Understanding Knee Pain: Causes, Treatment & Prevention
Knee pain is a common issue affecting people of all ages. It can result from acute injuries, mechanical problems (ongoing biomechanical), types of arthritis, postural and from just sitting and watching a movie. At PhysioFlex, we specialise in diagnosing and treating knee pain, ensuring you get back to your daily activities pain-free. We will thoroughly assess all of your movement from head to toe to ensure we find the right treatment and manegement for you!
Causes of Knee Pain
- Injuries: such as ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury which is a stop and pivot movement, fractures, torn meniscus (as pictured below or to the right), knee bursitis, patellar tendinitis, suprapatellar and infrapatellar tendonitis.
- Mechanical problems: Including loose body, Iliotibial band syndrome, fat pad impingement, dislocated kneecap, hip or foot pain.
- Arthritis types: Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, pseudogout.
- Other causes: Patellofemoral pain syndrome (runner’s knee), Osgood-Schlatter disease (in growing adolescents). This will be felt at the front of the knee or the shin and a small bump may start to develop at the top of the shin where the patella tendons attach. Muscular or tendon attachment pain for example at the pes anserine site at the inside of the knee. You may also develop a bakers cyst at the back of the knee. These can be persistent but often not symptomatic.
- Ligaments – ACL (as above), MCL, PCL, LCL. These or all your collateral ligements and our physios will always check these and their laxity as part of the full assessment.
Symptoms Indicating the Need for Professional Care
- Persistent or severe knee pain
- Pain with activity or a mechanism in sport when a click or popping has been heard in the knee.
- Clicking of the knee.
- When the knee gives way constantly
- Tenderness when touch the knee
- Swelling and redness
- Knee deformities
- Inability to fully extend the knee
- Fever that is present with any of the above.
The Physiology Behind Knee Pain
The knee is a complex joint that relies on ligaments, tendons, and muscles for stability. When these structures are injured or worn with repetitive stress, they can cause pain, inflammation, and functional limitations. Understanding the physiology helps in creating targeted treatment plans. For example if you are participating in a jumping sport like basketball, we know that you are repetitively using the quads for jumping. These muscles attach to the knee cap which then attach to the tibia at the tibial tuberosity. When this occurs too often the attachment at the bone becomes stressed and will form a build up of bone to try and solidify the area creating a bump. This can also become painful and set off the pain pathway to your brain. Nerves are stimulated, your brain is notified and a resultant chemical soup is sent to the area. This aims to protect the area. This swelling can sometimes delay the recovery process and that is why Physiotherapy is a great way to identify and then speed up that process.
How Physiotherapy Helps
- Pain Management: Techniques like manual therapy, dry needling, and ultrasound therapy.
- Exercise Therapy: Tailored exercises to strengthen the muscles and tendons around your knee, improve flexibility, and reduce pain.
- Education and Advice: Guidance on knee alignment and posture, suitable exercises, and preventive measures.
- Rehabilitation Programs: Personalised plans for recovery post-injury or surgery.
- Preventive Measures: Educating patients on how to avoid future knee problems.
Why Choose PhysioFlex for Knee Pain?
- Expert Team: Experienced physiotherapists specialised in knee conditions.
- Personalised Care: Treatment plans tailored to your specific needs.
- Holistic Approach: Focusing on the root cause of pain for long-term relief.
- Advanced Techniques: State-of-the-art facilities and the latest physiotherapy methods.
- Patient Education: Empowering you with knowledge for prevention and self-managements
Book Your Appointment
Don’t let knee pain hold you back. Contact us today to schedule your appointment and take the first step towards a pain-free life.
Or for More Information: Call 0755911816
Testimonials
Hear from our satisfied patients about their journey to recovery with PhysioFlex:
