Conditions and Treatment
Knee osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis in the knee. It is a degenerative,”wear-and-tear” type of arthritis that occurs commonly in people 50 years of age and older, but may occur in younger people, too.
In osteoarthritis, the cartilage in the knee joint gradually wears away. As the cartilage wears away, it becomes frayed and rough, and the protective space between the bones decreases. This can result in bone rubbing on bone. Swelling and stiffness of the joint eventually leads to pain mainly on weight bearing activities.
Our approach
We can help release the stiffness in the joint due to arthritic changes using knee joint mobilization and taping the joint for better alignment and muscle recruitment. This is followed by specific exercises that help strengthen the muscles of the knee to help support the joint as well as exercises to strengthen the hip to reduce load on the knee joint.
Meniscus tear
Meniscus tears are among the most common knee injuries. Sudden meniscus tears often happen during sports. Players may squat and twist the knee, causing a tear. Following the injury, the person will have sudden pain with swelling and inability to move the joint. Above the age of 40+, people are more likely to have degenerative meniscus tears. Cartilage
weakens and wears thin over time. Aged, worn tissue is more prone to tears. Meniscus tear if not repaired or well taken care of can lead to early wear and tear of the joint.
Our approach
The RICE protocol is effective for most sports-related injuries. RICE stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. Anti-inflammatory drugs pain and swelling. Initially we use gentle exercises to maintain the mobility of the joint and keep the muscles working. This is then followed by an extensive rehabilitation exercise program to strengthen the muscles of the knee and the hip.
ACL injury
About half of all injuries to the anterior cruciate ligament occur along with damage to other structures in the knee, such as articular cartilage, meniscus, or other ligaments. The anterior cruciate ligament can be injured in several ways: -Changing direction rapidly +Stopping suddenly -Slowing down while running -Landing from a jump incorrectly -Direct contact or collision, such as a football tackle and landing in high jumps.
Our approach
Bracing may be recommended to protect your knee from instability. Icing and anti- inflammatory drugs will help to accelerate early healing. As the swelling goes down, a careful graded rehabilitation program is implemented. Exercises to your strengthen knee and the leg muscles will restore function and return to sport at the earliest.
Knee bursitis
Knee bursitis is inflammation of a small fluid-filled sac (bursa) situated near your knee joint. The affected portion of your knee might feel warm, tender and swollen on pressure, movement or even at rest. Most cases of knee bursitis result from friction and irritation of the bursa that occurs in jobs that require a lot of kneeling on hard surfaces. A sharp blow to the knee can also cause symptoms to appear rapidly.
Our approach
We can help by taping the joint to reduce pressure, mobilization to improve range of motion and exercises to maintain the alignment and strengthening exercises for the quadriceps muscle to reduce pressure on the joint and reduce friction.
Anti-inflammatory drugs and icing may help to reduce pain and swelling initially for quicker recovery.
Bakers cyst
A Baker’s cyst, also called a popliteal cyst, is a fluid-filled swelling that develops at the back of the knee. It is caused when the tissue behind the knee joint is injured and becomes inflamed. The swelling and inflammation can cause pain in the knee and calf, a build-up of fluid around the knee and occasional locking or clicking in the knee joint.
A Baker’s cyst can sometimes burst (rupture), resulting in fluid leaking down into your calf. This can cause sharp pain, swelling and redness in your calf.
Our approach
The cyst will disappear when the condition causing it has been treated. We use joint mobilization, taping and exercises to reduce pain and strengthen the muscles to prevent recurrence. Anti-inflammatory drugs, icing and bandaging can be used to reduce the swelling and pain reduction.
Patellar tendinitis
Patellar tendonitis is an injury or inflammation of the tendon that connects your kneecap (patella) to your shinbone (tibia). Patellar tendonitis comes from repetitive stress on the knee, most often from overuse in sports or exercise. This creates tiny tears in the tendon that over time, inflame and weaken the tendon. Patellar tendinitis can be caused due to contributing factors like tight leg muscles, muscle strength imbalance, mal-alignment in the lower limb, chronic diseases that weaken the tendon.Pain and tenderness at the base of your kneecap are usually the first symptoms of patellar tendonitis. You may also have some swelling and a burning feeling in the kneecap. Sever pain may cause further weakening of the quadriceps muscle.
Our approach
We work on stretching and strengthening your leg and thigh muscles by using joint mobilization, soft tissue release, taping and appropriate exercises.
Icing and anti-inflammatory drugs may be needed to reduce the swelling initially and to hasten the healing process.
Shin splint
Shin splint is typically associated with running. Shin splint (medial tibial stress syndrome) is an inflammation of the muscles, tendons, and bone tissue around your tibia (shin bone). In general, shin splints develop when the muscle and bone tissue (periosteum) in the leg become overworked by loaded and repetitive activity.
Because shin splints are typically caused by overuse, conservative management includes several weeks of rest from the activity that caused the pain.
Our approach
In initial stages, soft tissue release, taping and muscle offloading exercises is used to reduce the stress on the tibial muscles.
We then help to set up a rehabilitation program to strengthen the muscles of the lower limb so that the loaded muscles are not overworked in the future and the load on the muscles and joints is evenly redistributed and balanced making you ready for when you return to full activities and sports.
