The knee is a complex joint with many structures where complaints can develop. The knee complaint or knee injury can develop from overuse or from an acute moment such as an accident, a fall or a wrong (sports) movement.
Overuse often occurs because the function of the chain in which the knee lies is not proper or modified. This can mean, for example, that the knee is overloaded because the back, hip or ankle is not moving properly. Also, for example, the leg muscles may not provide enough stability. In acute moments of origin, we often see that the knee ligaments, cruciate ligaments or meniscus become irritated or even damaged.
Casus
Meet Jane, a 45-year-old runner who has been struggling with knee pain for months. She's an active person who loves to run, hike and play with her kids, but lately, her knee pain has been holding her back. Despite trying various remedies, Jane's knee pain has only gotten worse, affecting her ability to run and even walk comfortably. She's tried icing and resting her knee, but nothing seems to be working. She's feeling frustrated and hopeless.
Jane's knee pain started as a minor discomfort, but over time it has become a major issue. She's been experiencing pain and stiffness in her knee, especially when running or going up and down stairs. She's also noticed that her knee swells up after physical activity, and she has difficulty with activities that involve kneeling.
Jane has tried various remedies to alleviate her knee pain, such as icing her knee after exercise and taking over-the-counter pain medication. She's also tried resting her knee as much as possible, but the pain always comes back as soon as she starts being active again. She's even considered giving up running, which is something she loves, but she doesn't want to let her knee pain control her life.
Our physical therapy services can help Jane regain her mobility and reduce her knee pain. Our team of expert physiotherapists will work with Jane to create a personalized treatment plan that addresses the underlying causes of her knee pain. We will begin by conducting a thorough assessment of her knee, including range of motion, strength, and gait analysis. This will allow us to identify any imbalances or dysfunctions that may be contributing to her knee pain.
Based on the assessment, we will develop a treatment plan that may include a combination of exercises, stretching, and manual therapy. Our physiotherapists will work with Jane to improve her knee strength and flexibility, which can help reduce her pain and improve her overall function. We may also use techniques such as soft tissue mobilization, joint mobilization, and dry needling to release tension in the muscles and fascia surrounding the knee.
In addition to these specific techniques, we will also educate Jane about proper knee care, including how to warm up and cool down properly, how to modify her activities to reduce stress on her knee, and how to properly stretch and strengthen her knee. By providing her with the tools and knowledge she needs to take care of her knee, we can help her prevent her knee pain from coming back.