ARTICLES
Knee Pain
Knee pain is one of the most common problems we see in the physiotherapy clinic. It can be the result of acute trauma, as often seen in high impact sports such as Rugby League, Soccer and Netball. But more commonly, knee pain develops gradually over time as a result of overuse or faulty biomechanics. Long distance athletes and recreational fitness participants are susceptible to this insidious and frustrating type of knee pain.
Treatment for knee pain will vary widely depending on the specific problem; so the most important step in managing your pain is getting a correct diagnosis. A physiotherapist will initially ask you about the onset, location and behaviour of your symptoms and will be able to formulate a provisional diagnosis. They will then thoroughly examine your alignment, movement patterns, range of motion, strength and perform specific structural tests, to narrow down the possible source of your pain and underlying causes.
Common conditions affecting the active population include patellofemoral pain syndrome and patellar tendinopathy. Both conditions cause pain in the front of the knee and can be aggravated by running (especially downhill), stairs, squats and jumping. Sometimes the shape of your bones can predispose you to these conditions but often it occurs as a result of tissue imbalance. Over time certain muscle groups can become tight whilst others can become under/overactive, which places abnormal loads on structures in the knee. These underlying problems can be addressed with hands- on treatment and specific corrective exercises. There are also ways of taping or bracing the knee to unload the injured tissue and promote healing.
If your injury looks more serious, your physiotherapist can order scans, or recommend a specialist opinion to ensure you get the best possible outcome. So don't ignore that niggling knee pain, get it checked by your physiotherapist early and get yourself on the right path to recovery.