Knee Pain
Knee pain is a common complaint of people all ages. It is found in young children in the form of Osgood-Schlatters and Sinding-Larsen Johansson syndrome, which are irritations of the tibial tuberosity and inferior patellar growth plates respectively. It is also found in adults in the form of patellar tendinopathy or patella-femoral pain syndrome. Knee pain can be the result of traumatic injuries causing ligament or meniscus tears. Finally, it can be the result of degeneration causing knee osteoarthritis and potential knee replacement. Regardless of the pathophysiology, a skilled physical therapist can help
TREATMENTS:
The knee is a simple hinge joint that is generally along for the ride. Knee pain is usually the result of poor strength and control either above the joint, at the hip and lumbar spine, or below the joint, at the foot and ankle. At PT Solutions, our therapists will perform a comprehensive assessment to not only treat your current area of pain, but to ensure the cause of the pain is addressed as well.
Manual therapy
Manual therapy will address any mobility impairments at the hip or ankle to ensure proper functional positioning is achieved. For example, poor ankle or hip mobility will result in greater knee flexion and progression beyond your toes during squatting. This will increase the shear force and cause pain in your knee. Soft tissue and joint mobilization around the knee will be used to decrease pain and improve mobility. Treating all the joints of the lower extremity will allow for full functional mobility.
Therapeutic exercise programs
Therapeutic exercise will address weakness in the hips and low back that results in poor lower extremity control. Weakness in your hip rotators and extensors can result in poor knee positioning during dynamic activity such as running and jumping. Strengthening the actual muscles around the knee is important as well and will be addressed in a safe and effective manner. A PT Solutions physical therapist can not only strengthen the necessary muscles, but also educate you on proper motor control to become and remain pain free.
EVIDENCE:
Significant correlation has been found between quadriceps strength and knee stability. Research has also shown proximal control and multi genre exercise increase chances of knee injury prevention. Unilateral deficits are not seen during bipedal movements and tests indicating both bilateral and unilateral tests should be assessed. A skilled therapist will be able to determine all deficits through specific tests and measures to devise an appropriate and effective rehabilitation program
WE CAN TREAT
- Ligament tear rehab
- ACL, MCL, LCL, PCL
- Meniscus tear rehab
- Patella instability
- Patello-femoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS)
- Runner’s Knee
- Jumper’s Knee
- Patellar tendinitis
- Osgood-Schlatters/Growth Plate Disorders
- Iliotibial (IT) Band Syndrome
- Osteoarthritis
- Chondromalacia
- Muscle strain/tear (i.e. quadriceps or hamstring)
- Total Knee Replacements
- Post-surgical
