Combat Knee Pain With These Treatments
There are multiple ligamentous structures responsible for stability of the knee and damage to one of the ligaments may negatively affect the other ligaments. If there is any imbalance in length or strength, in the hip or ankle muscles, there are usually altered mechanics throughout the lower extremity. Knee pain can arise from the knee itself, or be referred from conditions of the hip, ankle or lower back. In general, knee pain ¡s either immediate (acute) or long- term (chronic).
Acute knee pain /injuries usually occur suddenly through either trauma or a twisting action, involves the tendon njuries, ligament sprains or a tear, or a meniscal ¡n jury. Chronic knee pain is often from injuries or inflammation (such as arthritis) but can also be caused by infection.
Common conditions affecting the knee joint are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, patella femoral pain syndrome (PFPS), jumpers knee, runner’s knee, iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS) and soft tissue injuries like meniscal tears, ligament sprain, and bursitis. Approximately, 20 per cent of the adult population suffer with knee pain.
Causes Of Knee Pain
Predisposing factors to knee pain include being above 50 years of age, obesity, sports injuries, mechanical strain, body mechanics, bony alignment and those genetically inclined. Also, females are more affected with knee pain than males.
Symptoms Of Knee Pain
Based on the criteria of the American College of Rheumatology, osteoarthritis of the knee may be suspected if the following criteria are present:
- Age above 50 years
- Knee stiffness for less than 30 minutes
- Crepitus (grinding)
- Bone tenderness
- Bone enlargement
- No palpable warmth
Non-mechanical disorders often include acute onset of knee pain with effusion, warmth and signs and symptoms of infection.
Treatment Methods
- Applying ¡ce or warm fermentation increases circulation in the area and helps control inflammation and reduce pain in the joint.
- Use of trained techniques like myofascial release which ¡s a soft tissue mobilization, relieves spasms by voluntarily relaxing the affected muscle.
Hydrotherapy has been shown to increase muscle strength, increase joint range of movement, improve aerobic capacity, reduce pain and improve function
Myofascial Release Of IT Band With The Foam Roller
- Use of modalities like ultrasound which is high frequency sound waves directly applied over the area of soreness causes vibrations of molecules inside the tissue, leading to friction and warmth over that injured area improves the healing process of the tissue in ligament sprains, meniscal and bursitis conditions
- PEMF (Pulse Electric Magnetic Force) medium frequency and TENS, Interferential therapy (IFT) high frequency-short duration pulses helps in pain relief at level of higher centers, which relieves pain in osteoarthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions
- Use of LASER which is low energy with healing potential of chronic (resistant) conditions that promotes tissue healing. Widely used in soft tissues injuries such as ligament sprain, meniscal tear conditions
- Hydrotherapy has been shown to increase muscle strength, increase joint range of movement, improve aerobic capacity, reduce pain and improve function
- The Exercise Conditioning Programme can prove beneficial in achieving a healthy and active lifestyle
- Gentle stretching atter strength training exercise helps relieve soreness and keeps the muscles flexible
- The muscle groups targeted in the Exercise Conditioning Programme includes:
Adductors (inner thigh)
Abductors (outer thigh)
Quadriceps (front of thigh)
Hamstrings (back of thigh) - To avoid excess overload and injury, the weight or resistance must be gradually increased in a consistent programme. Exercise frequency should be two to three times a week for strength building, by using resistance bands and tubes, weight cuffs
- Functional exercises are helpful and weight bearing functional exercises such as jumping and hopping should be encouraged
K-Taping Correction In Patella Femoral Joint Syndrome
Correction of joint alignment by using a functional knee brace (valgus brace) or orthosis (insole). The main purpose of these aids is to reduce pain, improves physical function and quality of life, to possibly slow down further injuries. The taping technique has positive effects on circulation, muscle function, correction, proprioception, and pain
Prevention Of Knee Pain
- Build the strength of your legs with a conditioning programme appropriate for your sport or activity; a physical therapist can help you with specific exercises
- Warm up before you practice or enter a competition
- Stretch regularly – especially your hamstrings, quadriceps, calves and hips’ muscles
- Wear appropriate shoes for the sport and your dimensions
- Change running shoes after 300-500 miles
- Limit the increase of your activity level at five to ten percent per week and increase only one factor (distance /duration, intensity/speed, flat/hills) at a time