Knee Pain Treatment
Are you ready to kick knee pain to the curb?
WHAT IS KNEE PAIN?
The knee is a complex joint that connects the femur to the tibia. It plays an integral role in our mobility, movement, flexibility, and ability to perform many everyday activities (such as stepping and squatting). The joint is also composed of the kneecap (the patella) and the fibula (the smaller bone that runs alongside the tibia).
The joint is surrounded by an intricate network of ligaments, cartilage, tendons, muscles, nerves, and blood vessels. This provides stability to the knee, as well as further enables function, helps support body weight, and absorbs the shock created by movement.
When a single component of this impressive structure is injured or not working at its best, it may have a much larger effect on your body as a whole and result in knee pain.
CAUSES OF KNEE PAIN
The most common foot-related cause of knee pain is excessive foot flattening (or ‘pronation’), which may cause compression and abnormal loading in the knee. People who have high arched rigid feet may also experience knee pain, as their feet don’t absorb shock very well when they walk. This can also lead to pain when running.
Some physical conditions may cause knee pain, including:
- Osteoarthritis (pain, inflammation, and joint destruction caused by degeneration and deterioration)
- Tendinitis (pain in the front of the knee that is worsened by taking stairs, climbing, or walking up an incline)
- Rheumatiod arthritis
- Medial compartment pain
- Patellofemoral pain syndrome
- Chondromalacia patella (damaged cartilage under the kneecap)
- Rheumatoid arthritis (a chronic autoimmune inflammatory condition that causes painful swelling and, eventually, joint deformity and bone erosion)
- Dislocation
- Meniscus tear (a rupture in one or more of the cartilage in the knee)
- Torn ligament (a tear in one of the four ligaments in the knee, the most common of which is the anterior cruciate ligament or ACL)
- Bone tumors (osteosarcoma is the second most prevalent bone cancer and commonly occurs in the knee)
We also offer a range of Eastern Therapies which can help with all of these conditions plus:
- Meniscus tear
- Bursitis
- Gout or Pseudogout (more common knees than gout)
- Torn ligaments
- Quadriceps muscle tightness
SYMPTOMS OF KNEE PAIN
Depending on the cause of your knee pain, its location and severity may vary.
Symptoms may include:
- Prickling, burning, or tingling sensation in the joint
- Swelling and stiffness in the joint
- The knee may be red and warm to the touch
- Weakness or instability in the joint
- Popping or crunching noises when the knee is straightened or bent
- Inability to fully straighten the knee
- Frequent muscle spasms around the knee
Some people also experience pain in their calf, hip, shin, ankle, or thigh, or may see an obvious deformity in their knee.
Treatment For Knee Pain
To determine the cause of your knee pain, your podiatrist will likely perform a physical examination of your knee to look for swelling, pain, tenderness, warmth, and visible bruising. They may also check to see how far you can move your lower leg in different directions, push or pull on the joint, and examine your gait. In some cases, they may refer you for an x-ray, ultrasound, or MRI to get a better picture of the knee structure.
Treatment will vary depending on the cause of your knee pain. Some of the treatment methods your podiatrist may recommend include:
- Physical therapy, including exercises to strengthen the muscles around the knee and make it more stable
- Shockwave therapy is a simple walk-in, walk-out procedure, and results are often seen in a few sessions
- Orthotics and/or knee braces to help shift pressure away from the side of the knee that is most affected
In some cases, your podiatrist may recommend you see an orthopedic surgeon as the best option for you. There are a few surgical options depending on the injury or condition, including arthroscopic surgery, partial knee replacement, and total knee replacement.
Your Knee Pain Questions Answered
Can knee pain be prevented?
While there is no way to completely prevent knee pain from occurring, there are some ways that you may be able to reduce your risk. These include:
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Engaging in regular exercise to strengthen the muscles around the knee and make them less prone to injury
- Using proper form and technique during physical activity
- Wearing appropriate footwear
- Giving yourself time to rest and recover between activities
How long does it take to recover from knee pain?
Most people tend to see the biggest change in their pain within the first couple of weeks of treatment. In many cases, problems may improve within six weeks. More severe cases may take up to nine months or even longer to recover.
Who is likely to experience knee pain?
Anyone may experience knee pain; however, there are a few risk factors that may make someone more likely to. This includes people of an older age, who have a low fitness level, who are overweight, and/or who perform certain jobs or activities that involve repetitive twisting of the knee.
Are there any potential complications of knee pain?
Although not all knee pain is serious, it should be noted that some knee injuries and medical conditions (such as osteoarthritis) may lead to increasing pain and joint damage if left untreated. This is why knee pain of any kind should not be ignored.
WHY CAPITAL PODIATRY?
Patient Care Model
We want to do whatever we can to address our clients’ foot-related problems and see them return to doing the things they love.Multidisciplinary Approach
Over the years, we’ve expanded our focus to cover several areas of podiatry (including dry needling, fascial release, shockwave therapy, joint mobilising and rehabilitation exercises) to ensure that we have a range of treatment options available.Innovation Focused
We’re always on the lookout for new treatment methods to ensure that our patients receive the very best level of care possible. You’re never too old to learn and love when our team upskills!Address Your Knee Pain Today
Knee pain is an often debilitating condition that may affect numerous aspects of your life. Activities that you used to love and even need to perform, such as standing up after watching television or driving to work, may become anxiety-inducing or even impossible.
This is why the team at Capital Podiatry is committed to tailoring a treatment solution that aims to target the cause of your knee pain and seeks to help you improve functionality wherever possible. Get in touch with one of our friendly podiatrists today.
TAKE THE FIRST STEP
Every journey starts with a single step, there’s no need to suffer any longer.
Make an appointment with our experienced podiatrists today.