Knee pain is a common ailment that can affect people of all ages and walks of life. Whether you're an athlete pushing your limits, a weekend warrior, or someone who spends long hours standing, squatting or kneeling at work, knee pain can be a disruptive and uncomfortable experience. The experts at Infinite Athletic Training are skilled medical professionals, prepared to identify, manage and treat the source of your knee pain.
Types of Knee Pain:
Knee pain can manifest itself in a number of ways and are commonly characterized into 2 main types.
Acute:
Acute (sudden) knee pain can happen from overloading tissues or sudden movements your body was under prepared for resulting in strains, sprains and tears of muscles, tendons or ligaments. Sudden twisting or cutting can cause tearing or fraying of cartilage tissues within the knee joint or on the underside of the knee cap (patella). Contusion, fracture, or dislocation of the patella or the knee joint itself, are also possible, and typically due to traumatic events involving collisions or high impact scenarios with other people or objects. Most of the injuries previously mentioned, in the short term, will almost always produce an inflammatory response leading to pain, swelling, loss or motion, and an associated decrease in activity.
Chronic:
Chronic (present or gradual onset over a longer period of time typically >2 weeks) knee pain can also involve muscle, tendon, ligament, bursae and cartilage. Typically, these conditions have no particular incident or mechanism that caused it, but rather repetitive impact or use of tissues that are under prepared for the task at hand. We find this common in first time runners or people who try a new exercise routines. This is also prevalent in athletes who are coming into preseason after a period of rest or exercise reduction. It can be attributed to utilizing improper form relative to their individual anatomy or tissue preparation. These types of injuries may cause discomfort or pain during certain activities or during certain times of the day.
General Symptoms associated with knee injury:
Pain and Discomfort:
Sharp Pain: Sudden, intense pain may indicate an injury.
Dull Ache: Persistent, mild pain can be a sign of chronic conditions like arthritis or tendinopathies.
Swelling:
Inflammation and swelling around the knee joint and loss of contour or visibility of key bony landmarks may be a result of an injury or underlying medical conditions resulting from tissue damage.
Stiffness:
Limited/reduced range of motion or difficulty bending or straightening the knee can indicate tissue damage.
Sounds:
Clicking, popping, grinding or other audible sounds (painful or not) during movement may suggest a need for tailored exercises prescribed by an Athletic Trainer or Physical Therapist to improve strength, flexibility, mobility, or skeletal alignment affecting local and surrounding associated tissue at the foot, ankle, hip, pelvis or spine.
"Giving Away"
When to Seek Professional Help:
Persistent knee pain should not be ignored, and seeking medical advice is crucial. Consult a healthcare professional if:
Pain persists despite home remedies.
There is significant swelling or instability.
There is difficulty bearing weight on the affected leg.
Pain is accompanied by signs of infection, such as redness and warmth.
Most common injuries/conditions we see and treat:
Muscle strains
Patellar Tendonitis/Tendinosis
Bursitis
MCL, LCL, PCL, ACL Sprains
Meniscus Tears
Chondromalacia
Patellar Subluxation/Dislocation
Synovitis
Osteochondral defects
Knee Osteoarthritis
The Post-Surgical knee
Common treatment options:
Bracing and taping
Reevaluation of current training programs
Medications
Surgery
How we approach the treatment of knee pain:
This process is highly individualized:
We listen to your medical history, activities you love, nutritional habits, hydration and lifestyle choices.
Comprehensive Evaluation of:
Gait and movement mechanics including squatting, lunging, hinging, hopping, jumping, landing and balance
Physical Exam utilizing orthopedic testing and joint ranges of motion.
Performance testing involving force plates, dynamometers and cardiovascular equipment for quantifiable data and results tracking.
Current Exercise Program
Modalities to help you recover and reduce pain to provide effective windows of pain relief for meaningful rehab including but not limited to:
Marc Pro, H-Wave, or Phoenix Wave neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES)
Blood Flow Restriction Therapy
Flossing
Cupping
Contrast Therapy
Red Light Therapy (photobiomodulation and Near-Infrared Light Therapy)
Massage
Graston Technique
Targeted exercise prescription and strength and conditioning modification to keep you moving and staying active while effectively managing your injury.
For Post-Surgical Knees:
We work hand-in-hand with your surgeons to make sure you hit individual milestones, by keeping you moving and progressing safely throughout your rehab.
Return safely to strength and conditioning
Return to sport and activity testing (also applicable for non-operative cases)
Conclusion:
Understanding the causes, symptoms, and prevention strategies for knee pain is essential for maintaining joint health and overall well-being. The staff at IAT will utilize a variety of modalities to treat your knee pain. They may include massage, blood flow restriction, and/or various forms of electrical stim. They will also identify the source of the pain. Was it caused by improper training, joint instability, muscle imbalance or trauma? By adopting a proactive approach, incorporating preventive measures, and seeking timely medical attention when necessary, individuals can minimize the impact of knee pain on their athletic performance and favorite activities. Book an appointment with us! Taking care of your knees today will contribute to a more active and pain-free tomorrow.
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