Knee Pain – Causes and Treatments
Pain in the knee is a common ailment for many adults. The knee is supported by four ligaments and many muscles and tendons that can become damaged due to repetitive motion, strain, everyday use, and arthritis. This pain can be a major burden as it limits mobility and makes menial tasks such as standing or climbing stairs laborious.
If you are experiencing knee pain, it is important to determine the severity of the pain and its location. A thorough understanding of the discomfort will help you and your therapists find the appropriate diagnosis and treatment.
Types of Knee Pain
Acute: Occurs 1-7 days after injury and is usually the most severe.
Sub-Acute: Lasts 2-6 weeks after injury.
Chronic: Lasts greater than 8-12 weeks.
Location of Knee Pain
Pain on the Front of the Knee - Sometimes called "runner's knee" is common in people who play sports but can also occur in non-athletes, as well. The alignment of the kneecap and overuse from vigorous athletics or training are often major factors.
Pain on the Inside of the Knee - A common cause of pain on the inside of the knee is an injury to the medial collateral ligament, which runs up the inside of the knee joint and helps to stabilize the inside of the knee. This injury can occur when the impact happens on the outside of the knee.
Pain on the Outside of the Knee – An injury to the inside of the knee may cause a lateral collateral ligament (LCL) injury, which causes pain to the outside of the knee. Another common lateral knee pain could be from iliotibial (IT) band friction syndrome which is common in runners and cyclists due to overuse.
Physical Therapy Treatment for Knee Pain
Following a knee injury, you should begin by adhering to the R.I.C.E. principle. Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation can give you immediate relief and prevent further damage.
To prevent the pain from becoming more severe and spreading to other areas of the knee, you should speak to your physical therapists to determine the treatment that would best remedy your pain.
Our licensed physical therapist will do a complete evaluation to determine the most effective treatment plan for you. The customized treatment plan may include:
- Manual Physical Therapy
- Hot and cold therapy
- IASTM(Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization)
- Kinesio taping
- Trigger Point Dry Needling
- Personalized exercise programs
- Education about suitable activities
How Physical Therapy Can Help You
In addition to pain relief, manual physical therapy performed by our licensed physical therapist at our Applewood location can provide results, including but not limited to:
- Improved functionality beyond the pre-injury state
- Provide a greater range of motion
- Reduced or removed knee inflammation
- Increased flexibility, mobility, and strength
- Enhanced ligament extensibility and stability
With physical therapy, patients can expect the recovery to take between a few weeks or months, depending on the severity of the case.
If you are suffering from knee pain, we can help!
Our highly educated physical therapists here at Fyzical provide each patient with the best-personalized care. We put emphasis on both physical and overall wellness to ensure you are your best self. Call today to make an appointment at 303-409-2133.