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We can treat your knee pain
Whether it prevents us from bending down, climbing stairs, running or sitting down for long periods of time or even sleeping, knee pain is the all-too-common affliction of the 21st century. Knee pain can range from mild to severe and may be felt on the inside or outside of the area, however, one thing remains the same for every person suffering: it is an aggravating issue that can impact your quality of life.
What are the Causes of Knee Pain?
There are many causes of knee pain, however, the most common one is injury to the area. Injuries can affect any part of the knee, including the ligaments, tendons, cartilage, and bones. A sudden accident, such as a fall or sports injury, can cause knee pain.
Overuse of the knee joint can also cause pain and discomfort in the knee. This is especially common in athletes and people who engage in high-impact activities such as running, jumping, and squatting.
Arthritis is a common cause of knee pain, especially in older adults. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis that affects the knee joint. It is a degenerative condition that occurs when the cartilage in the knee joint breaks down, leading to pain and inflammation. Rheumatoid arthritis is another type of arthritis that can affect the knee joint.
Finally, obesity can cause knee pain as excess weight puts additional stress on weight-bearing joints. When you walk across level ground, the force exerted on your knees is 1.5 times your body weight, so someone weighing 200 pounds will put 300 pounds of pressure on their knees with every step. For more information about obesity and knee pain, including how even a small weight loss will carry great effects, click here.
Because knee pain is caused by inflammation, many people resort to painkillers for short-term relief. However, instead of tackling the root issue, painkillers can cause more harm than good, as they mask pain when the body is trying to communicate with them. This is why painkillers are not an effective long-term solution to knee pain.
What is Runners / Joggers Knee?
This term is used to describe discomfort and pain around and behind the kneecap, and the inner part of the knee. Patello-Femoral Pain (PFP as it is medically known) results from the altered movement of the kneecap as a result of an imbalance in the thigh muscles.
This condition used to be known as Chondromalacia Patellae. The thigh muscles can become imbalanced due to over-reliance on the outer muscles. This can be the result of over-training, lifestyle or a loss of height in the arches of your feet. This movement, or mal-tracking, of the kneecap, causes pain as the cartilage becomes worn in an uneven pattern.
Pain is often felt during or shortly after exercise, or when squatting or kneeling down. Symptoms may also be felt when walking downstairs or downhill and even, in some cases, just sitting. The knee may swell and feel hot, and a grinding or clicking sound may be heard when the knee bends.
Can we help with your knee pain?
Yes – most knee pain can be resolved by a short course of treatments at our clinic. We use techniques such as soft tissue massage, stretching, and joint mobilisation to reduce inflammation in and around the knee joint.
We can also help by identifying and addressing any imbalances or dysfunctions in the musculoskeletal system that may be contributing to knee pain. For example, if there is a muscle imbalance in the hip or ankle, this can put extra stress on the knee joint and lead to pain.
Finally, our team can provide advice on exercises and lifestyle modifications that can help to prevent further knee pain and promote healing. In some cases, the use of prescription orthotics will be recommended, if poor foot mechanics are a factor in your condition.
Although people with knee pain benefit from resting the affected area, there is promising new evidence that activities such as walking can ward off knee pain – while strengthening the area in turn (read more here). This is one is the reasons why we want to get you back on your feet and moving again as soon as possible.
We hope that you will take control of your knee pain and start getting back to your normal self today. Book an appointment to see us in the Avenue Health clinic today.
