Knee Surgeon vs. Physiotherapist: Who Should You See for Knee Pain?

If you’re suffering from knee pain, stiffness, or instability, one of the first questions you may ask is: "Do I need a knee surgeon or should I see a physiotherapist?" While both professionals play important roles in diagnosing and treating knee conditions, their approaches — and the situations where they’re most effective — can be quite different. In this guide, we’ll help you understand when to see a knee surgeon and when a physiotherapist might be the right first step. 👨⚕️ What Does a Knee Surgeon Do? A knee surgeon (also known as an orthopaedic knee specialist ) is a medical doctor trained to diagnose, manage, and surgically treat complex knee conditions. At The Knee Clinic Manchester , our consultant knee surgeon, Mr. Bilal Barkatali , specialises in: Knee osteoarthritis treatment ACL reconstruction and revision Cartilage regeneration Knee replacement surgery , including robotic surgery Joint preservation and osteotomy Patellar dislocation and instability surger...