Knee Pain Physical Therapy

The knee is the largest joint in the body and is replaced the most by orthopedic surgeons. The knee is a hinge joint that allows for bending, straightening, and some twisting movements. Unfortunately, its complex anatomy of three bones, ligaments, cartilage, tendons, and a meniscus makes it vulnerable to several injuries that cause knee pain. At Coastal Movement Specialists, our trained occupational and physical therapists use their knowledge and skills to help relieve knee pain so you can return to an active and joyful life. Learn more below, and contact us today to schedule an appointment in our Johns Island, SC office.

+ What are the Symptoms of Knee Pain?

You can experience mild knee pain from overuse that resolves without treatment in a few days. However, other symptoms can accompany your pain that may indicate a problem that needs attention. Some of these symptoms include:

  • Joint stiffness
  • Minor swelling
  • Popping or crunching sounds
  • Weakness
  • Inability to straighten your knee

+ What Causes Knee Pain?

There are many potential causes of knee pain. Here are some of the most common reasons your knee may hurt:

  • Overuse. Repetitive activities such as running, cycling, and jumping can cause problems such as runner’s knee, IT band syndrome, and tendinitis.
  • Injury. Stretched or torn ligaments, knee fractures, torn meniscus, and torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) can occur quickly and result in mild to severe pain.
  • Inflammation. Degenerative cartilage can cause inflammation and arthritic pain. In addition to arthritis, inflammation of the patellar tendon or bursa can also cause pain and stiffness in the knee.

+ Common Knee Ligament Injuries

Although ligaments are tough tissue, they are commonly injured during various activities. A ligament can make a loud popping sound when injured. The resulting pain can be severe and occur suddenly. You usually have swelling and a feeling of looseness in the joint. The four knee ligaments prone to injury are:

  • Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)
  • Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)
  • Lateral collateral ligament (LCL)
  • Medial collateral ligament (MCL)

+ What is a Torn Meniscus?

Each of your knees has a meniscus that cushions the junction of your thigh and shin bones and prevents friction between them. The meniscus is prone to tearing due to the wear and tear of aging or the stress placed on it when you run, jump, or twist during activities such as sports. A torn meniscus is one of the most common knee injuries, which can often be addressed with conservative treatment.

+ What is a Torn Patellar Tendon?

Another common knee injury is a torn patellar tendon. This injury can occur during sports, accidents around the house, or automobile accidents. The patellar tendon may also tear when it is weakened after years of corticosteroid treatments for knee tendonitis.

+ What is Knee Bursitis?

Your knees have several fluid-filled sacs, or bursae, that reduce friction between the moving parts of your knees. Irritation or inflammation of these sacs, known as bursitis, can cause pain and swelling below, behind, or on the sides of your knee.

+ How Can Physical Therapy Help with Knee Pain?

Knee pain can affect walking, exercising, squatting, bending, and most other daily movements. Our trained physical therapists can design a plan to help relieve your pain and recover more quickly to return to an active lifestyle. Your plan could include:

  • Strengthening exercises
  • Functional training
  • Therapeutic activities
  • Flexibility exercises
  • Balance training

Schedule an Appointment

Located on Johns Island, SC, Coastal Movement Specialists serves the entire Charleston area. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with our experienced therapists.