb health.

Ready to see how our podiatrists aim to help manage your pain?

Why Ankle Foot and Orthotic Centre?

Custom Orthotics Made In-Clinic

Founder and senior podiatrist Geoff Dowling not only developed Modulign, a fully customisable orthotic system, but also makes your orthotics right here in the clinic.

Trusted Team

Our team of podiatrists is experienced and educated, with years of working with children and adults of all ages on their foot, ankle, and lower limb health.

Personalised Care

No matter what’s brought you to us, we aim to get to the bottom of it and design a treatment plan tailored to you.

Frequently Asked Questions About Knee Pain

Who are your typical clients?

We see people of all ages and abilities. From young children to active athletes and older adults, we provide care for feet, ankles, knees, and legs all across Melbourne’s inner north.

How do you know what is causing my knee pain?

At Ankle Foot and Orthotic Centre, we don’t assume knee pain is one-size-fits-all. We talk to you to hear about your symptoms and how they affect you, and then perform assessments such as a biomechanical assessment in an effort to determine the cause of your pain. We may also use ultrasound imaging if we believe this may help us come to an answer for you.

Is anybody more at risk of knee pain?

Anybody has the potential to develop knee pain, but you may be more at risk if you engage in sports with running or jumping, are overweight, lack muscle strength or flexibility, or have injured your knee before.

Can you prevent knee pain?

While it’s not possible to guarantee you’ll never have knee pain, there are some steps you may be able to take to reduce your risk. We recommend warming up before engaging in sport, aiming to do movements and techniques properly, doing strength training in an effort to strengthen your quadriceps and hamstrings, avoiding high-impact activities, and increasing your flexibility if possible.

Can I manage knee pain at home?

Depending on what’s causing your knee pain, you may be able to manage it at home if the pain is relatively minor. You should avoid putting weight on the leg and put a wrapped ice pack on your knee for about 20 minutes every two to three hours. You may also wish to take paracetamol or other over-the-counter pain medications. If the pain worsens or doesn’t improve, we recommend seeking medical help such as from your GP or podiatrist.

Our Clinic

We’ve moved! As of April 2026, you can find us at 375 St. Georges Road, Thornbury, near the intersection of Normanby Ave. There is a bus stop right outside, and train stations are a short walk away on High St.

Aiming to Get You Back on Your Feet

Regardless of what’s causing your knee pain, we want you to get back on your feet just as much as you do. Contact us at Ankle Foot and Orthotic Centre today for a personalised assessment and dedicated care.