Hiking hills should be a challenge, not a pain
Knee pain can prevent you from walking, running, or even getting out of a chair. If you are slowing down at what you love to do or simply having difficulty with simple tasks, the Ridgeview Physical Therapy & Wellness Center is here to help! Whether your 11-year-old daughter is having knee pain after starting ballet, basketball, or soccer or your knees are painful after a normal hike, your physical therapist will fully assess your knees to create a plan to get you back to your normal activities.
Studies indicate that approximately 1/3 of Americans experience knee pain at some point in their lives. Why? Because your knees carry a lot of weight—your entire body weight, in fact, every time you walk. If you play sports, especially those that include running & cutting, you increase the stress on your knee, especially your risk for injury. Your knee joint is actually 2 joints: the tibiofemoral joint, made up of your femur (thigh bone) and your tibia (shin bone), and the patellofemoral joint, made up of your patella (kneecap) and the femur. These two joints are surrounded by the quadriceps, hamstrings, and calf muscles, as well as a variety of ligaments, including the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). All of them must work together to keep your knee stable and functioning without pain. However, to your knee is like a middle child, stuck between the hip and the ankle—so a weak hip or ankle may be compromising your knee! Here are some common conditions that can affect the knee:
Commonly Treated Knee Conditions:
- Patellofemoral pain syndrome
- Osteoarthritis
- Patellar tendinopathy
- Medial collateral ligament (MCL) or lateral collateral (LCL) ligament strain
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear or strain
- Meniscus tear
- Quadricep or hamstring strain
- Baker’s cyst
- Osgood-Schlatter Disease
When to seek a physical therapist:
- Walking is painful or causes your knees to swell
- Walking up or downstairs is getting more difficult or painful
- Hiking (especially hills) is uncomfortable
- Your knee(s) bother you when sitting for long periods of time
- Your knees lock, pop, or click
- Getting off the couch or out of a chair causes pain or is difficult
- Your knee feels wobbly or unstable
- You have stiff knees in the morning
- You are considering having a total knee replacement
If you are experiencing any of these conditions or symptoms or you would like to assess your risk for injury, come see us at Ridgeview Physical Therapy & Wellness Center Knee pain can slow you down, but we can help you get back up to speed. Schedule an appointment today!
