Knee injuries can be frustrating, painful, and confusing to navigate—especially when you’re not sure which health professional to see. Should you visit a physiotherapist or a biokineticist? Do you need both? And what’s the difference between the two?
Understanding how biokinetics and physiotherapy work—both individually and together—can help you make the right choice for your recovery journey. This article breaks it all down so you feel informed, reassured, and supported at every step.
What Does a Physiotherapist Do After a Knee Injury?
A physiotherapist is often your first point of contact after a knee injury—especially if there is acute pain, swelling, or post-operative needs.
Common physiotherapy treatments include:
- Reducing pain and inflammation through manual therapy or modalities (e.g. ultrasound, dry needling)
- Restoring early range of motion in the joint
- Addressing tissue healing and swelling management
- Prescribing early-stage mobility exercises
- Monitoring and managing the recovery of ligaments, tendons, and cartilage
Physiotherapists often work in the acute and subacute phases of injury. This is when pain is higher, movement is limited, and tissues are still healing. They are skilled in helping you get back to a baseline of pain-free movement.
What Does a Biokineticist Do?
A biokineticist is a clinical exercise specialist trained in rehabilitative movement. They work primarily in the later stages of injury recovery—once inflammation is under control and you’re ready to build strength, coordination, and endurance again.
Biokinetics focuses on:
- Functional movement retraining
- Strengthening weakened muscles post-injury
- Improving balance, control, and joint stability
- Addressing muscular imbalances or compensations
- Creating long-term, personalised rehab plans
- Gradual return to sport or activity
While physiotherapy focuses more on hands-on treatment and symptom relief, biokinetics is all about active recovery and long-term movement correction.
👉 Related reading: biokinetics can help after surgery
Where the Two Professions Overlap
There’s a lot of collaboration and mutual respect between physiotherapists and biokineticists—especially when it comes to knee injuries.
Both are movement professionals who help:
- Reduce pain
- Improve joint mobility
- Prevent future injury
- Educate clients on proper recovery
But they do so at different stages of the rehab process:
| Physiotherapist | Biokineticist |
|---|---|
| Acute injury management | Functional movement rehab |
| Hands-on therapy | Exercise-based rehab |
| Early pain and swelling reduction | Return-to-activity planning |
| Short-term goals (0–6 weeks) | Long-term outcomes (6 weeks–6 months+) |
Think of physiotherapists as your first stop after injury, and biokineticists as your partners in full recovery.
When Should You See a Biokineticist?
You might see a biokineticist:
- After finishing physio but still not back to full activity
- If you’ve had an ACL reconstruction, meniscus surgery, or cartilage repair
- For recurrent knee pain or injuries that just won’t settle
- To build strength after a ligament strain or runner’s knee
- For return-to-sport testing and performance assessments
If you’re unsure, a simple rule is:
👉 If you’re no longer in acute pain but still don’t trust your knee, a biokineticist is the next step.
Biokinetics is especially powerful for preventing re-injury, improving confidence, and addressing the root cause of faulty movement patterns.
How Biokinetics Supports Long-Term Recovery
Unlike many short-term interventions, biokinetics is designed to set you up for life. It’s not just about feeling better—it’s about moving better, performing better, and avoiding repeat injuries.
A biokinetics rehab plan may include:
- Strength training for glutes, hamstrings, and quads
- Knee stabilisation exercises using bands or unstable surfaces
- Mobility drills for hips and ankles
- Controlled agility drills (for athletes or active individuals)
- Education around load management and training progression
This approach is individualised and data-driven, using movement screens, strength tests, and rehab milestones to guide you through recovery.
👉 Related reading: ACL rehab timeline
Still Unsure Who to See? Book a Free Movement Consultation.
The good news? You don’t always have to choose between physiotherapy and biokinetics. In fact, the best knee recovery plans combine both—starting with symptom relief, and continuing into long-term strength and movement development.
If you’ve had a knee injury and aren’t sure where to go next, we’re here to help. At Nexus Physical Rehab, we work alongside local physiotherapists to make sure your entire rehab journey is covered—from the very first step to your full return to sport, training, or daily life
💬 Still unsure who to see? Book a movement consultation today and take the guesswork out of your recovery.