Knee Pain

The knee is a pivotal joint that plays a crucial role in our ability to walk, run, and perform various physical activities. It is composed of the thigh bone (femur) and the shin bone (tibia). This joint is essential for stability, mobility, and force distribution, particularly during weight-bearing activities. The knee is integral to our overall movement and quality of life, making its health and functioning essential for daily activities and physical well-being.

When knee pain and injuries do arise, physiotherapy can serve as a great way to focus on pain relief, mobility restoration, and the prioritization of knee function.

Here’s how physiotherapy can help treat knee pain:

• Assessment: Physiotherapists aim to determine the underlying cause of your knee pain through physical examination, gait analysis, muscle testing, and functional evaluation.

• Manual Therapy: Physiotherapists will often employ techniques such as joint manipulation, stretching, and soft tissues mobilization. These are commonly used to prime the body before exercising.

• Exercise Prescription: Tailored exercises are designed to strengthen the muscles around the knee, improve joint stability, and restore flexibility.

• Therapeutic Modalities: To supplement exercise therapy, physiotherapists often apply modalities such as ice, heat, TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation), or therapeutic ultrasound. These can help reduce tissue damage, alleviate pain, and draw blood flow.

Examples of Conditions Physiotherapy Can Treat:

• Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome: This condition, often referred to as "runner's knee," involves pain around or behind the kneecap.

• Jumper’s Knee: Also known as patellar tendinopathy, jumper’s knee is a condition characterized by inflammation and irritation in the patellar tendon connecting the patella and the tibia.

• Knee Ligament Injuries: Physiotherapy plays a vital role in rehabilitating ligament injuries like ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) and MCL (medial collateral ligament).

• Meniscus Tears: Physiotherapists can help patients regain range of motion, strength, and stability following meniscus injuries.

• Osteoarthritis: Physiotherapy helps manage symptoms of knee osteoarthritis by improving joint function, reducing pain, and bettering overall patient outcomes.

Physiotherapy is an essential component in the treatment and management of knee injuries. Through a mix of hands-on therapy, exercise prescription, and therapeutic modalities alike, physiotherapy can help you enhance your knee’s health and functionality.