Say Goodbye To Chronic Knee Pain With Physical Therapy!
Have you noticed going up and down stairs seems more and more difficult? Do you search for a parking spot close to the store entrance out of concern for your knees? If you are tired of having “bad knees,” it’s time to let the therapists at Elliott Physical Therapy in Dorchester, Easton, Hanover, Hingham, Mansfield, Milton, Needham, North Attleboro or South Boston get to the root cause of your pain and help you resolve your knee pain once and for all!
More and more research has shown that the knees need movement to stay healthy. No matter how tempting it may be to limit your everyday activities to avoid knee pain, it won’t likely help your knees and may make them worse. Finding knee pain relief can be challenging, which is why it is so important to seek the help of a skilled physical therapist.
Our physical therapists can help you find knee pain relief, improve your mobility and strength so you can get back to doing what you love, and thoroughly enjoy life without the use of dangerous drugs or invasive surgery.
Request an appointment at our Dorchester, Easton, Hanover, Hingham, Mansfield, Milton, Needham, North Attleboro or South Boston clinic to resume a healthy, active lifestyle!
Why does my knee hurt?
Your knee is a hinge joint that can only move forward and backward. You should be able to stand, walk, run, and dance with ease if your knees are in proper alignment. If you have knee pain, you will not be able to move as freely as you would like.
Although it might seem counterintuitive, there are times when knee pain is the symptom, not the source of your problem. The knee can alert you to a problem in the foot or hip region by sending pain messages to your brain. There are, of course, times when the knee pain you feel is due to an actual issue/injury in the knee itself.
Fortunately, at Elliott Physical Therapy in Dorchester, Easton, Hanover, Hingham, Mansfield, Milton, Needham, North Attleboro and South Boston, MA, our physical therapists are experts at getting to the root of your problems and identifying all the factors that may be associated with your specific condition. So if you’re unsure what’s causing your symptoms, let our team conduct a whole-body assessment, identify the reasons you may be experiencing knee pain, and help you resolve them once and for all!
Knee pain can be caused by a variety of factors, the most common include:
The most common type of arthritis for knee pain is osteoarthritis (OA). This condition occurs when the cartilage surrounding your joints deteriorates, and the joint no longer has a sufficient cushion between the bone. This leads to joint inflammation, with varying levels of pain and dysfunction.
There are two common cartilage injuries:
- Meniscus injury: The meniscus serves as a shock absorber and helps maintain stability in the knee. A meniscus tear can be caused by contact or non-contact activity when the knee twists suddenly. Some tears are the result of wear and tear.
- Articular cartilage injury: The articular cartilage is a smooth covering on the bones that allows for frictionless sliding of one bone on another. Articular cartilage is injured by direct trauma or wear and tear.
If you twist your knee quickly while bearing weight on it or sustain some other type of trauma, the cartilage may be injured. It is also possible for prolonged inactivity or repetitive movements to cause fraying and eventually tearing of the cartilage.
Our bones are connected by ligaments. The ligaments in your knee act like leather straps to hold the bones together and keep your knee stable. Ligaments are often stretched and/or torn during a sudden motion.
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL): It is located in the center of the knee and controls the 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.
Your tendons are thick connective tissues that attach muscles to bones. Tendinitis occurs when the tendon becomes inflamed due to repetitive movements. It is common in jumping and landing motions and sports like skiing, cycling, or hurdling.
The patellar tendon connects the patella (kneecap) to the shinbone, allowing you to kick, run, and jump. Patellar tendinitis is common in runners, skiers, cyclists, and those who engage in jumping sports and activities.
Knee tendinitis can make it hard to walk, rise from a chair, climb stairs, or play sports. Our physical therapists are trained to diagnose and treat knee pain and help ease your pain and get you back to doing what you love!
Bursae are closed, fluid-filled sacs that cushion and help create a smooth gliding surface to reduce friction between tissues of the body. These sacs of fluid protect tendons from the bone.
An injury or overuse can cause inflammation in the bursae (aka Bursitis) which prevents tendons from smoothly gliding over the joint and can be painful or even debilitating.
If you are in a car accident, the bones of the knee, particularly the kneecap (patella), can be damaged. A knee fracture can occur simply by taking the wrong step and landing awkwardly or directly on the kneecap.
A thorough evaluation by a licensed physical therapist at our Dorchester, Easton, Hanover, Hingham, Mansfield, Milton, Needham, North Attleboro or South Boston physical therapy clinic is the best way to determine the actual cause of your knee pain and help you find solutions that work!
Get Moving Again After Knee Replacement Surgery
Many people living with knee pain find that knee replacement surgery can play an important role in helping them move with less pain. However, the surgery itself is only part of the process. Knee replacement rehabilitation in Dorchester, Easton, Hanover, Hingham, Mansfield, Milton, Needham, North Attleboro and South Boston, MA can help you rebuild the strength, mobility, and confidence you need to make the most of your new knee.
At Elliott Physical Therapy, our team can guide you through each stage of your post-surgical recovery. We’ll assess how your knee moves, your strength and physical function, and how comfortably you can complete everyday tasks. Your treatment plan will then progress based on your needs, abilities, and goals.
Rather than comparing your progress with someone else’s, our team can help you build gradually while following any precautions or recommendations from your surgeon.
Physical therapy after knee replacement may focus on:
- Improving knee mobility: Targeted exercises can help improve comfortable bending and straightening of your knee.
- Rebuilding strength: Strengthening the muscles around your knee, hip, and leg can improve support and help you move more efficiently.
- Improving walking: Your therapist can help address walking difficulties and gradually progress away from an assistive device when appropriate.
- Practicing everyday activities: Treatment can prepare you for tasks such as getting out of a chair, using stairs, getting in and out of a car, and returning to activities you enjoy.
- Building balance and confidence: Balance and functional exercises can help you feel more secure as you become more active.
Empowering Results!
How Can Physical Therapy Help?
Some people are worried that physical therapy will aggravate their knees because they have been told their only option is surgery. This is simply not the case for the vast majority of people. In fact, physical therapy is shown to be as effective or more effective than surgery for several disorders of the knee. You have so much to gain from physical therapy; rest assured, there is nothing to be scared of!
Over 25% of adults
aged 18 and older experience knee pain
making it a common musculoskeletal issue that affects a significant portion of the population.
During your first appointment in Dorchester, Easton, Hanover, Hingham, Mansfield, Milton, Needham, North Attleboro or South Boston, one of our physical therapists will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the whole body. Your therapist will examine your knees for signs and symptoms of serious conditions that require further evaluation, and testing of specific medical treatments (i.e., medication, injections, or surgery).
Our evaluations will address the joints above and below the knee and any other factors affecting your mobility, gait, and overall functional ability. In order to return to your regular activities with more joint range of motion, soft tissue flexibility, and less discomfort, you and the physical therapist will address how your body works together for normal joint function.
Your therapist will give you exercises to help strengthen the muscles around the knee to help reduce pain and stabilize, and improve the overall functioning of your knees. Your physical therapist may use manual therapy and modality treatments to manage discomfort and speed the recovery of injured tissues.
Before you know it, your knee pain will be a thing of the past. Physical therapy treatments at Elliott Physical Therapy can help you get back to doing what you love without medication, invasive injections, or painful surgery!
Request an appointment today and say goodbye to knee pain!
Now is the time to take charge of your knee pain and prevent it from interfering with your life any longer. You should get started on the road to long-term pain relief right away!
Request an appointment with one of our dedicated physical therapists at Elliott Physical Therapy in Dorchester, Easton, Hanover, Hingham, Mansfield, Milton, Needham, North Attleboro or South Boston today!
Your Next Steps…
Request An Appointment
Come in for a Comprehensive Evaluation
Receive A Custom Treatment Plan
Work Hard and Progress In Your Recovery
Recover & Enjoy Life Pain-Free!
DISCOVER THE ELLIOTT PHYSICAL THERAPY DIFFERENCE, GET STARTED TODAY!
FAQs
Your knees are hinge joints that allow for the forward-and-backward motions within the joint. The knee is one of the largest joints in your body, made up of a complex system of bones, tendons, and ligaments. Because of this, the knee can be easily injured due to overexertion or repetitive motions. Additionally, knee pain can be caused due to an underlying ailment. Some of the most common causes of knee pain are sprains, strains, fractures, tears, dislocation, tendinitis, bursitis, and arthritis.
Some knee pain can ease on its own. However, if you notice persistent pain, you should contact a physical therapist. Many people try to push through the pain that they feel; however, this can actually cause an issue to worsen and become more problematic. Sharp or dull pain in the knee should be paid attention to and not pushed through. If pain persists, especially for three months or longer, it is in your best interest to contact a physical therapist, as that can be an indication of a chronic condition.
Knee pain can be debilitating, making it difficult to walk, run, and move. While exercise can certainly help heal the root cause of your knee pain, it is important to make sure to only do so under the discretion of your physical therapist. Your treatment plan will largely consist of targeted exercises and manual treatments; however, additional pain relief modalities may also be added as your physical therapist deems fit. This will help you improve any problem areas and prevent further injury from occurring.
Our licensed physical therapists will examine your knee for signs of misalignment or structural damage, in addition to examining your stance, posture, gait, and range of motion. After your physical exam is complete, your physical therapist will prescribe a physical therapy plan for you, aimed at relieving unnatural stresses and strains, and normalizing your joint function. Treatment plans for knee pain typically include activity modification, manual therapy, strength and capacity training, range of motion restoration, graded exposure to previously painful activities, and patient education regarding activity modification.
