Why Does My Knee Hurt When Walking My Dog?
Meet Pumpkin, a corgi who loves his daily walks. Whether it’s patrolling the park or tugging eagerly on his leash at the beach, Pumpkin is always ready for an adventure.
But his owner started noticing knee pain during their walks, especially when navigating uneven ground or keeping up with Pumpkin’s enthusiastic pulling.
At Bodyfix Physiotherapy, we often see clients with similar stories. Walking your dog should be enjoyable, but factors like uneven terrain, sudden pulls, or long distances can contribute to knee discomfort. The good news is that, with the right advice and exercises, most people can get back to walking comfortably, with your four-legged friend happily leading the way.
1. Hills and uneven paths can strain your knees
Walking on slopes or rough ground increases the load on your knees, which can aggravate conditions like osteoarthritis or patellofemoral pain syndrome.
Tip: Choose flatter paths when possible, and wear supportive footwear to help reduce joint stress.
2. Sudden pulls on the leash can cause injury
Like when Pumpkin spots another dog at the beach and lunges forward, a quick, strong force can irritate tendons or ligaments in the knee
3. Stiffness after resting can signal osteoarthritis
If your knee feels stiff or sore after sitting down post-walk, this may suggest mild osteoarthritis. Staying moderately active (like walking) actually helps reduce the risk of functional limitations.
4. Shorter, more frequent walks often feel better
Breaking up long walks into shorter ones can help your knees adapt and strengthen over time.
How physiotherapy can help!
A physiotherapist can assess your knee, identify the cause of your pain, and create a personalised plan to improve your strength, mobility, and confidence.
Whether you’re in Townsville, Charters Towers, or a nearby community, our team is here to help you and your four-legged friend keep moving happily.
Ready to walk comfortably again?
If knee pain is getting in the way of enjoying walks with your dog, book an appointment with one of our friendly physiotherapists today.
References
Buckley, M. D. (2024). Leash-related injuries associated with dog walking: An overview. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 262(7), 789–795. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.23.11.0608
Sanchis-Alfonso, V., & Roselló-Sastre, E. (2010). Patellofemoral pain syndrome: Clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment. Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine, 3(1–4), 69–75. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12178-010-9065-8
White, D. K., Tudor-Locke, C., Felson, D. T., Gross, K. D., Niu, J., Nevitt, M. C., Keysor, J. J., & Dunlop, D. D. (2014). Daily walking and the risk of incident functional limitation in knee osteoarthritis: An observational study. Arthritis Care & Research, 66(9), 1328–1336. https://doi.org/10.1002/acr.22362
