My knee hurts when I bend it and straighten it: Can physical therapy help?

Is your knee hurting when you bend and straighten it? You are not alone. According to Healthline, “Knee replacement surgery has become a routine procedure in many hospitals. Surgeons carry out approximately 600,000 total knee replacements annually in the United States.” That’s a lot of knees that have been replaced. For the most part, knees are replaced because they wear out. Physical therapy can help you reduce your pain or maintain your healthy knees. 

Why do I feel pain when I bend my knee?

Just like any joint, your knees can give out, making it painful to bend and straighten your knees. Here are some reasons you may be experiencing difficulty bending and straightening your knee:

• Overuse — If you’re in a career that’s physically demanding or you’re an athlete, your knee discomfort may come from overuse. 

• Sitting too long — Finding that your knees hurt when you bend and straighten them? You may find that you’ve been sitting too long. Try to take a walk to get your joints moving.

• A mistake in the gym — If you’re working out, it’s important to make sure that you’re practicing proper posture and alignment during your exercise routine. You should also check your shoes to make sure they’re appropriate for the goals you’re trying to achieve in the gym. Improper footwear can cause achy knees. 

How physical therapy can help

Tired of feeling pain in your knees when you bend or straighten them? It may be time to consider physical therapy. Here are some ways physical therapy can help reduce your knee pain: 

• A full assessment — Your physical therapist will begin your treatment with a full evaluation that may include testing your range of motion, level of pain, location of the pain, and other diagnostic or imaging tests to rule out any underlying conditions.

• Customized treatment plan — After your evaluation, your physical therapist will work closely with you to develop a specialized treatment plan to address your pain and help you achieve your goals. 

Ready to find relief? Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.