Understanding Knee Pain
Knee pain affects people of all ages and activity levels, from athletes to office workers. As one of the largest and most complex joints in your body, the knee is vulnerable to a variety of conditions that can limit your mobility and impact your quality of life.
The Complex Knee Joint
Your knee joint consists of four main components:
- Bones (femur, tibia, fibula, and patella)
- Cartilage (meniscus and articular cartilage)
- Ligaments (ACL, PCL, MCL, and LCL)
- Tendons (including the quadriceps and patellar tendons)
This intricate structure allows for movement while supporting your body weight, but it also creates multiple potential sources of pain when something goes wrong.
Common Causes of Knee Pain
Knee pain can result from various conditions, including:
- Osteoarthritis: Wear and tear of the cartilage causing pain, stiffness, and swelling
- Meniscus Tears: Damage to the shock-absorbing cartilage, often during twisting movements
- Ligament Injuries: Sprains or tears of the ACL, PCL, MCL, or LCL
- Tendonitis: Inflammation of the tendons, especially from overuse
- Bursitis: Inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs that cushion the knee joint
- Patellar Misalignment: Improper tracking of the kneecap during movement
- IT Band Syndrome: Irritation of the iliotibial band running from hip to knee
Beyond the Knee: The Kinetic Chain
Interestingly, knee pain doesn’t always originate in the knee itself. Research has shown that dysfunction in the hip, ankle, or foot can alter your biomechanics and place excess stress on your knee joint. This is why a comprehensive assessment of your entire “kinetic chain” is essential for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.
Our Approach
When you visit our office with knee pain, we conduct a thorough evaluation of not just your knee, but your entire lower extremity movement patterns. Based on current research published in the Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, addressing contributing factors throughout the kinetic chain leads to better outcomes than focusing solely on the painful area.
Your personalized treatment plan may include:
- Joint mobilization to improve knee, hip, and ankle mechanics
- Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization to address muscle and fascial tension
- Shockwave therapy to accelerate healing in damaged tissues
- Laser therapy to reduce inflammation and pain
- Therapeutic exercises to correct movement imbalances and build strength
- Biomechanical assessment and gait training
Prevention Strategies
To reduce your risk of knee pain or prevent recurrence:
- Maintain a healthy weight to reduce stress on your knees
- Strengthen the muscles supporting your knees, especially quadriceps and hamstrings
- Use proper technique during physical activities
- Wear appropriate footwear for your activities and foot type
- Avoid sudden increases in exercise intensity or duration
- Include flexibility exercises in your routine
Many knee conditions respond well to conservative care when addressed early. If you’re experiencing knee pain that persists beyond a few days or interferes with your daily activities, we encourage you to schedule an evaluation rather than continuing to compensate for the pain.