Pain in the Knee...
Is the lot of a lot of active people. From runners to cyclists, skiers
to skaters, basketball to soccer players, anyone who participates in a
sport knows someone who complains of "bad knees." The
problem can be structural, caused by poor technique, improper equipment,
inadequate conditioning, or simply by a fall or collision. Bad knees can
put an end to an otherwise promising athletic career or sideline a skier
for a whole season.
The knee is a complicated structure. A hinged joint which allows for the
motion of walking, the knee depends on ligaments for stability. Anterior
and posterior cruciate ligaments control the back-and-forth movement of
the knee and collateral ligaments control side-to-side movement.
Cartilage coats the knee to prevent the ends of the shin and thigh bones
from rubbing together, the meniscus cartilage helps in stabilizing and
weight bearing. And the whole joint is controlled by two sets of muscles...
the quadricepts from the front thigh, and the hamstring from the rear
thigh.
Any one of these complicated and interrelated elements is subject to
damage. From tearing a hamstring muscle to torn cartilage, stretched ligaments
to the bane of all athletes... the torn ACL injury.
Some injuries are largely preventable. Chondromalacia or Patellar Pain
Syndrome, for example, involves pain and a grinding sensaton under the
kneecap. It is typically caused by too much activity, using worn out running
shoes, or a poorly fitted bicycle which puts too much strain on the knee.
Treating the problem will help with pain management, but the solution
is proper body mechanics, appropriate equipment, matching your level of
activity with your level of fitness, and in the case of injury caused
by repetitive motion... breaking up the activity with stretches or alternate
activities to take strain off the knee.
Personalized PT works with people who are suffering through knee pain to help them get back on their feet again. Whether you're suffering from the complex.. a complete knee replacement or recovery from an ACL tear, to the relatively mundane, such as tendinitis, knee pain can put you right on the couch and out of action. Your therapist will work with you to minimize your pain, so you can get off the couch and back to doing what you love to do!
Learn more about Manual Therapy. Learn more about other therapies we use.
Treatment
If knee pain lasts more than a few days, you should call your doctor. If there is deformity or extreme pain you should seek help immediately. Otherwise, ice, elevate, and wait, may be your best option while you're waiting to see your physical therapist.
Prevention
The best way to prevent a knee injury is to stretch every day to protect
the muscles that protect your knees. Develop balanced strength in
your leg muscles to support the knee joint, and don't overdo it. Many
knee injuries are caused by asking our bodies to do too much, too quickly.
Personalized PT customizes exercise and stretching programs
to fit your needs, to both repair and prevent injury. Contact
us to arrange a consultation.
Meanwhile, protect your knees from injury by protecting yourself. Stretch
and warm up before work and sports.
Return to Where It Hurts, the Clickable Man!
