Say Goodbye To Knee Pain With Physical Therapy!
Have you noticed that walking or going up and down stairs seems more difficult, thanks to your knees? Do you search for a parking spot close to the store entrance out of concern for your knees? If this is you, it is time to let the experts at St. Pete Physical Therapy get to the root of your knee pain and help you resolve your knee pain once and for all! Knee pain is a common complaint, especially as we get older. Fortunately, the results-oriented physical therapists at St. Pete Physical Therapy offer proven solutions to address your knee pain!
You may feel tempted to limit your movement if you’re struggling with knee pain. However, this is likely the opposite of what you should do–regular exercise is crucial in managing or relieving persistent knee pain. Research shows that the knees need movement to stay healthy. No matter how tempting it may be to limit your everyday activities to avoid pain, it likely will not help your knees and may make them worse. Furthermore, there are some cases where knee pain is actually caused by impairments elsewhere in the body, such as the hip, core or ankle. Finding knee pain relief can be challenging, which is why it is so important to seek the help and expertise of a Doctor of Physical Therapy.
At St. Pete Physical Therapy, we’ll help you dig down to the root of your knee pain, including determining if it’s a problem with your knee at all! Once we know the cause of your pain, we’ll develop an evidence-based physical therapy treatment plan that will get you moving and feeling your best–without the use of dangerous drugs or invasive surgery.
Knee pain doesn’t have to be an inevitable part of growing older. Our expert physical therapists will help you control your pain and improve your mobility–so you can get back to a healthy, active lifestyle!
Request your appointment at our St. Petersburg, FL physical therapy clinic today.
Why Does My Knee Hurt?
Understanding the Causes of Knee Pain
Firstly, it’s important to understand that knee pain isn’t always a knee problem. The knee joint relies on the joints above and below it (the hip and the ankle/foot, respectively) to work correctly. Your knee pain might very well be an issue with your hip or ankles, not the knee itself.
That said, there are situations where knee pain is due to an injury or other impairment in the knee. Your knee joint is a complex blend of muscles, nerves, and bones. Every time you bend and straighten that joint, all those tissues must work together to get moving. If something goes wrong in even one area, it could lead to pain.
Fortunately, at St. Pete Physical Therapy in St. Petersburg, FL, our physical therapists are experts at getting to the root of your knee pain. Here are some of the conditions and injuries of the knee that could be causing your pain:
- Arthritis: The most common type of arthritis for knee pain is osteoarthritis (OA). This condition occurs when the cartilage surrounding your joints deteriorates, and the joint no longer has a sufficient cushion between the bone. This leads to joint inflammation, with varying pain levels, stiffness, and reduced mobility.
- Cartilage Injuries: Also known as the meniscus, the cartilage in your knee is a flexible connective tissue that protects your bones and joints. If you twist your knee quickly while bearing weight or sustain other trauma, the cartilage may be injured. It is also possible for prolonged inactivity or repetitive movements to cause fraying and eventually tearing of the cartilage.
- Ligament Injuries: The ligaments in your knee are strong bands of connective tissue holdingthe bones together and keep your knee stable. Most common knee ligament injuries are the ACL, MCL, LCL and PCL. Sudden stops and twists or direct blows to the knee often cause ligament injuries.
- Tendinitis: Your tendons are thick connective tissues that attach muscles to bones. Tendinitis occurs when the tendon becomes inflamed due to repetitive movements. Most common tendonitis in the knee is patellar tendonitis. Inflammation of the patellar tendon is common in jumping and landing motions and sports like skiing, running, cycling, and basketball.
- Knee bursitis: Bursae are closed, fluid-filled sacs that cushion and help create a smooth, gliding surface to reduce friction between body tissues. An injury, overuse, or repeated pressure on the knee can cause inflammation in the bursae, leading to pain.
- Patellar Dislocation: A condition in which the kneecap slides out of place, often caused by a sudden change in direction or twisting of the knee.
- Growth Plate Injuries – Seen in children and adolescents when the growth plates have not yet closed. A lesion forms where the bone and cartilage meet and you may experience pain, swelling, difficulty and pain with walking, running, jumping, normal everyday activities.
- Fractures – A fracture of your kneecap after a fall , your shinbone ( tibia) or thigh bone ( femur) can all lead to pain, loss of motion, weakness of the knee and leg and difficulty with everyday activities such as walking, stairs, sitting and standing or running.
The physical therapists at St. Pete Physical Therapy will always work closely with you to determine why you’re experiencing pain, so we can provide you with evidence-based treatments that will get you the relief you’re looking for.
Get to the source of your knee pain–schedule your appointment today!
Achieve Your Goals With St. Pete Physical Therapy
Physical therapy for knee pain relief in St. Petersburg, FL
Our team of experts always offers customized, evidence-based treatment plans developed around your specific needs and abilities.
When you come in for your initial consultation, we’ll start with a comprehensive knee evaluation, including a thorough medical history and hands-on physical assessment. Through various mobility tests, we’ll be able to determine if the problem is your knee or something else, the extent of the injury, and whether or not you might need surgery.
From there, we’ll develop your personalized treatment plan to address your specific needs. We’ll use a blend of different treatment approaches, including the following:
- Manual Therapy: This hands-on treatment technique can reduce pain and restore your mobility. Our physical therapists will guide your knee joint through its range of motion, helping to address impairments.
- Therapeutic Exercise: Our targeted exercises will get the joints moving and address issues with strength and flexibility. We’ll show you stretches to improve your range of motion and resistance exercises to strengthen the muscles around the knee joint.
- Functional Training: If you struggle with everyday movements, such as walking, squatting, stairs, running or standing up after sitting, our therapists will provide specialized exercises to help you “train” for daily tasks.
- Education: Finally, our therapists will help you fully understand your condition and what you can do to see results
No matter your specific needs, our dedicated team of physical therapy experts will find the right blend of treatment methods for you. Whether you’re recovering from an injury or preparing for surgery, we’re here to help you find knee pain relief!
Get started with your treatment today! Call or text us at 727-490-9487 to schedule your appointment!
Your Next Steps…
Request An Appointment
Receive A Custom Treatment Plan
Work Hard and Progress In Your Recovery
Recover & Enjoy Life Pain-Free!