Work out where your knee pain is coming from Not all knee pain is the same. If strengthening exercises help, it may suggest that weak muscles and tendons are contributing to the problem. Once your leg muscles are stronger, activities such as walking can become easier – and your knees may be better able to cope with them. Don’t make painkillers your long-term solution Painkillers can have a role in managing knee pain, but they don’t fix the underlying problem. Walk in a pool: Walking laps through water provides resistance for your leg muscles while reducing the load on your knees.