Physiotherapy Exercises For Knee Pain Pdf
Contents
What do physical therapists do for knee pain?
What Knee Conditions Can PT Help With? – Whether your pain is sudden or chronic, some situations where PT can help include: Meniscus tear. Physical therapy can be highly effective for the management of a meniscal tear, says Fritz Eannucci. “Recent research has shown that physical therapy is not inferior to arthroscopic meniscal surgery for improving self-reported knee function up to 24 months after injury.
In fact, depending on the study, the level of pain and function is the same for patients up to 24 months after a meniscal tear, regardless of whether they did surgery or PT.” PT usually focuses on strengthening and stretching the muscles around the knee so they can better act as shock absorbers during daily activities.
A physical therapist may also work to modify activities or improve movement patterns to make them easier and less painful for activities such as walking, climbing stairs, squatting, etc. Knee ligament sprain. Treatment is similar to that for a meniscus tear, and also may include bracing for protection of the knee or taping for swelling and/or pain.
PT will also include strengthening, stretching, balance training, and slowly increasing activity so that the person can return to their previous level of function. Osteoarthritis (OA). “A structured exercise program is considered a core treatment for knee OA,” says Fritz Eannucci. PT focuses primarily on joint protection strategies, such as bracing, and strengthening the muscles around the knee so they can absorb the impact on the knee better during daily activities.
Stretching can also help protect the knee and maintain range of motion, which often diminishes with OA. The physical therapist may also work to modify activities or improve movement patterns to make them easier and less painful, such as getting up and down from a chair.
- Finally, they will build a home exercise program for long-term management of knee OA.
- Patellofemoral pain syndrome.
- A thorough evaluation is important for this type of pain, says Fritz Eannucci, since many different things may contribute, and treatment must be specific to each person.
- For example, flat feet may cause the patella (better known as the kneecap) to track improperly.
In this case, foot orthotics may help. If weak hips cause the knees to turn in during certain activities, hip strengthening exercises will help. “Strengthening the quadriceps muscle and hips is a hallmark of PT care for patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome,” she adds.
Can knee pain be fixed with exercise?
Simple home exercises and stretches can help ease some common types of knee pain. – If you’ve got sore knees, exercise might seem like the hardest thing you can do — but it’s also one of the best. “Exercise is one of the most important things you can do for knee pain,” says Dr.
- Lauren Elson, an instructor in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Harvard Medical School.
- The right combination of strengthening and stretching exercises can relieve pain by helping to improve the way the joint moves and functions.
- The knee is often an innocent bystander between the hip and the foot.
Knee pain is often caused by problems occurring above or below,” says Dr. Elson. For example, weak hip muscles may cause more strain on the knee, intensifying your pain. Strengthening the muscles around the hip joint can help relieve it, says Dr. Elson. In addition, knee pain is sometimes caused or aggravated by tight muscles around the knee, a problem that is often successfully addressed by stretching.
- If the muscles aren’t flexible, the knee joint sometimes won’t move properly, says Dr. Elson.
- Nee exercises and stretches can help relieve knee pain caused by many conditions, including these three that commonly affect older women: Patellofemoral pain.
- This condition typically causes a dull, aching pain in the front of the knee that’s made worse by daily activities, such as squatting, going up or down stairs, or standing up after sitting for a long period of time.
The pain is caused by irritation of the cartilage underneath the kneecap when it does not glide or sit properly. Exercise can help to eliminate problems that lead to this irritation. Stretches can loosen tight muscles on the side of the knee that may be pulling the kneecap out of its groove as it moves.
Strengthening weak hip muscles or stretching tight muscles in the front or back of the legs can also reduce discomfort. Chronic degenerative meniscal tears. When one or both pads of cartilage that cushion each of your knee joints deteriorates or tears, you may feel pain and a sticking or locking sensation.
While surgery is sometimes necessary, doctors usually first recommend physical therapy to help build up the muscles around the knee to take the pressure off the joint and reduce discomfort. Osteoarthritis. If you’re over age 50 and you have stiffness, pain, or swelling, it may be osteoarthritis.
- Years of wear and tear can break down the cartilage in the knees, leading to chronic joint inflammation.
- A past injury may also lead to arthritis.
- While nothing can reverse these physical changes, you can reduce pain by building up the muscles around the knee as well as in the pelvis and core.
- Strong muscles act like scaffolding, taking some of the pressure off the joints.
Stretching to increase flexibility can help the joint function properly.
While many conditions that cause knee pain can be helped by exercise, in some instances it may not be appropriate, says Dr. Lauren Elson, an instructor in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Harvard Medical School. You should stop exercising and see a doctor if you have any of the following symptoms:
Image: © ipopba/Getty Images |
To ease knee pain, you’ll want to perform exercises that work a number of different muscles, from the hip abductors to the hamstrings and quadriceps, says Dr. Elson. Two to add to your routine are the side-leg raise, and the single-leg lift. Do this workout at least two days a week to start and ideally work up to every other day.
- How many exercises you do in each session is your choice.
- But keep in mind that rushing through exercises can be counterproductive.
- It’s more important to have good form than it is to have volume,” says Dr. Elson.
- Start slowly with fewer repetitions to ensure you get your form right.
- Then add more as it becomes easier.
SIDE-LEG RAISE Starting position: Lie on your right side, with your legs straight. Bend your right forearm upward and rest your head on your hand. Movement: Keep your legs straight and slowly lift your left leg up toward the ceiling. Pause, then slowly return to the starting position. Finish all repetitions, then repeat on the left side. Tips and techniques:
- Throughout the movement, keep your hips straight and still as if you were lying with your back against a wall.
- Contract your abdominal muscles and keep your pelvis still (no rocking) throughout.
- Lift your leg up as high as possible without letting your hip move and while maintaining good form.
- Make it easier: Lift your top leg a shorter distance, or lean your back against a wall for support.
- Make it harder: Tie resistance tubing around your upper thighs, or increase the number of repetitions.
- SINGLE-LEG LIFT
Starting position: Lie on your back with your legs straight. Extend one leg, foot slightly flexed. Rest your hands at your sides on the floor. Movement: Tighten your thigh muscles and slowly lift the leg in the air until your knees are aligned. Pause, then slowly lower your leg to rest on the floor. Finish all repetitions, then repeat with the other leg. Tips and techniques:
- Keep your abdominal muscles contracted.
- Keep your hips on the floor as you lift one leg.
- Exhale as you lift.
Make it easier: Lift your leg a shorter distance. Make it harder: At a slow, controlled pace, try tracing the letter T with your leg in the air. Lift up one leg four inches, move the leg four inches to the left, return to center, move the leg four inches to the right, return to center, then lower your leg to the floor.
- Finish all repetitions, then repeat with the other leg.
- You should also incorporate daily stretching into your routine.
- Try using a foam roller to work out the kinks in your muscles.
- The roller targets tight, rigid, and painful areas in both the muscles and the myofascial tissue (a layer of connective tissue around the muscles).
This process, called myofascial release, which can also be performed through a hands-on massage, is designed to relax this tissue to reduce pain. It does this by releasing tension in muscles that are pulling abnormally on the knee joint, says Dr. Elson. Starting position: Lie on your back with your legs straight and your arms by your side. Movement: Grasp your right leg with both hands behind the thigh. Extend your leg to lift your right foot toward the ceiling, foot flexed. Straighten the leg as much as possible without locking the knee to feel a stretch along the back of the right thigh.
- Stretch the leg extended toward the ceiling to the point of mild tension without any pressure behind the knee or any pain.
- Relax your shoulders down and back into the floor.
- Make it easier: Don’t lift your leg as high, or use a strap instead of your hands to support your leg.
- Make it harder: Pull your leg closer to your chest.
- QUADRICEPS STRETCH
Starting position: Stand on the floor with your feet spaced shoulder-width apart. Movement: Bend your right knee and bring the heel toward your right buttock. Reach back with your right hand and take hold of your foot. Hold the stretch, then slowly lower your foot to the floor. Repeat the stretch with your left leg. Tips and techniques:
- Stand straight.
- Keep your bent knee aligned with the hip, not pointing out to the side.
Make it easier: Lie on your stomach to do the same stretch. Place a yoga strap around your foot and hold on to both ends as you get into the starting position. Then use the strap to assist with the stretch. Make it harder: Doing the stretch on your stomach, lift your knee off the floor slightly, without pulling your foot, to increase the stretch.
How long does it take for physical therapy to work on knee?
How long will my knee rehabilitation take? – The length of your knee rehabilitation will depend upon your particular situation. Usually, knee therapy requires time and patience to work. You can expect to go to therapy up to several times a week for several weeks or more.
Is Walk good for knee pain?
Walking as a form of exercise has enormous benefits, particularly for older adults. It’s easy on the joints and helps boost heart health and improve circulation and balance. And new research now suggests that taking a walk can reduce and prevent knee pain related to osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis.
Can you massage knee pain?
Final Thoughts – Massage can be a great way to relieve knee pain and improve your overall mobility. It can help to reduce inflammation, improve circulation, and increase the range of motion. Massage can also help reduce stress, improve athletic performance, and relieve pain.
There are different massage techniques that can help alleviate knee pain and help you feel better. However, it is important to note that massage should not be used in cases of osteoporosis, directly on varicose veins, or pre-existing high blood pressure. If you are experiencing knee pain, it is important to consult a healthcare provider to determine the best course of treatment.
With the proper care and attention, you can give your knees the care they deserve and help them to live a long and healthy life.
What is the number one mistake for bad knees?
Over- or Under-exercising – Getting the right amount of exercise, in the right ways, is key to preventing knee pain. Not exercising enough, or exercising too much, can both leave your knees feeling uncomfortable. If you over-exercise, you can wear out your knee joints.
Over-exercising can be the result of too much activity, but it can also be caused by the wrong kind of activity. When you work out, be sure to take time to stretch, and chose the right exercise regimen for your unique health needs. If you need suggestions, talk to Dr. Harris about the types of exercise that are best for you.
Low-impact options, like swimming or water aerobics, may be a better choice than high-impact activities like running or playing sports. Under-exercising can leave you in pain, as well. Without muscle strength, your joints become under-supported. Use moderate exercise to build up your leg muscles, stretch your ligaments, and maintain healthy cartilage.
Is cycling good for bad knees?
Is cycling the best answer for knee osteoarthritis? | World Medical Hospital Is cycling the best answer for knee osteoarthritis? Either you currently have knee osteoarthritis, or just developing knee pain from time to time and worry about the best way of exercise.
- This health article got some answers for you.
- Exercising is a vital activity for boosting the immune system as well as your endurance.
- The most appropriate exercise for patients with knee pain or knee osteoarthritis is the one that causes the least impact at the knee joint.
- The lesser impact at the knee joint means a lower chance of knee injury, so this is why most research suggests that cycling and swimming are the best exercises for patients with knee problems.
Therefore, cycling is a very great exercise for patients with knee osteoarthritis condition. In addition, cycling is also a right choice of exercise for patients who suffer from spondylosis with nerve root compression in some cases (and we will definitely talk about this in later articles).
Cycling makes knee joint bend and stretch gently and helps to ease the movement of the joint. Cycling also improves the muscle strength around the knee joint, which ultimately protects the knee joint if there are any impact actions. So it’s wise to say that cycling promotes knee joint health in many ways.
Furthermore, cycling is a cardio workout. Cardio workout is known to enhance cardiology strength, improving sleep quality, and a great way to relieve stress. There are so many concerns about whether cycling could cause more severe knee osteoarthritis or not. The answer can be both “yes” and “no”. Usually, cycling cause quite a small impact to the knee joint. The joint also moves gently in a circular motion. Cycling has to be very extreme to develop osteoarthritis condition, like athlete cycling – which involves standing and fast-paced cycling.
- Cycling in this way causes intense pressure at the knee joint and cartilage.
- If the knee joint and knee muscle are not strong enough, the knee will be severely injured.
- Another point to concern is to tone down the pressure at the knee cap during cycling.
- You can do this by customizing the bicycle appropriately.
Adjust the seat to be a little higher. The seat is in a good position when you paddle the pedal to the farthest bottom; your knee position is bending by only 10-15 degrees angle. You may move the seat to the front or the rear as desired. The position of the knee joint when you paddle the pedal at the very front should be absolute vertical and directly match to the thumb joint of the foot.
Recommend to ride using lesser efforts; you can gradually extend the riding time based on your present conditions Stop the ride immediately if there is any pain. Take a break and reduce effort level for the next ride Stretch the muscle around your hip joint, knee joint, and ankle joint every time before and after cycling
The preferred bicycle should have these options:
Can adjust the seat upper or lower to match your physique Offers bicycle gears to let you customize the effort level If you have neck, shoulder, or back pain, consider the bicycle with high handlebars
Taking good care of your knee joint today surely reduces the risk of osteoarthritis knee, which ultimately lower the concern knee pain as well as the chance for the patient to undergo knee replacement surgery. Having free of pain in your everyday life promotes better life quality.
Article by Dr. Kreangsak Lekkreusuwan Orthopaedics Surgery Sub-specialty in Pain Mangement and Hip, Knee, and Shoulder Arthroplasty Advanced Orthopedic Center, 2nd Fl., World Medical Hospital Tel: +66 2 836 9999 ext.2621-3
: Is cycling the best answer for knee osteoarthritis? | World Medical Hospital
Should I see a PT for knee pain?
When to See a Physical Therapist for Knee Pain Treatment | Back In Motion PT Your knees are important joints with many ligaments responsible for supporting your weight and enabling you to walk, run and jump. It’s common to experience knee pain, especially in athletes due to the amount of stress and heavy use they put on their knees.
However, when this pain lasts for a long time or is suddenly caused by an injury, you should visit a physical therapist for At Back in Motion Physical Therapy, we specialize in working with a variety of physical conditions, including knee pain. Physical rehabilitation of the knee is essential because if chronic knee pain is left ignored, your joints may become stiff, leading to permanent disability.
The physical therapists at Back in Motion Physical Therapy share a combined 70 years of experience in treating conditions like knee pain. Some of the knee conditions we help patients with include:
Sports injuries Ligament sprains and tears Meniscus tears, damage to cartilage Arthritis, joint pain Bursitis, extra liquid in the joint Tendinitis, inflammation of the tendons Recovery from knee surgery
Please, visit our if you would like to learn more about the many services we offer for knee pain treatment. If you want to speak with someone about how physical therapy might help treat your knee pain, you can always at one of our five offices located throughout southern Maine.
What is knee physiotherapy like?
Physiotherapy to help your knee – Physiotherapy for the knee involves evaluating and assessing the affected leg, from your hip to your foot. Your physical therapist will assess you and prescribe a knee pain treatment to help decrease pain and improve mobility.