The knee consists of four main parts, the cartilage, ligament, tendons, and bones, and they can all cause you trouble. If you’re in pain, then you’ll want to know what treatment options are available and which physiotherapy is best for knee pain.
Whether your knee pain is acute or chronic, getting physiotherapy is a great idea. Here we’ll take a look at how to identify what knee pain you have, what physio is best for it, and what you should expect. Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
How to Identify the Type of Knee Pain You Have?
Before going for physiotherapy, it is better to know about your knee pain. Depending on the type of knee pain, your therapist will prepare a plan for your treatment journey.
Acute Pain – This type of pain is often a result of an injury. The pain is severe and lasts up to a week after the injury. Make sure to give enough rest to your knees and avoid any painful motion.
Sub–Acute Pain – This type of pain lasts from two to six weeks after the injury. The pain is tolerable and it is a good time to start improving mobility by doing gentle motions and stretches.
Chronic Pain – Knee pain that lasts more than three months comes under chronic pain. Such pain is not very intense however, they do restrict movement in the Knee.
Which Physiotherapy Is Best For Knee Pain?
Physiotherapy is an excellent form of treatment for knee pain, as the highly trained professionals can customize a plan to meet your individual needs.
Heat, massage and exercise are some of the more common physiotherapy treatments used to reduce inflammation and discomfort in the knee joints.
Additionally, non-surgical solutions like orthotics or electrical muscle stimulation may be recommended by your physiotherapist to combat stiffness and increase flexibility in the joint muscles.
Depending on your severity of pain, any combination of these therapies could help improve your condition over time. Speak with your doctor or therapist for further advice on which types of physiotherapy may be best suited for your individual knee condition.
When to See a Physiotherapist for Knee Pain?
Wondering whether or not you should see a physiotherapist? If you’re thinking about it, then you probably should! But here are some sure signs to look out for.
- Knee pain that starts impacting mobility
- Severe pain in the knee area while walking or making any movement in the knee
- Swelling in the knee after an injury
- ‘Pop’ or ‘cracking’ sound in knee accompanied by pain
- Numbness or tingling sensation in the lower leg or your knees
- Unable to fold your legs due to constant pain
What to Expect From Physiotherapy for Knee Pain?
During your first visit, your physiotherapist will get a proper diagnosis of the pain. They will ask about your medical history focusing on the knee problem or any other contributing factors to your pain. After all the assessments, a focused examination will be conducted to check the condition of your knee.
- Your physio will ask you to walk and notices the changes in the motion of the knee
- They will touch the area to check for abnormalities, swelling, or structural problems
- They will check the range of motion of your knee to check how much you are able to stretch and bend your knees
- Measuring the strength of the muscles around your knee will help to see if muscle weakness is the reason behind the knee pain
How Can Physiotherapy Help In Treating Knee Pain?
A physiotherapist will develop a rehabilitation program specific to your knee pain. This program will not only help reduce knee pain but also assist you in going back to your daily activities. Below are some of the treatments included in physiotherapy.
Educating Patient – After learning about your problem, your therapist will determine the right course of action, and advise on what you can do to reduce pain.
Managing Pain – Your physiotherapist will help you in managing knee pain by detailing what self-care treatments would be best for you such as medication and ice/heat therapy.
Range of Motion Exercises – Knee pain also causes limited mobility, which results in stress on your knee. Improving the range of motion will reduce tension and helps to restore normal function.
Manual Therapy – Your physiotherapist may use hands-on techniques to apply gentle pressure and move muscles and joints.
Muscle Strengthening – Weak and imbalanced muscles are also the cause of knee pain. Depending on your condition, a physiotherapist will make a resistance program for you. It will help in strengthening your core muscles to reduce stress on your knee.
Functional Training – Once your knee pain is improved and you feel strength in your joints, it is important to learn safe movements which won’t cause any setbacks. The goal is to minimize the stress on the knees and do activities correctly and safely.
How Long Does It Take Knee Pain To Get Better?
A physiotherapist will inform you how many therapy sessions are needed to see improvement. Physiotherapy sessions can be several times a week and can be continued for more than a month. The time period of your rehabilitation program is usually decided based on the severity of your condition.
You need to work on your body until you achieve your recovery goals. Along with the sessions, it is also important to follow the instructions that are given by your physiotherapist while carrying out daily activities.
There are many different conditions and injuries that can cause knee pain. Therefore, it can be hard to give any specific timescale on your recover. After an assessment, you physiotherapist will have a much better idea.
Final Thoughts
There are many different causes of knee pain, and it’s important to find the right solution for you. A physiotherapist will give you an assessment, and they will then have a much clearer idea of which approaches will be right for you.
If you’re in pain, then it makes sense to seek medical help right away. The sooner you see a physiotherapist, the sooner you can be on the road to recovery.
