For practices
Movement & Musculoskeletal Health
Why Does My Knee Hurt Going Downstairs but Not Upstairs?
The difference you’ve noticed is useful. It can help you understand what your knee is responding to and what to do next.
Pain & MovementAlso in Everyday Health
Going down can hurt when going up feels fine, because the knee is doing a different job. This feature walks through why that happens, what else brings the pain on, the three things worth noticing, what may have changed, what you can do this week, and when to arrange an assessment.
Inside this feature
- Why Down Can Feel Different
- Coming Down, Your Legs Are Braking
- Does Anything Else Bring It On?
- Three Things Worth Noticing
- So Why Now?
- What You Can Do This Week
- When to Stop Waiting and Book In
- Take the Pattern With You
Read the special feature 9 pages · 12 September 2026
Opening feature…
General information, not a diagnosis. If anything here feels familiar, the next step is a conversation with your GP.
Clinical Governance & Editorial StandardsShare this feature
Pass it on to patients, colleagues or your community — no account or sign-in needed to read it.
Generic ITWR link