Knee Pain
There are many different conditions affecting the knee joint including:
- Arthritis
- Weakness
- Anterior knee pain
- Posterior knee pain
- Lateral Knee Pain
- Medial Knee Pain
- Swollen knee
- Clicking / locking knee
- “Giving way”
- Traumatic injury
- Dashboard injury
- Surgery
Arthritis
There are numerous types of arthritis. Osteoarthritis is by far the most common, often described as general ‘wear and tear’ of a joint.
- Osteoarthritis (OA)
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
- Reactive arthritis
- Septic arthritis
Weakness
Weakness is commonly seen in patients with arthritic and post operative knees. Many arthritic patients with weakness have difficulty standing from a chair or sofa and struggle whilst negotiating the stairs. An individual graduated strengthening programme is required and written for each individual patient.
Anterior Knee Pain
Anterior knee pain presents over the front of the knee. There are many causes of anterior knee pain:
- Patellofemoral instability
- Fat pad irritation / impingement
- Patellar tendinopathy
- Synovial plica
- Osgood-Schlatter lesion
- Sinding-Larsen-Johansson lesion
- Quadriceps tendinopathy
- Bursitis
Posterior Knee Pain
Posterior knee pain presents at the back of the knee. This seen less commonly than anterior knee pain but also has a number of potential causes:
- Hamstring tendinopathy
- Knee joint effusion
- Referred pain from patellofemoral instability, the lumbar spine or neural tension
- Polpiteus tendinopathy
- Baker’s cyst
- Gastrocnemius (calf muscle) tendinopathy
- Deep venous thrombosis (DVT)
- Claudication
- Posterior cruciate ligament sprain
Lateral Knee Pain
Lateral knee pain presents on the outside surface of the knee joint. It can be caused by:
- Lateral meniscus abnormality
- Osteoarthritis of the lateral compartment
- Excessive lateral pressure syndrome
- Hamstring tendinopathy
- Superior tibiofibular joint injury
- Referred pain from the lumbar spine
Medial Knee Pain
Medial knee pain presents on the inside surface of the knee and can be caused by:
- Patellofemoral syndrome
- Medial meniscus abnormality
- Osteoarthritis of the medial compartment
- Pes anserinus tendinopathy / bursitis
- Pellegrini-Stieda syndrome
- ‘Breaststroker’s knee’
Swollen Knee
The degree and on-set of swelling is an important clue used in diagnosing an injury.
Clicking / Locking Knee
This is often seen in meniscal injuries or if a loose body is present within the knee joint. If the knee locks in a bent position the injury is likely to be of meniscal origin. A knee that locks in a straight position is more likely to be caused by patellofemoral pain and injury.
“Giving Way”
“Giving way” can occur in unstable knees such as those with anterior cruciate ligament ruptures. It can also occur in conjunction with meniscal (cartilage) tears, patellofemoral pain or severe knee pain.
Patients with recurrent patellar dislocations or loose bodies within the joint may also get sensations of the knee giving way. Knees that only give way on stairs / steps usually points to quadriceps weakness.
Traumatic Knee Injury
Acute knee injuries can cause considerable discomfort and potentially long periods off work / sporting activities. Injury can be caused by direct trauma or twisting movements. Common traumatic injuries seen are:
- Patellofemoral syndrome
- Meniscal (cartilage) injury
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears
- Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) tears
- Medial collateral ligament injury
- Lateral collateral ligament injury
- Patellar fracture
- Patellar dislocation
- Patellar tendon rupture
- Bursal haemotoma
- Fat pad impingement
- Tibial plateau fracture
- Superior tibiofibular joint injury
- Ruptured hamstring tendon
- Coronary ligament sprain
Dashboard Injury
Knee injuries are common in road traffic accidents. Ligamentous injury and / or bone bruising can occur, especially with front seat passengers, if the knee/s impacts into the dashboard.
Knee Trauma and Surgery
Some patients require orthopaedic surgery following a knee injury. Rehabilitation must commence from the time of injury, not surgery. Pre-operative physiotherapy starts with acute injury management and progresses to improving strength and range of movement to allow accelerated post operative recovery.
Physio Team-Works has many close links with top surgeons in the North West of England. We see patients referred for specialist rehabilitation following knee surgery, typically arthroscopies, meniscectomies, ligament reconstructions and knee replacements.
We also have treated patients who have undergone chrondral resurfacing, transplantation. We are ideally equipped to manage these types of problems and have an in depth knowledge of the post operative protocols. Acute knee injuries can cause considerable discomfort and potentially long periods off work / sporting activities. Injury can be caused by direct trauma or twisting movements.
Contact us
Physio Team-Works will be able to guide you through these stages of rehabilitation. We can assist in monitoring your progress, setting your goals, and providing appropriate treatment to maximise your recovery potential.
We can also inform you of how you can help your own recovery, and what should be avoided. You will be provided a specific rehabilitation programme, and we aim to back to your full levels of activity and/or sport as quickly as possible.
Call 07486 692119 or complete our quick online form to arrange an appointment.
