ne of the most common physical complaints that adults will experience is knee pain, as this is a particularly vulnerable joint that takes on a lot of stress and strain through normal everyday activities like kneeling down and lifting objects, as well as other high-impact pursuits like running.
A lot of the problems you might experience with your knees are just down to the natural ageing process, with wear and tear on the joints over time leading to conditions like arthritis. However, knee concerns can also be down to injury or sudden movements that lead to strain.
Common knee complaints you might experience include:
Sprains & strains
Knee sprains and strains often happen when a blow or twist to the joint occurs. Symptoms include swelling, pain and trouble walking.
Tendonitis
Overuse of tendons in the knee can lead to tendonitis, where inflammation occurs. Activities like running, cycling or jumping can cause such issues.
Torn cartilage
Cartilage tears are also common and can be very painful, where the connective tissue that serves as shock absorbers in the knee are damaged. In serious cases, surgery may be required.
Arthritis
As mentioned, arthritis can often affect the knee, with the cartilage wearing away over time. Excess joint stress and being overweight can both increase the risks.
How can physio help with knee pain?
Your physio will carry out a thorough physical examination to find out what’s causing your knee pain, before giving you a series of exercises to help restore strength, mobility and range of motion.
Treatment programmes will largely depend on what the initial assessment reveals, but it’s likely that soft tissue manipulation and manual therapy will be required, alongside specific strengthening exercises. Core strengthening may also be advised to help reduce pressure on the knees and the rest of your lower body.
If you’d like to find out more about physiotherapy for knee pain, get in touch with the Clear Physio team today.
