Arthritis care begins with the right diagnosis
Knee pain may arise from osteoarthritis, tendon problems, injury, referred pain or more than one factor. Symptoms and examination matter alongside X-rays or other imaging.
Evaluation considers pain pattern, swelling, instability, range of motion, strength, walking, previous treatment and your functional goals. The plan should match the individual rather than a single scan grade.
Options may include
Education and load management
Practical changes to daily activity while maintaining safe movement.
Rehabilitation
Strength, mobility, balance and graded return to valued activities.
Medication review
Individual risks, benefits and coordination with existing treatment.
Injection discussion
PRP, corticosteroid or other options may be considered depending on indication and availability.
A balanced discussion before platelet-rich plasma
PRP is prepared from a patient’s own blood and used for selected musculoskeletal conditions. It is not automatically the best option for every painful knee. The decision should consider the working diagnosis, severity, medical history, previous treatment, expectations, cost, evidence, alternatives and potential risks.
Dr Shoaib’s research includes a comparison of intra-articular corticosteroid and autologous PRP for knee osteoarthritis, as well as shockwave therapy compared with hyaluronic acid. Research experience supports a careful discussion, not a guarantee of response.
Knee and PRP FAQs
Is PRP suitable for every painful knee?
No. Suitability depends on the diagnosis, severity, symptoms, medical history, goals and other available treatments. A consultation is needed before recommending a procedure.
Does PRP regrow knee cartilage?
PRP should not be presented as guaranteed cartilage regrowth. Evidence and response vary, and realistic goals, uncertainty and alternatives should be discussed before treatment.
Will I still need rehabilitation?
Often, a procedure is only one part of management. Strength, mobility, load management and gradual return to activity may remain important.
Finding the cause of knee pain before choosing treatment
Knee pain on stairs, during prayer, after a cricket match or when getting up from a chair can have different causes. Dr Muhammad Shoaib Mukhtar assesses joint movement, muscles, nerves and daily function at PAF Hospital Islamabad. The aim is a treatment plan that fits the problem and the activities you want to regain.
Pain and stiffness without an injury
Osteoarthritis is one possibility, especially when walking and standing become uncomfortable. The examination also considers swelling, other painful joints and whether pain could be coming from the hip or back.
Pain after a twist or sports injury
A ligament, meniscus or tendon problem may need a different rehabilitation plan. Tell the doctor if you heard a pop, developed swelling, feel the knee give way or cannot straighten it fully.
Pain around the kneecap or tendon
Running, jumping, repeated bending and changes in training can aggravate the structures around the knee. Assessment helps identify which movements and loads need adjusting.
A suddenly hot, swollen knee
Seek urgent medical assessment, particularly with fever or inability to bear weight. Infection, crystal arthritis and significant injury need prompt evaluation before routine rehabilitation.
What happens at a knee pain appointment?
Bring previous X-rays or MRI reports, prescriptions and details of any injection, operation or physiotherapy already tried. Explain when the pain started, where it hurts, what makes it worse and how it affects walking, sleep, work or prayer. Your goals could include using stairs, returning to sport or walking farther with confidence.
History and examination guide the need for tests. A scan is useful when it answers a specific question; it is not automatically required before every consultation. Tell the clinic about diabetes, blood-thinning medicines and allergies before any proposed procedure.
Non-surgical knee treatment and injection choices
A plan may combine progressive exercise, adjustments to activity, medication review and aids where needed. For osteoarthritis, regular therapeutic exercise and weight management when appropriate are important parts of care. Progress is assessed through symptoms and function, not just a scan.
An injection consultation considers the diagnosis, previous treatment and the benefit you hope to achieve. Corticosteroid can provide temporary relief in selected cases. PRP and gel injections are different treatments with different evidence and uncertainties. No injection should be promised to regrow cartilage or remove the need for all future treatment.
Read the separate guides to PRP knee injections and cost questions, hyaluronic acid knee gel injections and joint injection preparation and aftercare.
Knee pain treatment cost in Islamabad
The consultation, any tests and a procedure may have separate charges. Call 051 9564331 or WhatsApp the clinic to confirm the current consultation fee. For injections, ask which substance is proposed, whether guidance and follow-up are included, and how many visits are expected. An individual quotation follows assessment.
Ghutne ka dard: information in Urdu
If you describe your symptoms as ghutno ka dard or are looking for ghutne ke dard ka ilaj, start with our گھٹنے کے درد کی اردو رہنمائی. The same consultation assesses the cause before choosing treatment.
Clinical reading: NHS: knee pain and warning symptoms; NICE: osteoarthritis care.