Knee Pain
If you’re dealing with knee pain and don’t know where to turn next, don’t hesitate to call us at MORGAiN Physical Therapy. Let us help you get back on track and return to doing what you love, pain-free.
What Is Knee Pain ?
The knee is a complex joint that connects the thigh bone to the shin bone and includes other structures such as ligaments, tendons, and cartilage. Pain in this area can range from a minor ache to severe discomfort that significantly impacts mobility and quality of life, especially if you do not get the correct knee pain treatment.
Common causes of knee pain include injuries like ligament tears, meniscus tears, and fractures. Overuse injuries, such as tendinitis and bursitis, are also frequent, particularly in athletes or individuals with physically demanding jobs. Degenerative conditions like osteoarthritis can lead to chronic knee pain, characterized by joint stiffness, swelling, and reduced range of motion.
Knee pain can either be chronic or acute. Chronic knee pain is long-lasting and persists even after the root cause of the pain has gone. Acute pain is short-lived sudden knee pain that can be felt following an injury to the joints or soft tissue surrounding your knee.
Knee pain at night is common, with studies showing that osteoarthritis-related knee pain can cause sleep difficulties. The constant fatigue that can accompany chronic knee pain, can be another undesirable consequence of knee pain.
What Are The Symptoms Of Knee Pain ?
Symptoms of knee pain can vary but often include swelling, stiffness, redness, warmth to the touch, and difficulty bearing weight on the affected leg. The pain might worsen with activities such as walking, climbing stairs, or sitting for extended periods.
One of the most common symptoms is pain around the knee joint, which can be localized to a specific area such as the front, sides, or back of the knee, or it may be more diffuse. This pain can range from a dull ache to sharp, severe discomfort and may worsen with physical activities such as walking, running, or climbing stairs. In some cases, the pain might be present even at rest or during the night, disrupting sleep and daily activities.
Swelling is another frequent symptom associated with knee pain. This swelling can occur immediately after an injury or develop gradually over time. The knee may appear visibly enlarged or feel puffy to the touch, and the skin around the knee might feel warm. Swelling can contribute to a feeling of tightness and reduce the knee’s range of motion, making it difficult to bend or straighten the leg fully.
Stiffness and reduced range of motion are also common symptoms. Stiffness can make it challenging to move the knee freely, particularly after periods of inactivity such as sitting or lying down. This can lead to difficulty performing everyday tasks that involve bending or extending the knee, such as getting up from a chair, climbing stairs, or squatting.
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What Is Our Approach To Treating Knee Pain ?
If you’re suffering from knee pain, you’ve probably tried many of these things. You may have gotten an injection, may have used pain medicine, or may have had surgery already. You’ve probably seen many different providers that have told you many different things that are going on with your knee.
Unlike other practitioners, our approach to fixing knee pain is comprehensive and individualized, aiming to alleviate pain, restore function, and prevent future issues. We start with a thorough assessment to understand the specific cause of the knee pain. This includes taking a detailed medical history, conducting a physical examination, and evaluating movement patterns, strength, flexibility, and range of motion.
Based on the assessment, we develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your condition and goals. Pain management is often the initial focus, using modalities such as heat, ice, ultrasound, or shockwave to reduce pain and inflammation. Heat helps relax tight muscles, while ice reduces swelling. Manual therapy, including joint mobilizations and soft tissue massage, is used to relieve pain, improve circulation, and enhance joint mobility.
Therapeutic exercises are a cornerstone of our treatment approach. Strengthening exercises target the muscles around the knee, such as the quadriceps, hamstrings, and calf muscles, to provide better support and stability to the joint. Stretching exercises improve flexibility and reduce muscle tightness, while a range of motion exercises help restore normal joint function and reduce stiffness. These exercises are carefully tailored to your individual needs and abilities.
Posture and gait training are essential components of our treatment plan. We educate patients on proper posture and body mechanics to reduce strain on the knee during daily activities. Gait training involves analyzing and correcting walking patterns to ensure proper movement and reduce pain. This may involve the temporary use of assistive devices like crutches or a cane.
Education and self-management are vital for long-term success. We provide information about the condition, the importance of adhering to the treatment plan, and strategies for managing pain at home. Regular reassessment allows us to monitor the patient’s progress and adjust the treatment plan as needed to ensure optimal outcomes.
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