What helps with knee pain?
Knee pain most often improves with reduced load, adjusted movement, and a local approach at the site of the issue. It is important to reduce strain, maintain moderate mobility, and, if needed, apply a local product to support the joint.
If we act early enough, we can often reduce the problem and prevent it from worsening.
Table of contents
Knee pain is one of the most common joint problems – it can occur due to overuse, injury, or joint wear (osteoarthritis). Understanding the cause is key, as it determines what actually helps.
What causes knee pain?
The most common causes of knee pain are:
- overuse (prolonged walking, sports)
- overuse (prolonged walking, sports)
- joint wear (osteoarthritis)
- inflammation in the joint or surrounding tissues
- improper load or posture
What can help:
- local approaches to relieve symptoms
- reducing load on the knee
- adjusting activities
- regular, moderate movement
If the pain starts to spread from the lower back down the leg, it may also be sciatica.
Most common causes
Knee pain can have multiple different causes. In practice, it is often a combination of several factors, so it is important to understand what lies behind the issue.
Knee overuse
Prolonged walking, running, or repetitive movements can cause tissue irritation and knee pain, especially if the knee does not have enough time to recover.
Injuries
Pain can occur after injuries such as ligament strain, meniscus damage, or impact. Symptoms may appear immediately or with a delay.
Knee osteoarthritis
One of the most common causes of knee pain is osteoarthritis – the wear of joint cartilage that most often occurs with aging or due to long-term strain.
You can read more about osteoarthritis here →
Joint inflammation
Inflammation can cause swelling, a feeling of warmth, and pain, which often worsens with movement.
Improper load
Poor posture, unsuitable footwear, or incorrect movements can cause uneven load on the knee and lead to pain.
How to identify the cause of pain?
Knee pain can have various causes. It is important to recognize what is happening in the joint, as this often determines the approach to relieving the problem.
Pain during movement
If the pain occurs mainly during walking, running, or loading the knee, it is often due to overuse or early joint wear (osteoarthritis). The problem may worsen with prolonged activity.
Oteklina in občutek toplote
If the knee is swollen, warm to the touch, or sensitive, it is often due to inflammation in the joint or surrounding tissues. Swelling is a sign that the body is reacting to irritation or injury.
Morning stiffness
If the knee is stiff in the morning and only loosens up after a few minutes, it is often related to early joint changes such as osteoarthritis.
Sudden pain after injury
If the pain appears suddenly after a blow, fall, or improper movement, it may be an injury to ligaments, the meniscus, or other structures in the knee.
If you suspect that joint wear is the cause of the pain, you can read more here →
Why does knee pain occur?
Knee pain can have multiple different causes. They most often occur due to overuse, injuries, inflammation, or joint wear (osteoarthritis). It is often a combination of several factors.
The knee is one of the most heavily loaded joints in the body, which makes it sensitive to prolonged strain and repetitive movements.
Pain can occur when:
- the joint is overused (prolonged walking, sports)
- an injury occurs (strain, meniscus, impact)
- inflammation develops in the joint or surrounding tissues
- cartilage begins to wear (osteoarthritis)
Important:
Different causes can lead to very similar symptoms, so it is important to observe when and how the pain occurs.
How to help with knee pain?
Knee pain rarely improves overnight. In most cases, it is a combination of strain, inflammation, or early joint wear, so it makes sense to approach the problem from multiple angles.
The key is to reduce joint irritation while maintaining mobility.
Reducing load on the knee
If the knee hurts, the first step is to reduce the load.
This means less prolonged walking, running, or repetitive movements that trigger pain.
Short-term load reduction often reduces pain on its own.
Adjusted movement
Complete rest is usually not a good solution.
Moderate, controlled movement helps maintain joint mobility and prevents additional stiffness.
It is important that movement does not cause additional pain.
Adjusting activities
If pain occurs during certain movements (e.g. squats, running, walking up stairs), it makes sense to temporarily limit or adjust these activities.
The knee often needs time to settle down.
Local approaches
With knee pain, many people turn to local approaches because they act directly at the site of the problem.
These include:
- applying to the painful area
- using compresses
- combining both for longer contact with the skin
Some users report that combining cream and a compress prolongs the effect, as the active substance remains at the application site longer.
Consistency is key
For most knee issues, it is not about a one-time solution but a process. Improvement is usually gradual and requires several days or weeks of consistent approach.
The biggest difference comes from combining multiple approaches rather than relying on a single solution. That is why many combine reduced load, movement, and local approaches to achieve better results.
User experience
Smrekovit is a very effective medicine. Some time ago I had strong knee pain, elbow and cervical vertebrae. After 10 days of using Smrekovit, these pains disappeared. I apply Smrekovit twice a day, in the morning and in the evening. Even though the pain has disappeared, I still apply the ointment regularly. I have also cured the itching in my ear, which had been bothering me for a long time, and the burn on my hand has completely healed. In a word: Smrekovit is miraculous.
Konrad, Podgorci
[137] handwritten feedback received on 4.1.2018, stored in the Smrekovit archive
I started using Smrekovit because I had knee pain. Although the X-ray did not show a severe deformity, I have been limping badly since August. Physiotherapy and topical analgesic treatment followed. After talking to a relative, I switched to Smrekovit, which I am still using now, and my condition has improved considerably. I am lubricating my knee twice a day and I intend to continue to do so, because I am very satisfied with the condition of my knee.
The user wished to remain anonymous
[138] handwritten feedback, received 26.4.2018, stored in the Smrekovit archive
I have been ordering your products for a few years now and I have to admit that I have solved quite a few problems.
Five years ago, I felt knee painfollowed by swelling so bad I could barely walk up the stairs. I went to the doctor and the specialist and wondered what was going to happen to my knee. Then I took Smrekovit in my hands and started the therapy. I applied 2-3 times a day, put a wrap on my knee and bandaged it with a bandage. After three to four days I felt a prickling in my knee, then after five days tiny dots and then small pins and needles. I stopped the rubbing and the scabs disappeared, as did swelling and pain in the knee. Five years later, the pain has not recurred.Angelca, Črnomelj
[110] handwritten feedback received on 9.6.2017, stored in the Smrekovit archive
I used spruce because I had swelling and pain in the knee. I put it on every morning and every evening. My knee is healed. I also used it for lower back painwhere it was equally effective. I also have anthill fingers on my right hand, which I am still putting on. I have also recommended it to friends with problems and they have all been happy. I have now bought some for my daughter who has a knee injury.
Helena, Stara Cerkev
[88] handwritten feedback received on an unknown date, kept in the Smrekovit archive
I use Smrekovit for knee pain. I kept it on for a week and it was already improving, so I kept it on for another fortnight. For my stomach, I took medication to inhibit the secretion of stomach acid. I stopped the medication and started taking Smrekovit twice a day, which I was also using for similar problems. I ordered it immediately and applied it daily for 14 days. The pain subsided and since then I have always had your products on hand for other problems.
Slavka Godeša, Rakek
[83] handwritten feedback received on 2.11.2015, stored in the Smrekovit archive
You can find more user experiences here →
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Smrekovit Klasik spruce resin ointment
Price range: 6,00 € through 35,00 € -
Smrekovit 365 Ekstra – spruce cream with a cooling effect
14,00 € -
Smrekovit 365 Alter - cream with boswellia resin
14,00 € -
Smrekovit compress
3,00 € -
Smrekovit 365 spruce resin cream
14,00 €
What increases the risk?
Knee pain rarely occurs without a reason. It is most often the result of a combination of factors that over time increase joint load or accelerate its wear.
Some factors (e.g. age or genetics) are not under your control, while others can be significantly influenced – thereby reducing the risk of problems.
Family predisposition
If your parents or relatives have had joint problems, there is a higher likelihood that they may also occur in you. It is not about a single gene, but a combination of factors that affect cartilage structure and the body's response to load.
Previous injuries
Knee injuries (ligament strains, meniscus injuries, impacts) often leave long-term consequences. Even if the pain disappears, the joint may remain more sensitive and prone to recurring issues.
Age
With age, cartilage gradually wears down. That is why knee pain is more common after the age of 40, especially in people with long-term joint strain.
Gender
Knee problems can occur in both sexes, but the patterns differ. In younger individuals, they are more common in men (due to strain), while later they are more common in women.
Excess body weight
Every extra kilogram means more load on the knee joint. This increases pressure on the cartilage and can accelerate the onset of pain and wear.
Increased load
Repetitive movements (kneeling, lifting, sports) can overload the knee over time. The risk is higher with physically demanding work or intense training.
Poor posture
Poor posture or improper movement patterns cause uneven load on the knee, which can lead to pain even without injury.
Arthritis
Inflammatory joint conditions (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis or gout) can cause pain, swelling, and reduced mobility of the knee.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my knee hurt when walking or standing up?
Knee pain during walking or standing up is often related to joint overuse, early cartilage wear, or inflammation. It is also common after prolonged sitting, when the joint becomes “stiff” and needs some movement to loosen up.
Can knee pain go away on its own?
In milder cases, the condition can improve by reducing load and adjusting activities. If the problem persists or recurs, it makes sense to take action, as it may gradually worsen.
Is movement recommended or harmful?
Moderate, adjusted movement is generally beneficial, as it helps maintain joint mobility. Problems may worsen with sudden, intense, or repetitive movements without rest.
When is knee pain a sign of a more serious problem?
If the knee is severely swollen, unstable, locks during movement, or the pain does not go away for weeks, it is advisable to seek professional help.
How quickly can the condition improve?
Improvement depends on the cause of the problem. In milder cases, improvement may occur within a few days, while in more persistent cases it can take several weeks.
Does excess body weight affect knee pain?
Yes. Higher body weight means greater load on the knee joint, which can accelerate the onset of pain and wear.
Do local approaches (creams, ointments) help?
Local approaches can help relieve pain because they act directly at the site of the problem. The effect often depends on the cause and consistency of use. Some users report improvement when combining cream and compresses, which prolongs contact with the skin.
What does it mean if knee pain is only on one side?
Pain on one side of the knee is often related to overuse, improper loading, or injury (e.g. meniscus). The location of the pain can help identify the cause.