Knee Pain Relief
Vancouver registered massage therapist provides physical therapy treatment for knee pain.
Written by Mike Dixon (knee pain specialist)
Electra Health – Downtown Vancouver
Knee Pain Relief
There are many causes of knee pain. One of the more common ones is Patellofemoral Syndrome. Patella: knee cap , Femoral: femur, Syndrome: (/syn·drome/) a set of symptoms occurring together. A condition usually resulting in pain. The bone and cartilage on the underside of the knee cap, and the groove in the femur where the knee cap glides can become irritated with the activities of daily living. Patellofemoral Syndrome presents as a deep achy pain that occurs when the knee is bent for prolonged periods of time. Among other things, sitting in a chair or deep knee bending can set this pain off. If you suffer from Patellofemoral Syndrome, sitting in a movie theatre can become a painful event.
What can be done about this painful condition?
First and foremost, it is necessary to conduct a thorough assessment of the biomechanics of the lower extremities. This means checking alignments and range of motion and measuring leg length. Muscle testing and a neurological exam are also necessary for a proper diagnosis. Once your condition is correctly diagnosed, your therapist should be able to figure out the best approach for treating and correcting the condition. Most likely, this will involve stretching and strengthening the affected muscles and fascia. Your therapist may also provide some physical therapy treatments such as realigning the pelvis and joint manipulation to the sacroiliac or knee joints—patellofemoral or tibiofemoral. Here are some factors that can influence knee pain and joint biomechanics:
- Previous knee injuries such as ligament or cartilage tears.
- Work that requires frequent kneeling or deep squats—carpet laying, painting, construction, driving— puts extra stress on the knee joints.
- Excessive heavy lifting throws off the alignment of the lower extremity, back, and pelvis.
- Age. The muscles around the knee attenuate some of the pressure from the compressive loads our joints experience. Unfortunately, as we age our muscles lose some of their strength and this can cause the knee to become more compressed.
- Lack of stretching. Sitting a lot and not stretching the muscles in the hips and legs causes these muscles to shorten. Shortened muscles increase the effect of the compressive forces on the knee when we walk, run or jump.
- Activities that involve running, i.e. racket sports, put a lot of stress on the knees, particularly with reference to the weekend athlete—one who exercises on the weekends or infrequently—because infrequent stressful activities that require running or ballistic activities are hard on all weight-bearing joints.
Ask yourself:
- Do my knees ache after an hour of sitting?
- Does the pain keep me up at night?
- Do my knees make cracking noises when I’m rising from sitting?
- Are my knees stiff in the morning when first getting up? Does this stiffness last for more than 30 minutes?
- Do my knees hurt during running or sporting activities?
- Is there any visual swelling, or does the knee just feel swollen?
- Do your knees trick you sometimes by not supporting you while walking? Does the knee give way and not support you?
- Do your knees feel unstable or wobbly?
If you answered yes to any of the above questions you should go for an assessment and have your massage therapist provide you with a management plan to help treat and resolve the condition. In alphabetical order, not order of occurrence, here is a list of other common conditions that affect the knee and should be assessed and treated:
- Bursitis: Suprapatellar, Prepatellar, deep infrapatellar, subcutaneous infrapatellar, Pes Anserine, Baker’s Cyst
- Compartment Syndromes
- Hamstring strain or tear
- Jumpers knee (tendonitis of the infrapatellar tendon)
- Ligamentous injuries: ACL, PCL, Medial and Lateral Collaterals
- Meniscus injuries: Tears in the cartilage
- Osteochondritis Dissecans
- Osgood-Schlatter Disease
- Patella subluxations and dislocations
- Synovial Plica
- Shin Splints
- Tibial stress fractures
Bibliography
Carolyn Kisner, M.S., PT, & Lynn Allen Colby, M.S., P.T.: Therapeutic Exercise, Fourth Edition, 2002
Cynthia C. Norkin, EdD, PT & D. Joyce White, DSc, P.T.: Measurement of Joint Motion A Guide to Goniometry, Third Edition, 2003
Darlene Hertling, B.S., R.P.T., Randolph M. Kessler, M.D.: Management of Common Musculoskeletal Disorders, Physical Therapy, Principles and Methods, Second and Third Editions, 1996
David J. Magee, PhD., B.P.T.: Orthopedic Physical Assessment, Second and Third Editions, 1996
Frank H. Netter, M.D., Atlas of Human Anatomy 1993, The CIBA Collection of Medical Illustrations, 1991
Janet G. Travell, M..D., David G. Simons, M.D.: Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction, The Trigger Point Manual, Volume 1 & 2, 1992
Nikita A. Vizniak, D.C. Clinical Consultant Physical Assessment, Second Edition, 2005.
Stanley Hoppenfeld, M.D.: Physical Examination of the Spine & Extremities, 1976
Steve Anderson, RMT, BSc.: Anatomy and Kinesiology lecture notes, 1992
Susan L. Edmond, M.P.H., P.T.: Manipulation Mobilization and Spinal Techniques, 1993
To be assessed or treated for knee pain in Vancouver, please make an appointment with Tanya Bayda (knee pain specialist).
Our downtown Vancouver clinic has over 20 RMT’s on staff,
several of whom are professionally trained to treat knee pain.
For Treatment Of Knee Pain –
Downtown Vancouver Massage Therapy Clinic
Electra Health – 970 Burrard Street, Vancouver BC
Open 7 days a week from 8 am to 8 pm
604-685-4325 (HEAL)
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