Physical Therapy Can Help You Say Goodbye to Chronic Knee Pain!
Have you noticed that going up and down stairs is becoming increasingly difficult? Do you look for a parking spot near the store entrance because you’re worried about your knee pain? If you’re tired of having “bad knees,” it’s time to let the therapists at Hopstown Physical Therapy in Beaverton and Lake Oswego, OR get to the bottom of your pain and help you find knee pain relief.
More and more research has revealed that the knees require movement to remain healthy. Limiting your daily activities to avoid knee pain may be tempting, but it is unlikely to help your knees and may actually worsen them. Finding knee pain relief can be difficult, which is why it is critical to seek the assistance of a skilled physical therapist.
Without the use of dangerous drugs or invasive surgery, our Beaverton and Lake Oswego, OR physical therapists can help you find knee pain relief, improve your mobility and strength, and get back to doing what you love.
Request an appointment to get back into a healthy, active routine!
Why am I experiencing knee pain?
Often, your knee is a ‘victim’ with the ‘culprit’ causing your knee to hurt being somewhere else in the body. Only two main areas of your body do not rotate well, and one of those areas are the knees. Unfortunately, however, we live in a rotational world. Rarely are we moving in a single plane; rather we move in diagonal patterns with most tasks that we do. If we are not able to rotate adequately somewhere in the body, often our knees take a hit for that lack of motion. The knees already take more stress in weight-bearing than anywhere else in the body, so when you add aberrant movement through the knees, they may respond overtime by hurting. When we have knee pain, because we put a lot of stress through them with normal function, we subconsciously favor them in standing and during functional tasks (stairs, squatting, etc). This compensation pattern will stiffen the knee, and actually place MORE stress through them, deconditioning your entire leg which will set the knee up for chronic issues. Of course, there are also times when your knee pain is caused by a problem or injury in the knee itself.
Fortunately, the physical therapists at Hopstown Physical Therapy in Beaverton and Lake Oswego, OR are experts at getting to the root of your problems and identifying all of the factors that may be associated with your specific condition. So, if you’re not sure what’s causing your symptoms, let our team conduct a full-body assessment to identify the causes of your knee pain and help you resolve it once and for all!
Knee pain can be caused by a number of factors, the most common of which are:
Arthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis that causes knee pain. When the cartilage that surrounds your joints deteriorates, the joint no longer has enough cushion between the bones. This can cause joint inflammation, which causes varying degrees of pain and dysfunction. Just because you have arthritic change in your knees, however, that does not mean you must have dysfunction and pain. Improving mobility throughout the rest of the body, which lesses stresses through the knee, and regaining normal knee motion and strength through the legs helps lessen pain and improve function in the knee.
Cartilage Injuries
There are two common types of cartilage injuries:
Meniscus tear: The meniscus acts as a shock absorber and aids in knee stability. When the knee twists suddenly, either through contact or non-contact activity, this can cause an acute tear in the meniscus. Normal wear and tear can also cause tears in the meniscus.
Articular cartilage damage: The articular cartilage is a smooth covering on the bones that allows for frictionless sliding from one bone to the next. Direct trauma or wear and tear both cause damage to the articular cartilage.
The cartilage in your knee may be damaged if you twist it quickly while bearing weight on it or if you sustain another type of trauma. Prolonged inactivity or repetitive movements can also cause fraying and, eventually, tearing of the articular cartilage.
Ligament Injuries
Ligaments join our bones together. The ligaments in your knee function similarly to leather straps in holding the bones together and keeping your knee stable. Ligaments can be stretched or torn during sudden movements.
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL): It is located in the center of the knee and controls rotation and forward movement of the shin bone.
Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL): It is located in the back of the knee and controls the backward movement of the shin bone.
Medial collateral ligament (MCL): The medial collateral ligament is on the inside of your knee and provides stability to sideway motions.
Lateral collateral ligament (LCL): The lateral collateral ligament is on the outside of your knee and provides stability to sideways motions.
Tendinitis
Tendons are fibrous connective tissues that connect muscles to bones. Tendinitis occurs when a tendon becomes inflamed as a result of repeated movements. It is common with jumping and landing motions, and sports such as basketball, skiing, cycling, and track.
The patellar tendon is the tendon that connects the patella (kneecap) to the shinbone, allowing you to kick, run, and jump. Patellar tendinitis is common in runners, skiers, cyclists, and people participating in jumping sports.
Knee tendinitis can make it difficult to walk, get out of a chair, climb stairs, or participate in sports. Our physical therapists can diagnose and treat knee pain, allowing you to get back to doing what you enjoy.
Knee bursitis
Bursae are closed, fluid-filled sacs that cushion and aid in the creation of a smooth gliding surface to reduce friction between body tissues. These fluid sacs protect the tendons from the bone.
An injury or overuse can cause bursitis (inflammation of the bursae), which prevents tendons from gliding smoothly over the joint and can be painful or even debilitating.
Fractures
In a car accident, the knee bones, particularly the kneecap (patella), can be damaged. Simply taking the wrong step and landing awkwardly or directly on the knee cap can also result in a knee fracture.
A thorough evaluation by a licensed physical therapist at our Beaverton or Lake Oswego, OR physical therapy clinic is the best way to determine the true cause of your knee pain and assist you in finding effective solutions!
Whatever the cause of your knee pain, the physical therapists at Hopstown Physical Therapy are here to help you get the relief you deserve.
Find knee pain relief through physical therapy
Have you been told that surgery is your only option for knee pain relief? For the vast majority of people, this simply is not the case. Research has shown that physical therapy is as effective as or more effective than surgery for various knee disorders. You will benefit greatly from physical therapy and it should be the first line of defense for knee pain.
During your first appointment in Beaverton or Lake Oswego, OR, one of our physical therapists will perform a full body evaluation. Your therapist will examine your knees for signs and symptoms of serious conditions that necessitate further evaluation.
Our assessment will also focus on the joints above and below the knee. The physical therapist will also examine other factors affecting your mobility, gait, and overall functional ability.
You and the physical therapist will discuss how your body works together and how we, at Hopstown Physical Therapy, can help you safely return to normal function and resume your regular activities. Are you ready to achieve regain your mobility, strength, and ‘Live Your Potential’ with less discomfort and more confidence?
Your physical therapist will teach you exercises to strengthen the muscles around your knees in order to reduce pain, stabilize, and improve the overall function of your knees. Your therapist will also use manual therapy to help regain normal mobility and alleviate discomfort, helping speed up recovery time and help injured tissues heal.
Ready to find knee pain relief?
Contact us today!
Now is the time to take control of your knee pain and stop it from interfering with your life. Are you ready to return to the life you love?
If so, make an appointment with one of our knowledgeable physical therapists at Hopstown Physical Therapy in Beaverton or Lake Oswego, OR today!
Your Next Steps…
Request An Appointment
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