Nagging knee pain can significantly impact your daily activities—making tasks like walking, climbing stairs, or getting up from a chair difficult. Common orthopedic conditions such as patellar tendinopathy, arthritis, ligament sprains, meniscus tears, and bursitis are frequent causes of knee discomfort, but the good news is that these conditions are treatable! Here’s a closer look at each condition and how our physical therapy services can help you regain mobility and comfort.
Knee Arthritis
Knee arthritis leads to discomfort and stiffness in the joint, affecting daily movements. It can result from the natural aging process (osteoarthritis) or from inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. Symptoms may include aching, swelling, and a decreased range of motion, making activities like bending or straightening the knee challenging.
How Bodyworks Physical Therapy Can Help with Knee Arthritis:
- Joint Mobility Exercises: Gentle exercises maintain and enhance knee flexibility, reducing stiffness and improving overall joint function.
- Muscle Strengthening Programs: We develop targeted strengthening exercises for the muscles surrounding the knee, which helps provide better support and relieve joint stress.
- Education on Joint Protection: We teach you effective strategies to reduce strain on the knee during daily tasks, helping you manage arthritis while remaining active.
Patellar Tendinopathy (Jumper’s Knee)
Patellar tendinopathy, often referred to as “jumper’s knee,” is characterized by irritation of the tendon connecting the kneecap to the shinbone. This condition often develops from repetitive stress associated with sports activities involving jumping, running, or squatting. Symptoms typically include pain just below the kneecap, especially during movements like going downstairs or sitting for extended periods.
How Bodyworks Physical Therapy Can Help with Jumper’s Knee:
- Progressive Loading Exercises: Tailored exercise programs gradually increase stress on the tendon to promote healing and restore function.
- Eccentric Training: Focusing on controlled lengthening of the tendon during activities helps to alleviate pain and improve flexibility.
- Activity Modification: We collaborate with you to modify your activities, allowing your tendon to heal while keeping you active.
Ligament Sprains
Knee ligament sprains—such as injuries to the ACL, MCL, or LCL—often occur due to sports activities or sudden falls. These ligaments play a crucial role in stabilizing the knee, and sprains can result in pain, swelling, and difficulty with mobility. Prompt treatment is essential to avoid long-term issues.
How Bodyworks Physical Therapy Can Help with Ligament Sprains:
- Stabilization Exercises: Focused exercises restore strength and stability to the knee, promoting healing and preventing re-injury.
- Balance and Coordination Training: We enhance your balance and proprioception to support knee stability during movements and reduce the risk of future injuries.
- Functional Movement Training: Our team guides you through movements tailored to your specific activities, ensuring you return to them safely and confidently.
Meniscus Tears
A meniscus tear involves injury to the cartilage that cushions the knee joint, often occurring during twisting motions or direct impacts in sports. Symptoms can include pain, swelling, and a locking sensation in the knee, making movement difficult.
How Bodyworks Physical Therapy Can Help with Meniscus Tears:
- Strengthening Exercises: We focus on building strength in the surrounding muscles to provide better support to the knee and promote healing.
- Flexibility and Range of Motion Training: Gentle exercises help maintain flexibility and reduce stiffness, improving overall function.
- Guided Rehabilitation: Our therapists design personalized rehabilitation programs to restore mobility and confidence in your knee.
Bursitis
Knee bursitis occurs when the small, fluid-filled sacs (bursae) that cushion the knee joint become inflamed. This condition can result from repetitive motion, prolonged kneeling, or direct trauma. Symptoms often include swelling, tenderness, and pain in the affected area, making it challenging to move the knee comfortably.
How Bodyworks Physical Therapy Can Help with Bursitis:
- Anti-inflammatory Techniques: We utilize manual therapy techniques to reduce inflammation and relieve pain, allowing for improved mobility.
- Strengthening and Flexibility Exercises: Focused exercises help build strength in the muscles around the knee while maintaining flexibility to support joint function.
- Education on Activity Modification: We help you adjust your activities to avoid aggravating the bursae while still allowing you to stay active.
Why Choose Bodyworks Physical Therapy to Help with Knee Pain?
At Bodyworks Physical Therapy, we are committed to delivering individualized care using evidence-based practices to help you alleviate knee pain, enhance mobility, and improve your quality of life. If knee pain is limiting your activities, contact us today to begin your journey to recovery!
Stay active and healthy,
The Bodyworks Physical Therapy Team