Knee Pain
It’s important not to ignore knee pain, as doing so can lead to long-term damage. Seeking specialist care during the early stages of the condition can help prevent further joint deterioration and alleviate pain more effectively.
What Is Knee Pain ?
Knee pain is a widespread issue that affects individuals of all ages and activity levels. Since walking is a fundamental part of daily life, knee pain can greatly affect mobility and overall well-being. For runners, for example, the repeated impact on their knees, hips, and lower back can lead to discomfort. Others may find climbing stairs or simply getting out of a chair painful, often due to joint stress or weakness in the surrounding muscles.
If you’re dealing with knee pain, there are various potential causes, and treatment doesn’t always involve injections or surgery. Often, the issue can stem from something as simple as an imbalance on one side of the kneecap. Other possible causes include weakness in the hips or core, or problems unrelated to the knee, such as issues in the lower back or with the sciatic nerve.
The most common causes of knee pain include:
- Osteoarthritis – The wear and tear of the knee joint over time, leading to stiffness and discomfort.
- Injuries – Such as ligament tears (ACL, MCL), meniscus tears, or fractures, causing pain and reduced mobility.
- Tendonitis – Inflammation of the tendons, often resulting from repetitive movement.
- Bursitis – Swelling of the fluid-filled sacs that cushion the knee, typically caused by overuse or frequent kneeling.
What Are The Symptoms Of Knee Pain ?
Knee pain can manifest in various ways, including aching, sharp pain, stiffness, or swelling. The pain may be constant or occur only during certain activities, such as walking, climbing stairs, or kneeling. Some individuals may also experience difficulty bearing weight on the affected leg or a sensation of the knee giving way. Swelling and warmth around the joint can also be present, along with limited range of motion.
The consequences of not addressing knee pain can be significant. Over time, untreated knee pain can lead to further damage to the joint, including the wearing down of cartilage or ligaments. This may result in chronic pain, reduced mobility, and difficulty performing everyday activities. The body may compensate for the pain by shifting weight to the other leg, which can lead to issues in other joints, such as the hips or lower back. In some cases, untreated knee pain can increase the risk of developing conditions like osteoarthritis, which can further impair quality of life.
What Is Our Approach To Fixing / Treating Knee Pain ?
At Chichester Physio, we treat a wide range of knee injuries, whether they’re caused by activities like skiing, playing tennis, or even from something as simple as walking the dog and twisting your knee when the dog pulls you over. Knee injuries can be incredibly painful and often make it difficult to walk or perform everyday tasks. These injuries can range from issues with the cartilage or meniscus to torn or ruptured ligaments, or even muscle strains and overuse injuries.
When you come to Chichester Physio with knee pain, we start with a comprehensive assessment to understand exactly what’s causing the discomfort. This allows us to determine which structures have been irritated or damaged, what needs strengthening, and what needs attention to calm inflammation. The goal is to fully understand the nature of your injury so we can provide the most effective treatment tailored to your needs.
Our approach combines a variety of treatments to ensure optimal recovery. We use electrotherapy to help reduce inflammation and promote healing by stimulating blood flow to the injured area. Hands-on techniques, such as joint mobilisations and soft tissue work, are also used to help relieve pain, improve mobility, and restore function. Additionally, we often incorporate kinesio taping, which helps unload the damaged structures and provides pain relief while you move.
Once we’ve addressed the immediate pain and discomfort, we focus on rehabilitation. We create a personalised exercise programme designed to strengthen the muscles around the knee, improve joint stability, and restore proper movement patterns. These exercises can be performed at home and are an essential part of your recovery process.
Our ultimate goal is to get you back to doing the things you love, pain-free. After your first session, we hope you’ll leave feeling much better than when you walked in, with a clear plan to continue your recovery and prevent future injury.
Download Our Free Report
Knee pain can hold you back from the activities you love – whether it’s walking, running, or simply getting through the day comfortably. Don’t let pain diminish your quality of life! Our free knee pain report reveals expert tips and natural solutions to ease discomfort, improve mobility and prevent long-term damage – without relying on painkillers, injections or surgery. Take the first step towards pain-free movement today!