Knee Pain

More orthopedic surgery happens on knees than any other joint. From ACL Repairs and Meniscectomies to Total Knee Replacements, surgeries happen all the time. Consider PT first because, with the right treatment, surgery can often be avoided. And even if you end up having surgery, you’ll start stronger and recover more quickly because you had PT.
ACL Tears
- More evidence is emerging that the majority of people can “cope” without an ACL and return to previous activity levels. (John Elway tore his ACL in high school and played his college and NFL career without it)
Meniscus Tears
- Meniscus tears are common in non-painful knees
- But if the knee is locking, or giving way, that’s a good indication that the meniscus has a significant tear. Whether it heals with PT or not depends on the location and size of the tear and the overall health of the joint.
Medial and Lateral Collateral Ligament tears
- Both respond really well to PT and heal with relative rest
Osteoarthritis
- Total Knee Replacements can be delayed by strengthening the muscles around the knee to correct muscle imbalances or by improving mobility of the joint. And if you do have a replacement, PT is key to returning to full function after surgery.
These conditions respond well to Physical Therapy and almost never require surgery:
- Bursitis
- More commonly referred to as “Water on the Knee”
- IT Band Syndrome
- Outside of knee pain
- Runner’s Knee or Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
- Front of knee pain
- Jumper’s Knee or Patellar Tendinopathy
- Front of knee pain
- Infrapatellar Branch of Saphenous Nerve Entrapment
- Commonly overlooked cause of medial knee pain
Knee problems are common, and, over the years, we’ve learned a lot about how to treat them. Often, we look beyond the knee to evaluate how movements at the hip, the lower back and the ankle affect the knee. Correcting faulty movement patterns and working on strength and stability can make many knee problems a thing of the past. If you struggle with knee pain or stiffness, we are here to help. Our experience makes all the difference.