Hiking hills should be a challenge, not a pain
Knee pain can keep you from walking, running, or even just getting out of a chair. If you are slowing down at the things you love or are having difficulty with what used to be simple tasks, our physical therapists here at Blue Rock Therapy and Wellness can help! Whether your 15 year old daughter is having knee pain after starting basketball season or your own knees are starting to feel painful after your normal hike, your physical therapist will fully assess your knees to create a plan for your return to normal.
Studies indicate that approximately one third of Americans will experience knee pain at some point. Why? Because your knees take a lot of weight—your entire body weight, in fact, every time you move from one foot to the other! If you play sports, especially those that involve running and cutting, you increase the stress on your knee, as well as your risk for injury. Your knee joint is actually two 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 (knee cap) 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), to keep your knee stable and functioning without pain. To make matters more complicated, your knee is like a middle child, stuck between the hip and the ankle—so weak hips and weak ankles 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
When to seek a physical therapist:
- Walking is painful or causes your knees to swell
- Walking up or down stairs is getting more difficult or painful
- Hiking (especially hills) is uncomfortable
- Your knee(s) bother you with 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 more difficult
- Your knee feels wobbly or unstable
- You have stiff knees in the morning
- You are thinking about 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 Blue Rock Therapy and Wellness. Knee pain can slow you down—but we can help you get back up to speed. Schedule an appointment today!