Osteopathic guide to knee pain
The knee is the largest joint in the body. It is a weight-bearing joint that is in regular use and as such injuries are a routine occurrence. If you live around Solihull, Knowle, Coventry, Kenilworth, Warwick, Dorridge, Nuneaton and Balsall Common, and experience any of the below, an osteopath may be able to help.
Does any of the below sound familiar?
- Knee pain when climbing the stairs?
- Does your knee lock or give way?
- Knee pain when bending the joint or kneeling?
- Difficulty straightening your knee?
- Instability and weakness in the knee, causing problems with balance?
- A swollen and stiff knee, which is worse in the morning or after prolonged sitting or standing?
- Pain from running?
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What can be the root cause of knee pain?
Knee pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal complaints and can range from a slight ache all the way to debilitating pain where even weight bearing or walking is difficult. It affects all age groups, has many different causes and can present in many different ways.Knee pain can be either referred pain or related to the knee joint itself. It will usually involve inflammation and swelling of the tissues around or in the knee joint. The pain can be at the front, at the back, on the sides, below the knee or in the knee cap itself.Pain in the knee can arise from a variation of problems due to its complex nature. You can have injuries, mechanical problems, types of arthritis and other problems.
Common causes include:
Osteoarthritis – essentially this is wear and tear of the knee which can be treated effectively, especially if the treatment is started early. You may find that your knee is aching or painful after certain activities such as climbing stairs with stiffness present particularly in themornings or after rest. Pain may be experienced within the joint, all around it or in one place.
Referred pain – knee pain may be referred trigger points in muscles further up or down the leg or from compression or irritation of the nerves at various levels from the lower back.
Bursa inflammation – Bursa are like tyres filled with viscous fluid-like material which act as pads between muscles, tendons and bones around the knee. These can become irritated and inflamed, most commonly causing pain just above or below the kneecap.
Sports injuries– If excessive force is applied to the knee, certain structure in the knee joint are put at risk of tearing. Some of these issues include:
- A tear or trapping of the meniscus (cartilage), which is typically caused after a bending and twisting movement through the knee. This often produces symptoms of locking, giving-way &/or swelling.
- Ligament damage, most often via a sideways stress on the knee, usually resulting in feeling of instability. Immediate severe pain and swelling can be expected at the time of injury. Twisting the body whilst the foot is firmly planted can also sprain one of the cruciate ligaments. If there’s a major tear there will be sudden and painful swelling in the knee at the time of injury. The knee often feels unstable and the person is reluctant to use it with any confidence.
How osteopathy can alleviate knee pain
Farah adopt a holistic approach to treating any knee complaint and considering the social and psychological factors contributing to your pain. After an examination, she will make a diagnosis and formulate a tailored treatment planthat suits you. She may use a combination of:
- Joint articulation
- Stretching of the area
- Soft tissue massages.
We improve the mobility, relieve pain, reduce swelling as well as restore balance of the knee. In union with the osteopathic treatment, wemay prescribe exercises and stretches to help strengthen the area and improve your confidence when using the knee. If you are experiencing knee pain and live in Solihull, Knowle, Coventry, Kenilworth, Warwick, Dorridge, Nuneaton or Balsall Common, contact Farah Khan Osteopathy for a consultation.
