The top two things you should know about knee pain

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. Bursitis. Arthritis. Patellofemoral syndrome. These are a few of the common issues that can cause pain, swelling and other symptoms in your knee. 

Unfortunately, these knee symptoms are far too common in the U.S. Medical researchers report that 25% of U.S. adults have frequent aching in their knee. Some issues that lead to knee discomfort might go away after a few days of rest, but there are other more serious issues that can benefit from professional help. Physical therapists can help you learn if your knee issue is serious. These specialists can also help you find effective treatment for many issues that cause knee pain. 

1.  When you should seek professional help for knee pain

By itself, pain isn’t an indication that you have a serious knee issue. After all, most people will have aches and pains in this joint at some point. However, pain that is severe or lasts for more than a few days can be the first sign of a serious joint issue. Often, severe, long-lasting pain will be joined by other symptoms like: 

• Swelling
• Decreased range of motion
• Knee that feels unstable or wobbly
• Knee that feels too weak to support weight
• Inability to straighten the affected leg

If your knee has been injured by an impact or a twisting or rolling motion, you may have heard or felt a loud pop. All these symptoms are signs of serious knee problems, and you should get medical help immediately.

2.  How a physical therapist can treat knee pain

Physical therapists can help you find many treatment options for issues that cause knee pain. Your therapy plan for knee discomfort will be individualized to fit your needs. The physical therapy methods included in your plan can depend on several factors. Some of these factors include the severity of the pain, age, sex and medical history. 

A few of the therapy techniques your physical therapist may use in your knee therapy plan are: 

• Manual therapy
• Therapeutic exercises
• McKenzie Method^®
• Redcord^® therapy
• Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM)
• Balance training

If you require surgery to treat your knee condition, you can still benefit from physical therapy. Pre-surgical rehab can help prepare your knee for surgery, and post-surgical rehab can help surgery patients recover more fully and quickly.

Get treatment for knee conditions at Advent Physical Therapy

Are you suffering from a painful knee condition? Our team at Advent Physical Therapy is here to help with reducing your pain and regaining your ability to move. We offer free screenings designed to reveal the source of your knee symptoms. In addition, our physical therapists excel at building personalized therapy plans for a range of knee issues. 

Can’t make it into one of our therapy clinics to get help for your knee? No problem! Our team offers therapy services that you can use from home, including virtual care and at-home therapy sessions. We can even get you started with your physical therapy without a doctor’s referral. 

Contact our team today for more information about how we can help with your knee issues or to schedule your initial appointment.