To permanently eliminate knee discomfort, one should not rely solely on generic exercises but rather test and correct for a lack of hip stability as well as a lack of ankle mobility (particularly regarding tibial rotation).

noli's read

The idea of analyzing adjacent joints to relieve the knee is highly relevant for optimizing movement. A meta-analysis by Barton et al. (2013) in the British Journal of Sports Medicine confirms that targeted strengthening of the hip muscles (gluteals) is highly effective for reducing knee discomfort in runners. Similarly, observational data from Malloy et al. (2015) support that a lack of ankle mobility increases compensatory forces on the knee during impact movements. However, the "instant" relief effect presented here should be qualified. While rapid neural stimulation can temporarily alter the perception of discomfort, lasting tissue transformation and strength gains generally require several weeks of consistent practice. Finally, the direct link between a specific restriction in tibial rotation and knee discomfort rests primarily on expert opinion, lacking evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

the sources

No named source held this one up — that absence is part of the verdict.