Knee Pain

Knee pain is a common complaint treated here at Owen Feeney Athletic Therapy. Like other musculoskeletal issues, there are many possible causes. A simple muscle strain, ligament sprain or even a tendon issue may be the cause of your knee pain. 

The symptoms of knee pain can come on suddenly due to an acute injury or may gradually get worse over time. A sharp pain in or around the knee, stiffness, clicking, locking or giving way are all examples of symptoms associated with knee pain. The knee joint itself comprises many different structures including ligaments, muscles, cartilage, bones, nerves and blood vessels. Thus, knee pain can be caused by damage to any of these structures. As is the case in other parts of the body, degenerative changes can occur, causing knee pain. Osteoarthritis and cartilage breakdown are some examples of these degenerative changes.  

Here at Owen Feeney Athletic Therapy, we have had many successes treating patients suffering from various injuries to knee pain. The first step of this process is to take a thorough history to determine the root cause and exact location of the pain. It is key also to determine the mechanism of injury for each patient and their own aggravating and easing factors. Following on from this, patients will go through a physical examination. This would typically include an assessment of movement, pain and tenderness of the joints in the surrounding area. If nerve root compression is indicated, a neurological assessment will be performed. 

When the relevant information is gathered from patients, the second step on the journey can begin. This step will often include the prescription of movements and exercises, as well as hands-on therapy if necessary. These exercises and treatments are tailored to each individual based on their own requirements, there is no one shoe fits all approach to sorting out your knee pain!

Sources: Yusuf, E., Kortekaas, M.C., Watt, I., Huizinga, T.W. and Kloppenburg, M., 2011. Do knee abnormalities visualised on MRI explain knee pain in knee osteoarthritis? A systematic review. Annals of the rheumatic diseases, 70(1), pp.60-67.

Collins, N.J., Bisset, L.M., Crossley, K.M. and Vicenzino, B., 2012. Efficacy of nonsurgical interventions for anterior knee pain. Sports medicine, 42(1), pp.31-49.