KNEE PAINknee pain

The knee is highly susceptible to both traumatic and over-use injuries.  The most common cause of knee pain is due to a problem with the patella (knee cap).  Knee pain is often a compensatory problem due to joint dysfunction/immobility in the ankle, hip, or pelvis.

Several soft-tissue structures can be affected with knee problems including the anterior and posterior cruciate ligament, medial and lateral meniscus, medial and lateral collateral ligaments and quadriceps muscle/tendon.  Tightness in the lateral quadriceps muscle and weakness in the medial quadriceps muscle is very common and predisposes the knee to injury.

The following may be the reason you are experiencing knee pain:

  1. Patellofemoral (knee cap) disorder
  2. Meniscus tear (medial or lateral)
  3. Osteoarthritis, aka degenerative joint disease
  4. Iliotibial band syndrome (lateral knee pain)
  5. Referred pain from the low back, hip or sacroiliac joint
  6. Quadriceps tendonosis
  7. Bursitis
  8. Collateral ligament sprain (medial or lateral)

Spine & Sports Chiropractic’s knee treatment approach includes:

  1. Chiropractic spinal and extremity adjustments:  Adjustments help restore normal joint function that is often needed in the pelvis, hip, ankle and knee for conditions causing knee pain.
  2. Physiotherapy:  To reduce acute pain, inflammation and muscle spasm.
  3. Muscle and soft-tissue techniques:  To help reduce muscle/ligament pain, tightness and adhesions and improve muscle/ligament function.
  4. Therapeutic exercises:  Specific “low-tech” rehabilitation exercises and assisted stretches are recommended to strengthen weak/inhibited muscles, improve flexibility and range of motion and prevent re-injury.
  5. Diet and supplement suggestions:  An anti-inflammatory diet with appropriate supplementation such as glucosamine/chrondroitin sulfate has been shown to help reduce knee pain.
  6. Lifestyle modifications:  Repetitive stress activities may need to be eliminated.  In cases of advanced knee osteoarthritis, a partial knee joint replacement or total knee replacement may be indicated.