Knee pain is one of the most common conditions people of all ages may experience. Factors that may cause this condition include wear and tear from age, direct trauma to the knee from accidents, medical conditions, etc. The discomfort felt in the knee can range from mild to severe, preventing the affected individual from carrying out their daily activities comfortably.
Knee pain can be recurring. It might get better when you are at rest and hurt when participating in activities that cause you to move or put pressure on it. There are several treatment methods available for knee pain. However, physical therapy in Fort Worth is one of the best non-invasive methods to treat knee pain. This article will discuss the best therapy for knee pain at Barkman and Smith Physical Therapy.
What are the Causes of Knee Pain?
The following are factors that may cause knee pain:
- Injuries: If you are in an accident, sport, or other activity that causes direct trauma to the knee, you are likely to get injuries that may lead to knee pain. Knee injuries may affect the tendons, ligaments, and bursae around your knee joints. They may even affect the cartilage, bones, and ligaments that make up the knee joints. Knee injuries that may lead to severe knee pain include anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, knee bursitis, patellar tendinitis, torn meniscus, fractures, etc.
- Aging: The knee deteriorates as we age, like every other body part and system. This deterioration is due to the wear and tear of the cartilage and joints of the knee that occur with time. Old age also makes people susceptible to medical conditions, such as osteoarthritis, that may affect the knee and cause pain.
- Overuse: Repeated stress on the knee from physical activities such as sports, exercises, and work can cause knee pain. These activities can lead to a dislocated kneecap, loose body, Iliotibial band syndrome, fracture, strain, or sprain. These conditions can make you feel intense discomfort in your knees.
- Medical conditions: Knee pain can also have causes not due to injuries from accidents, overuse, or aging. Underlying medical conditions may also cause chronic knee pain in some individuals. Some medical conditions that can cause chronic knee pain include degenerative tissue disorders (osteoarthritis), auto-inflammatory disease (rheumatoid arthritis), gout, pseudogout, septic arthritis, tendinitis, infections, Osgood-Schlatter disease, cancer, etc.
Factors that put you at risk of knee pain include excess weight, previous knee injury, physically tasking sports or occupation, inadequate muscle flexibility and strength, etc.
Symptoms of Knee Pain
Apart from the intense pain you might be feeling, the following are signs and symptoms of knee pain:
- Weakness and instability in the knee
- Difficulty bending and straightening the knee at will
- Swelling and stiffness
- Inflammation and redness
- Popping or clicking sensations
Treatment Methods for Knee Pain
There are several treatment methods for knee pain, depending on the cause and severity of your discomfort. However, physical therapy is one of the most efficient and non-invasive treatments for knee pain in Bed Fort, TX.
Physical Therapy for Knee Pain
Physical therapy is a healthcare profession that aims to improve and restore mobility and functional movement in individuals who have suffered injury through non-invasive and holistic methods. The following are the procedures involved in knee pain and back pain therapy in Fort Worth, TX:
Comprehensive Assessment
The first step to managing knee pain through physical therapy is a comprehensive assessment. Your physical therapist will thoroughly examine your knee and its function to determine the cause of pain and the most suitable treatment plan.
Treatment Plans
Building an individualized treatment plan is the second step after a comprehensive treatment plan. After your physical therapist evaluates your knee comprehensively, they will curate a suitable treatment plan to rebuild your leg’s strength and restore functional movement in your knee. A physical therapy treatment plan for knee pain typically involves exercises, hands-on therapy, and other techniques.
Exercises involved in physical therapy for knee pain include:
- Strengthening exercises: Exercises that strengthen the knee can significantly reduce the symptoms of knee pain. Some knee-strengthening exercises include half squats, calf raises, hamstring curls, straight leg extensions, straight leg raises, prone leg raises, etc.
- Stretching exercises: Gentle stretching exercises strengthen the muscles supporting the knee joints. They also increase your knee’s flexibility and range of motion, making it easier to move your knee. Some of the best stretching exercises for knee pain include heel and calf stretch, quadriceps stretch, hamstring stretch, etc.
Other low-impact exercises that may help to improve knee pain include swimming, cycling, walking, yoga, tai chi, etc.
Pain Management
Your physical therapist may teach you some pain management techniques and suggest some other modalities to relieve chronic pain. Some modalities include heat or ice therapy, braces or other assistive devices, and painkillers.
Manual Therapy
In addition to the above methods, your physical therapist may employ a hands-on technique to relieve knee pain and improve your knee function. Massage, a manual therapy technique, can ease knee pain and restore proper motion.
Other treatment modalities for knee pain physical therapy include ultrasound, electrical stimulation, knee joint mobilization, kinesiology taping, etc.
Conclusion
Knee pain is destabilizing as it affects your daily activities and decreases your overall quality of life. However, you do not have to live with this condition because you can manage your knee pain without surgery. If you are experiencing severe pain and discomfort in your knee, you should see a physical therapist at Barkman and Smith Physical Therapy.