The knee is a remarkably strong and flexible joint. It enables a wide range of motion in your lower legs but also supports nearly your entire body weight. So when a knee injury occurs, it’s hard not to feel it. When you have knee pain, you can feel it with every step you take. That can make daily activities painful. With knee pain, even getting out of bed can be an ordeal!
In many cases, knee pain can be addressed by physical therapy. The sooner you address your knee pain, the faster you’ll be able to get back to activities like walking around the block, hitting the gym, or shopping for groceries.
What Causes Knee Pain?
Knee pain can make moving (or sometimes even sitting) very painful. But what causes the pain in the first place? When answering this question, it’s important to remember that your knee is a complex joint which incorporates muscle, ligaments, tendons, and cartilage. In other words, your knee pain could be caused by a wide variety of issues.
Some of the most common causes of knee pain, however, include the following:
- Injury: Any part of the knee can become injured (sometimes in a traumatic event such as a car accident, sometimes from overuse, and sometimes from a combination of both). Common examples of knee injuries include ACL tears, meniscus tears, and damage to the bone itself. As with any other joint, your knee is also susceptible to strains and sprains.
- Osteoarthritis: As you age, the cartilage in your joints starts to break down. This can lead to friction in your joints and result in a condition known as osteoarthritis. There are other forms of arthritis that can impact your knee, but this is the most common. Osteoarthritis can make moving your knee (or even sitting) painful.
- Mechanical issues: In some cases, the cause of knee pain is due to change in the way the joint functions. For example, a piece of bone or cartilage can become lodged in your knee joint and cause friction and pain. Or, pain in the foot or leg can change the way you walk. This change in your gait can lead to new stressors on the knee, eventually causing knee pain.
Knowing the cause of your pain can help you determine the best possible treatment plan. If you experience knee pain, you should talk to your provider about the best way to proceed.
Caring for Your Knee Injury
The best way to care for a knee injury is to avoid one in the first place. This isn’t always possible, of course, but there are some ways that you can lower your knee pain risks. For example, you can:
- Stretch thoroughly before and after you exercise.
- Make sure that your leg muscles are strong enough for activity.
- Try to keep your weight under control.
In many cases, however, knee injuries may still occur. When it comes to treating your knee pain, your provider may recommend at-home care or medical intervention, depending on the source of your pain.
Home Care for Your Knee Pain
When caring for your knee pain at home, there are some things you can do to help minimize the pain you’re feeling.
- Rest and ice your knee: If your knee is painful when you move it, then try to limit how often you’re moving it every day. You can also try icing your knee (15 minutes on and off a few times throughout the day). This can help minimize swelling and give your body some time to heal.
- Avoid high-impact activities: Sometimes, knee pain is your body’s way of letting you know that you are on the verge of an injury. As a result, you should avoid high impact activities, such as running or kickboxing.
- But don’t become completely inactive: It will still be important to keep your body moving. Ask your provider about low impact ways you can stay active (or, at least, active enough).
Your doctor may tell you to manage your knee pain with over the counter pain medication. However, it’s important to note that this is only ever supposed to be temporary. Taking OTC pain meds for a long period of time can mask your symptoms and, eventually, make your injury worse.
Medical Care for Knee Pain
In some cases, it will not be possible to treat your knee pain at home, and your provider may recommend medical intervention. This can include physical therapy, medication, or even surgery. You and your provider will develop a treatment plan that meaningfully addresses your symptoms.
How Physical Therapy Can Help Your Knee Pain
Physical therapy is one of the most common ways to treat knee pain. In general, physical therapy works in two ways:
- Improving your range of motion: This will have two significant impacts on patients. First, improving your range of motion can help to minimize pain and improve your mobility. Second, a future knee injury will become less likely. (Many people who experience one joint injury experience higher risks of further injuries, so this is important.)
- Improving your muscle strength: The muscles of your legs support your knee. The weaker these muscles are, the more prone to an injury you may be. Improved muscle strength can help you recover from injuries more quickly and, in some cases, avoid surgical treatment down the road.
Physical therapy can help you heal more fully and more quickly. It’s important to talk to your provider about what your physical therapy may entail and what you should expect moving forward.
Talk to Your Doctor
If you are experiencing knee pain, it’s important to get it checked out right away. At Diaspo, we have decades of experience helping knee pain patients address their symptoms, improve their mobility, and get back to their daily life. Schedule an appointment today!
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