If you have chronic knee pain… Don’t ignore it, as it may be more than just overuse!
Many people may experience knee pain from walking, running, or lifting heavy objects. However, if you start experiencing frequent knee pain, chronic knee pain, knee stiffness, swelling, clicking sounds inside the joint, or fatigue when standing or going up and down stairs, these symptoms may no longer be a minor issue. They may indicate problems related to the joints, cartilage, muscles around the knee, ligaments, or movement imbalances that require proper assessment and rehabilitation.
Main Causes of Knee Pain
1. Overuse of the Knee or Improper Movement Patterns
Standing, walking, running, lifting heavy objects, or performing repetitive weight-bearing activities without adequate rest or with improper movement patterns can cause the muscles and ligaments around the knee joint to become overloaded, leading to inflammation and pain.
2. Knee Osteoarthritis
Knee osteoarthritis is commonly found in older adults or individuals with excessive body weight. It occurs due to the deterioration of cartilage inside the knee joint, causing increased friction between the joint surfaces, which can result in pain, swelling, stiffness, and reduced mobility.
3. Ligament or Meniscus Injury
Twisting the knee, falling, or participating in sports that involve sudden changes in direction can cause injuries to the ligaments or meniscus of the knee. This may result in pain, swelling, difficulty walking, or a feeling of knee instability.
4. Structural and Movement Imbalance
Abnormal walking patterns, flat feet, weak hip muscles, muscle imbalance, or improper weight distribution can increase stress on the knee joint and contribute to long-term accumulated pain.
What Type of Knee Pain Should Be Evaluated?
- Knee pain that continues for several weeks and does not improve with rest
- Knee swelling, warmth, or difficulty moving the joint
- Knee pain after falling, twisting the knee, or experiencing impact
- Pain when walking up or down stairs, squatting, or standing up from a chair
- Feeling that the knee gives way, feels unstable, or produces sounds during movement
- Pain that interferes with walking, working, or exercising
Treatment of Knee Pain with Physiotherapy at PS Center Physiotherapy
At PS Center, we believe that knee pain is not caused by the joint alone, but may also involve the function of the muscles, hips, ankles, core muscles, weight distribution, and movement patterns of the body.
A physiotherapist will perform a detailed physical assessment to identify the true cause of the symptoms before designing an individualized rehabilitation program to help reduce pain, restore knee function, and reduce the chance of recurrence.
Assessment Process by a Physiotherapist
1. Detailed Symptom History Assessment
A physiotherapist will ask for information such as:
- Characteristics and location of pain
- Activities that trigger symptoms
- History of injuries or surgery
- Goals for returning to daily activities or sports
2. Physical and Movement Assessment
A physiotherapist will perform a detailed assessment, including:
- Knee joint range of motion
- Muscle strength and flexibility
- Knee stability
- Gait Analysis
- Weight-bearing assessment
- Balance Assessment
- Movement Analysis
To identify the underlying factors contributing to the pain.
3. Individualized Rehabilitation Planning
After the assessment, the physiotherapist will design a treatment program suitable for each individual by considering:
- The cause of symptoms
- Severity level
- Patient’s goals
- Lifestyle and work activities
To help patients regain confidence in using their knees and reduce the risk of re-injury.
