Knee problems after table tennis sessions

Jasper Low Asked 3 weeks ago

Recently I had this problem where my left knee would hurt when I try to straighten it. It started after this one table tennis session I had. Sometime after, it recovered but it does happen on and off. Nowadays it's happening more frequently which is worrying me a bit. When it does happen, my walking gets more awkward because I find it painful when my left leg straightens. What's happening?

Alois Rosario Answered 2 weeks ago

Hi Jasper,

Thanks for reaching out and sharing what’s going on.

Knee pain like the one you're describing—especially if it happens more often after table tennis or becomes more frequent over time—is something to take seriously. When it’s painful to straighten the leg and it affects your walking, that’s a clear sign that your body’s asking for a bit more attention.

It’s hard to say exactly what’s happening without a proper medical assessment. Table tennis, with all its quick changes of direction and low stance, can sometimes put a fair bit of strain on the knees—especially if there’s an imbalance or an underlying issue.

My advice would be to see a physiotherapist or a sports medicine specialist who can look at it properly. The earlier you get it checked, the easier it usually is to deal with. In the meantime, try to avoid movements that aggravate it, and if you continue playing, consider reducing intensity and using more upright footwork to take some pressure off the knee.

Looking after your body is a key part of staying in the game long-term, so you’re doing the right thing by paying attention to this.