Physical Therapy Can Help You Get Knee Pain Relief!
Have you noticed that going up and down stairs is becoming increasingly difficult? Do you look for a parking spot near the store entrance because you’re worried about your knees? If you’re tired of having “bad knees,” it’s time to let the therapists at Aspen Rehabilitation in Coral Springs, FL get to the bottom of your pain and help you find knee pain relief.
More and more research has revealed that the knees require movement to remain healthy. Limiting your daily activities to avoid knee pain may be tempting, but it is unlikely to help your knees and may worsen them. Finding knee pain relief can be difficult, which is why it is critical to seek the assistance of a skilled physical therapist.
Without the use of dangerous drugs or invasive surgery, physical therapists can help you find knee pain relief, improve your mobility and strength, and get back to doing what you love.
Request an appointment at our clinic to get back into a healthy, active routine!
Knee Pain Informational Video
Why am I experiencing knee pain?
Your knee is a hinge joint with only forward and backward movement. If your knees are properly aligned, you should be able to stand, walk, run, and dance with ease. You will not be able to move as freely as you would like if you have knee pain.
Although it may appear counterintuitive, there are times when knee pain is a symptom rather than the cause of your problem. By sending pain signals to your brain, the knee can alert you to a problem in the foot or hip region. Of course, there are times when your knee pain is caused by a problem or injury in the knee itself.
Fortunately, our physical therapists at Aspen Rehabilitation in Coral Springs, FL are experts at getting to the root of your problems and identifying all of the factors that may be associated with your specific condition. So, if you’re not sure what’s causing your symptoms, let our team conduct a full-body assessment to identify the causes of your knee pain and help you resolve it once and for all!
Knee pain can be caused by a number of factors, the most common of which are:
Arthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis that causes knee pain. When the cartilage that surrounds your joints deteriorates, the joint no longer has enough cushion between the bones. This causes joint inflammation, which causes varying degrees of pain and dysfunction.
Cartilage Injuries
There are two common types of cartilage injuries:
- Meniscus tear: The meniscus acts as a shock absorber and aids in knee stability. When the knee twists suddenly, either contact or non-contact activity can cause a meniscus tear. Normal wear and tear can also cause this injury.
- Articular cartilage damage: The articular cartilage is a smooth covering on the bones that allows for frictionless sliding from one bone to the next. Direct trauma or wear and tear both cause damage to articular cartilage.
The cartilage in your knee may be damaged if you twist it quickly while bearing weight on it or if you sustain another type of trauma. Prolonged inactivity or repetitive movements can also cause fraying and, eventually, tearing of the cartilage.
Ligament Injuries
Ligaments join our bones together. The ligaments in your knee function similarly to leather straps in holding the bones together and keeping your knee stable. Ligaments can be stretched or torn during sudden movements.
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL): It is located in the center of the knee and controls rotation and forward movement of the shin bone.
- Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL): It is located in the back of the knee and controls the backward movement of the shin bone.
- Medial collateral ligament (MCL): The medial collateral ligament is on the inside of your knee and provides stability to sideway motions.
- Lateral collateral ligament (LCL): The lateral collateral ligament is on the outside of your knee and provides stability to the sideways motions.
Tendinitis
Tendons are fibrous connective tissues that connect muscles to bones. Tendinitis occurs when a tendon becomes inflamed as a result of repeated movements. It is common in jumping and landing motions, as well as sports such as skiing, cycling, and hurdling.
The patellar tendon is the tendon that connects the patella (kneecap) to the shinbone, allowing you to kick, run, and jump. Patellar tendinitis is common in runners, skiers, cyclists, and people participating in jumping sports.
Knee tendinitis can make it difficult to walk, get out of a chair, climb stairs, or participate in sports. Our physical therapists can diagnose and treat knee pain, allowing you to get back to doing what you enjoy.
Knee bursitis
Bursae are closed, fluid-filled sacs that cushion and aid in the creation of a smooth gliding surface to reduce friction between body tissues. These fluid sacs protect the tendons from the bone.
An injury or overuse can cause bursitis (inflammation of the bursae), which prevents tendons from gliding smoothly over the joint and can be painful or even debilitating.
Fractures
In a car accident, the knee bones, particularly the kneecap (patella), can be damaged. Simply taking the wrong step and landing awkwardly or directly on the knee cap can result in a knee fracture.
A thorough evaluation by a licensed physical therapist at our physical therapy clinic is the best way to determine the true cause of your knee pain and assist you in finding effective solutions!
Whatever the cause of your knee pain, the physical therapists at Aspen Rehabilitation are here to help you get the relief you deserve.
Find knee pain relief with physical therapy
Have you been told that surgery is your only option for knee pain relief? For the vast majority of people, this is simply not the case. Researchers have shown that physical therapy is as effective as or more effective than surgery for various knee disorders. You will benefit greatly from physical therapy; there is nothing to be afraid of!
During your first appointment, one of our physical therapists will perform a full body evaluation. Your therapist will examine your knees for signs and symptoms of serious conditions that necessitate further evaluation.
Our assessments will focus on the joints above and below the knee. They will also examine other factors affecting your mobility, gait, and overall functional ability.
You and the physical therapist will discuss how your body works together. They will help you return to normal joint function in order to resume your regular activities. Are you ready to achieve more joint range of motion, soft tissue flexibility, and less discomfort?
Your therapist will teach you exercises to strengthen the muscles around your knees in order to reduce pain, stabilize, and improve the overall function of your knees. Your therapist will also use manual therapy and modality treatments to alleviate discomfort and hasten the recovery of injured tissues.
Ready to find knee pain relief? Contact us today!
Now is the time to take control of your knee pain and stop it from interfering with your life. Are you ready to return to the life you love?
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FAQs
Your knees are hinge joints that allow for the forward-and-backward motions within the joint.
The knee is one of the largest joints in your body, made up of a complex system of bones, tendons, and ligaments. Because of this, the knee can be easily injured due to overexertion or repetitive motions. Additionally, knee pain can be caused due to an underlying ailment. Some of the most common causes of knee pain are sprains, strains, fractures, tears, dislocation, tendinitis, bursitis, and arthritis.
There are some actions you can take on your own to relieve your knee pain, including wearing properly fitted shoes, using hot and cold remedies, stretching, and taking breaks from physical activity when noticing painful flare-ups. However, physical therapy is the best way to find consistent, long-lasting relief for your knee pain. Through manual therapy, strength training, flexibility training, balance training, and pain-specific exercises, physical therapy can get your knees moving comfortably once again.
Frequently consulting with a physical therapist is the best way to continually manage your knee pain. Having a regular physical therapy checkup ensures that your joints are working at their peak performance. In addition, any problems will be discovered early, preventing the onset of arthritis and joint injury. If you do have arthritis or have had surgery, then a regular physical therapy check-up is especially important, in order to make sure that your knee pain remains at bay.
Our physical therapists will examine your knee for signs of misalignment or structural damage, in addition to examining your stance, posture, gait, and range of motion. If needed, additional tests (such as x-rays) may be conducted. This will help determine the cause of your knee pain so we can treat it accordingly. After your initial evaluation is complete, your physical therapist will prescribe a physical therapy plan specifically for you, aimed at relieving unnatural stresses and strains, and normalizing your joint function.