Knee Pain Specialist

What causes knee pain?

Knee pain happens for a few main reasons, including:

Injury

Sports injuries, such as anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears, kneecap dislocations, tendon tears, and meniscus tears, are a common reason for knee pain. 

Most sports injuries in the knee happen suddenly, with a bad landing or sharp movement. But wear and tear over time can contribute to weakening and breakdown, which then leads to the injury.

Arthritis

Arthritis is an extremely common reason for knee pain. Osteoarthritis occurs when the protective covering (cartilage) between bones in the knees breaks down over many years, and it primarily affects older people. However, it can also begin earlier in life. 

Rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease that causes joint deformity, is also a common reason for knee pain.

Injuries and arthritis can both lead to mechanical issues — problems with the way your knee moves and functions — which then make knee pain even worse. One common example is loose bodies, small bits of cartilage or bone that separate from the joint. These loose bodies can then disrupt joint movement and cause knee pain.

Sometimes, the cause of knee pain actually starts somewhere else in your body. For example, if you have foot pain, you might change your walking pattern to lighten pressure on your painful foot. This uneven gait can then increase the pressure on one of your knees, causing you pain. 

When do I need treatment for knee pain?

If you have knee pain that persists after a few days of rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE) at home, it’s time to seek professional help. Any knee pain that changes the way you walk or keeps you off your feet needs prompt attention. 

Untreated knee pain can cause long-term issues that affect your whole body, such as balance problems, poor coordination, and difficulty doing simple tasks like climbing stairs or rising from a seated position.

Starting knee pain treatment sooner rather than later can help you get ahead of the issue and prevent its progression. 

How is knee pain treated?

At Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation, the team of experts uses both traditional and cutting-edge noninvasive approaches to relieve your pain and restore your knee function. Some of the different treatments include:

• Ice and heat therapy
• Chiropractic adjustments
• Soft tissue mobilization
• Passive range-of-motion exercises
• Resistive range-of-motion exercises
• Foam roller exercises
• Graston Technique® 
• Game Ready® cryotherapy
• Trigger point dry needling (TDN)
• Therapeutic ultrasound
• Therapeutic massage
• Electrical stimulation
• Custom orthotic inserts
• Cupping
• Pilates back program 

The team designs a fully customized recovery plan to ease your knee pain. You also receive extensive education about your injury or disease, allowing you to work hand-in-hand with the Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation team as you recover. 

For knee pain help, call Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation, or book an appointment online now.