In the last twenty years or so, there has been a significant rise in the incidence of knee pain-related conditions, with 25% of adults in the U.S. being affected. These conditions make it difficult for the person to walk and rob many of their joy across America.
The good news is you can visit Oklahoma Physical Therapy and talk to our certified and highly experienced physical therapists who can give you the care, assistance, and tools to take control of your knee pain and get back to doing what you love.
Causes of Knee Pain
The underlying causes of knee pain can either create light pain or chronic pain. Some major ones include:
- Arthritis (which can be related to decreased circulation)
- Mechanical Deficiencies (Based on muscular weakness, poor habits, and/or your body’s structure)
- Structural Damage/Injury (Muscle, Tendon, Ligament, Meniscus, Cartilage, etc -see below)
Types of Knee Pain
Our physical therapists are trained to handle all types of knee pain regardless of the underlying cause. The types of knee pain are named based on the area around the knee where the patient is experiencing the pain. They include:
- Muscle/Tendon strain/tear – Occurs during a single event or over time due to overload stress. Pain can be sharp, dull, or aching, and can be on any side of the knee. Common regions for this type of pain include: Lateral knee pain (Iliotibial Band/lateral Quadriceps), Medial knee pain (Medial Hamstrings, Medial Quadriceps), Anterior knee pain (Patellofemoral Tendon, Quadriceps Tendon – both connect to the kneecap/Patella)
- Ligament Sprain/tear – Occurs after an excessive stretch (change of direction, twisting/strong muscle contraction on planted foot, etc) or direct blow. This can cause swelling, sharp pain, soreness, or a feeling of instability.
- Meniscus tear – Occurs during a single event or over time. This can cause local tenderness, sharp pain, and feeling of instability.
- Osteoarthritis pain – Occurs due to the cartilage between the bones at the knee wearing down due to several variables. This type begins as a light pain but develops into chronic knee pain if left unchecked.
How Our Physical Therapists Can Help
The trained therapists at Oklahoma Physical Therapy will conduct a thorough examination and analysis of your symptoms and medical history to come up with a customized treatment regimen that will best work for you. Our knee pain treatments typically include individualized and specific exercises, manual therapy, inflammation-control techniques, and self-care instructions.
The passionate and highly trained physical therapists at Oklahoma Physical Therapy will ensure that your legs regain their optimal function. Contact us today and book an appointment at https://oklahomaphysicaltherapy.com/make-appointment.