Knee pain is common and can be a symptom of many different knee conditions or injuries. This is the condition that affects people of all ages. It is either by osteoarthritis, ligament injuries, muscle stiffness, obesity, muscle weakness, meniscus injury, incorrect posture.

Symptoms of knee pain:

  • difficulty walking due to the instability of the knee,
  • limping due to discomfort,
  • difficulty walking up or down steps due to ligament damage,
  • locking of the knee (unable to bend the knee),
  • redness and swelling,
  • inability to extend the knee, and
  • shifting weight to the opposite knee and foot.

What are the risk factors for knee pain?

  • Biomechanics: The knee joint is complicated in its operation and is used frequently throughout the day. Any change in the movement of the joint (leg-length difference, change in walking style due to back problems) can cause subtle changes and cause pain and injuries.
  • Excess weight: The stress on the knee joint is increased with excess weight. Obesity also increases the risk of osteoarthritis as the cartilage breaks down more rapidly.
  • Overuse during repetitive motions as are found during certain exercises (jogging, skiing) or work conditions (long periods of kneeling) can cause breakdown of cartilage and lead to pain.

What are the types of Knee pain?

Knee pain can be divided into three major categories:

  • Acute injury: such as a broken bone, torn ligament, or meniscal tear
  • Medical conditions: arthritis, infections
  • Chronic use/overuse conditions: osteoarthritis, patellar syndromes, tendinitis, and bursitis.

How Can Physiotherapy Help your Knee?

Physiotherapy is incredibly important for these injuries to ensure proper and complete recovery. Though each injury will differ slightly, physio can aid in making sure that there is a correct process of healing and to work on a rehabilitation program that will allow you to execute full recovery goals in a timely manner to get you back to health as soon as possible. The treatment of exercises may include:

  • The joint mobilisation of the patella, knee and hip.
  • Stretching.
  • Education.
  • Taping or brace support (especially important in recovery from ligament ruptures).
  • Exercise programs for rehabilitation or pre-habilitation.
  • Ice or heat treatment.
  • Work or activity modification advice and referral.
  • Gradual return to work program.

Exercise programs will be of key importance during rehabilitation for knee injuries. As it is a major movement centre, and important for stability to restore full function for work, sport and general living, the knee will require gradual reloading otherwise further complications can occur.