Have you had difficulty walking or climbing stairs recently? Are your knees the culprit behind your discomfort?
There are many knee pain causes, such as injury to the area or arthritis as a result of age and overuse. However, it’s important to determine exactly what is causing your knee pain so you can be equipped to treat it properly.
Let’s take a look at the possible causes of your knee pain before exploring a proven treatment method: physiotherapy.
Knee Injuries
Injury to the tendons, muscles or bones of the knee is one of the most common causes of knee pain. An ACL tear, for instance, is when one of the four ligaments connecting the shinbone to the thigh bone is severed. This specific injury is most common in athletes, as a result of their constant back-and-forth movement and rapid change in direction.
Similar to an ACL tear, a torn meniscus occurs mainly in athletes as a result of sudden movement or jerking of the body in a different direction than the knee is facing. The cartilage that is in between the shinbone and the thigh bone gets torn, leading to substantial pain and lack of mobility. In some cases, a torn meniscus can happen in older adults who have age-related degeneration of the knee.
A fracture of the bones in the knee, such as the patella (kneecap), is more serious than a muscle injury and almost always requires surgery. An injury to this extent is usually the result of a motor vehicle accident or a serious fall. Again, individuals in a higher age bracket who have a degenerative disease, such as osteoporosis, can sustain a fracture by simply moving the wrong way.
Arthritis of the knee
While an injury to the bones or tendons are common knee pain causes (and typically occur in athletes or physically active people), arthritis pain is the chief source of knee discomfort in older adults. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and occurs as a result of wear-and-tear of the knee after decades of use. Eventually, the cartilage between the bones will start to deteriorate and cause pain and swelling.
Rheumatoid arthritis is another type of arthritis that is much more serious and painful, since it is technically classified as an autoimmune condition. Those who suffer from this disease can be of any age and may present with joint pain throughout their body, from their wrists to their knees.
How physiotherapy can help
Treating knee pain is commonly addressed with a step-by-step approach that involves isolating the cause and determining an appropriate treatment method. While there are a variety of medications and surgeries that are effective, many opt for a less invasive and more holistic treatment plan. Physiotherapy has emerged as a top choice for individuals in the latter category, as it is a healthcare profession that is dedicated to the prevention, restoration and long-term care of its patients.
A physiotherapist will pinpoint the exact cause of the knee injury and create a personalized treatment plan aimed at pain relief and restoration of the knee. Manual therapy, such as joint manipulation, will usually be the physiotherapist’s first attempt at isolating and relieving acute pain. In the case of knee pain, the physiotherapist will perform a combination of manual techniques such as massaging, rotating and stretching the knee joint to improve mobility and reduce pain.
Therapeutic ultrasound is another form of treatment that involves the physiotherapist massaging a special gel onto the affected knee before applying an ultrasound probe to the area. The heat from the probe will increase blood flow, reduce inflammation and promote healing.
Physiotherapists may also employ electrical stimulation to reduce knee pain in the short-term. Although it might be scary-sounding, this treatment is very safe and virtually painless. The physiotherapist will use a device, such as a TENS machine, to deliver small electrical pulses to the area of your knee in pain. It is believed that these impulses will block the pain receptors from sending signals to your brain, thus relieving pain.
Your first session
If you’re considering physiotherapy to relieve your knee pain, you should be prepared for what your first session will look and feel like. After you describe the extent and severity of your knee pain, along with any other health conditions that may impact treatment, your physiotherapist will perform an assessment to determine mobility and pain levels.
Following the initial assessment, your physiotherapist will work with you to come up with a treatment plan that takes your needs and goals into consideration. Pain relief will always be the priority, but your physiotherapist will also suggest a plan that includes exercises to prevent further injuries.
Finding a physiotherapist
Now that you have all the information on knee pain causes and how physiotherapy can help, it’s time to find a physiotherapist and start treatment.
Located in Lower Sackville, NS, Empower Physical Rehabilitation will help you achieve your treatment goals. Our certified physiotherapists will work with you at every step of the way, ensuring you feel comfortable throughout the entire process.
Call us at 902-865-8100 or visit our
website
and fill out our contact form to get in touch with our team today!