Physical Therapy for Knee Pain Relief

Did you know that knee pain is the second most common cause of chronic pain? Approximately one out of three Americans will experience knee pain throughout their lifetime. The knee joint is made up of 3 bones (femur, tibia, patella), 4 stabilizing ligaments (MCL/LCL/ACL/PCL), muscles, tendons, and cartilage (meniscus). It is no surprise, that the knee is susceptible to a variety of long-term and short-term injuries. 

If you are currently experiencing knee pain keep reading to see how Physical Therapy can help you!

• Ligament Sprains: Generally categorized as "contact" or "non-contact." Contact injuries typically occur in traumatic settings like sports collisions, motor vehicle accidents and falls. An external force is applied to the lower leg that stresses the ligaments of knee. Non-contact injuries typically occur when ones own body can no long control forces generated within the body. Typically, these are limited to athletic performances.  
  • SYMPTOMS: Usually acute in nature, the knee rotates/extensions/ side bends quickly and uncontrollably , associated with a loud pop, bruising/ swelling/ redness, difficulty weight bearing over the involved side, tenderness to touch and decreased range of motion, can have severe knee pain or no knee pain at all depending on grade of injury.       
• Tendonitis:  The typical muscles associated with knee tendonitis are: quadriceps, hamstrings and patellar tendon. These injuries are usually overuse in nature, and often are associated global lower extremity tightness. The muscles are working hard: to overcome knee joint motion restrictions OR stabilize the knee due to laxity.
  • SYMPTOMS: Dull/achy knee pain that gets worse with repeated motions, decreased strength/power/endurance of lower leg muscles, restricted knee motions, swelling around and below the knee cap, popping/clicking when bending/straightening the knee.
• Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS): Patellofemoral pain is more of a blanket term, covering several possible sources of pain. Potential causes of PFPS include: recent growth spurt, quadriceps muscle imbalance, global lower extremity weakness, ligamentous laxity or extreme tightness, arthritis and many more. Independent of the cause, PFPS is characterized by improper tracking of the patella on the femur causing the following symptoms.   
  • SYMPTOMS: Knee pain with bending/straightening, pain at rest (especially when the knee bent to 90 degs), pain with single legged activities (stepping off curb/ down stair case), knee pain with kneeling, clicking and popping, swelling around or below the knee cap, redness/tenderness around the knee cap.  
• Torn Meniscus: The meniscus works to cushion the knee joint during weight bearing activities. The meniscus is most vulnerable when the knee is bent, so during sports cutting activities or kneeling. Injuries can be acute or chronic in nature. Acute injuries are typically traumatic caused by sports injuries (non-contact/contact), motor vehicle accidents, falls, or work related accidents. Chronic injuries are typically age related and are more over use related.    
  • SYMPTOMS: Knee pain worse when the knee is bent, knee pain is worse with weight bearing and may improve with non-weight bearing, potential catch with knee bending, clicking/popping, redness/swelling/tenderness over joint line and reduced knee bending. 
• Arthritis: Inflammation in the knee joint or under the knee cap that leads to knee pain and joint stiffness. Arthritis is more chronic in nature and is normal for older individuals; however, arthritis can arise prematurely due to traumatic injury (knee sprains, surgery and fracture).
  • SYMPTOMS: Generalized achiness/soreness, swelling, tenderness to touch, redness, worse with prolonged activity, worse in the morning, decreased knee ROM, difficulty weight bearing. 
• Surgery:  Typically surgery is the last resort for most Orthopedic Practitioners. We typically see: ACL reconstruction, meniscal repair/ debridement, total knee replacement, partial knee replacement, arthroscopic debridement, patellar fracture, patellar plateau fracture, patellar stabilization surgery and many more.   

Based on physical therapy examination findings, your physical therapist will design an individualized treatment plan based on the patient's goals. Knee pain relief can be achieved through a combination of the following treatments:

• Education on Pathology, including Healthy Habits to Improve Posture and Safe Movement. 
• Exercises to Strengthen Core, Hip, and Knee Muscles
• Stretches to Improve Muscle Flexibility and Joint Mobility
• Hands on Deep Tissue Massage
• Integrated Dry Needling
• Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilizations (Graston Technique)
• Cupping Therapy
• Heat, Ice, or Electrical Stimulation

1. Physical Therapy starts with a patient interview and a review of past medical history.  
2. The Physical Therapist will perform a complete physical assessment to find the source of your knee pain.
3. Working with the patient, realistic and obtainable goals are designed by the physical therapist.
4. A treatment plan is designed based on the patient's goals, abilities and personal preferences. 
5. Molly and Dylan work closely with local pain management clinicians, orthopedic surgeons, and primary care physicians. If additional consultation is required, we pride ourselves with helping direct patient care.