Knee pain can make simple activities surprisingly difficult.
Walking, climbing stairs, getting up from a chair, exercising or even getting out of bed can become uncomfortable. And when knee pain starts, many people wonder whether they should rest and wait for it to go away, or whether it is something that needs to be assessed.
The good news is that knee pain does not always mean serious damage or that you need surgery. There are many possible causes, and understanding what is contributing to your pain is the first step towards managing it.
Where does your knee hurt?
The location and pattern of your pain can provide useful clues.
You may experience:
Pain at the front of the knee
This can be noticeable when climbing or going down stairs, squatting, kneeling or sitting for a long time.
Pain on the inside of the knee
This may occur after an injury, with changes in activity, or from irritation of structures around the inside of the knee.
Pain on the outside of the knee
Pain on the outer side can sometimes be associated with overuse, changes in activity or irritation of tissues around the knee.
Pain at the back of the knee
This may be associated with problems within or around the knee joint, muscles or other structures behind the knee.
Pain around the whole knee
Some people experience a more general aching or stiffness rather than pain in one specific location.
The location alone, however, does not tell us exactly what is causing the problem. Your symptoms need to be considered together with your movement, strength, activity levels and history.
What can cause knee pain?
Knee pain can develop for many different reasons.
Overuse or a change in activity
Increasing your walking, running, gym sessions, sports or other physical activity suddenly can put more stress on the knee than your body is accustomed to.
This can lead to pain and irritation even when there has been no specific injury.
Muscle weakness or imbalance
The knee does not work in isolation.
The muscles around your hip, thigh and lower leg all contribute to how your knee moves and absorbs load. If certain muscles are weak or not working efficiently, the knee may experience additional stress during everyday activities or exercise.
Previous injury
A previous knee injury can sometimes continue to affect how you move long after the original pain has settled.
This may include injuries sustained while playing sport, falling, twisting the knee or landing awkwardly.
Joint changes
As we get older, changes within the knee joint can contribute to pain, stiffness and reduced mobility.
However, having changes on an X-ray or scan does not automatically mean that pain is inevitable or that nothing can be done.
Problems involving the muscles, tendons or other tissues
Pain can also come from structures surrounding the knee rather than the joint itself.
This is one reason why identifying the source of the pain is important before deciding what treatment is appropriate.
When should you come into the clinic?
You don’t have to wait until your knee pain becomes severe.
It is worth arranging an assessment if:
- Your knee pain has lasted for several days or weeks and is not improving
- The pain keeps coming back
- You are gradually reducing your normal activities because of your knee
- Walking, stairs, squatting or getting up from a chair is becoming difficult
- Your knee feels stiff or restricted
- You experience swelling repeatedly
- Your knee feels unstable, weak or as though it may give way
- You have pain after exercise that consistently returns
- You have had a previous knee injury and the knee has never fully recovered
- You are changing the way you walk because of the pain
You don’t need to be in severe pain to benefit from an assessment.
Sometimes getting the problem assessed early can help you understand what is contributing to your symptoms before they start affecting more of your daily life.
What if your knee suddenly swells or you injured it?
A knee that becomes very swollen after an injury, particularly if you cannot put weight on it or move it normally, should be assessed promptly.
You should also seek urgent medical attention if you have severe pain following a significant injury, an obvious deformity, a hot and very swollen knee accompanied by fever, or sudden inability to bear weight.
These symptoms may require medical assessment rather than simply waiting for the pain to settle.
Does knee pain mean you should stop exercising?
Not necessarily.
In fact, completely stopping movement for a prolonged period is not always the best approach.
The right level and type of activity depends on what is causing your pain, how irritable your knee is and your overall physical condition.
A professional assessment can help you understand what you should continue, what you may need to modify and which exercises may help you build your strength and movement again.
How do we assess knee pain at Chiropractic & Physiotherapy Health Centre?
At Chiropractic & Physiotherapy Health Centre, we don’t just look at where your knee hurts.
We want to understand why it hurts and how it is affecting the way you move.
Your assessment may include:
Understanding your symptoms
We discuss when the pain started, where you feel it, what makes it better or worse, your activity levels, previous injuries and how the problem is affecting your everyday life.
Physical assessment
We assess your knee movement, strength, flexibility and the way your hip, knee and lower limb work together. Where appropriate, we also assess other areas that may be contributing to your symptoms.
Spine Scan
Where relevant, we use our spine scanning technology to assess areas of tension and imbalance around the muscles and nerves of the spine.
Once we understand what may be contributing to your symptoms, we can recommend an appropriate management plan. This may include physiotherapy, chiropractic care, exercises, advice on activity modification or referral for further medical investigation where necessary.
Don’t let knee pain become your new normal
You may be putting off getting your knee checked because you are hoping the pain will eventually disappear.
Perhaps you have already tried resting it, taking painkillers or simply working around the problem.
But if your knee pain is persistent, recurring or affecting the things you want to do, it is worth finding out what is contributing to it.
You don’t have to wait until you can no longer walk, exercise or climb stairs.
Book an assessment at Chiropractic & Physiotherapy Health Centre and let us help you understand your knee pain and what you can do about it.
Move Better. Feel Better. Live Better.