Knee pain and Osteopathy
The largest joint in the body is the knee, which unfortunately means it is also one of the most commonly injured as it is major weight-bearing.
Bones, cartilage, ligaments and tendons make up the knee joint. It lies between the thighbone, known as the femur and the shinbone, known as the tibia. At the front is the kneecap or patella. Articular cartilage covers the back of the kneecap and the ends of the thighbone and shinbone so that it slides easily over the bones so that the leg can straighten or bend.
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Symptoms from knee pain may include: pain, stiffness, aching, locking, swelling, limping, difficulty straightening or bending, weakness, instability, or noises like popping, clicking and crunching.
Minor Injuries: muscular strain
Moderate Injuries: soft tissue damage such as meniscus irritation, ligament strain or pulled tendons
Severe Injuries: fractures, meniscus tears, ligament tears, tendon separation
What can go wrong with the knee?
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Osteoarthritis
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Meniscal tears
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Tendonitis
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Ligament sprain
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Bursitis
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Chondromalacia Patella
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Ilio-Tibial Band Syndrome
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Osteochondrosis
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Osgood Schlatter
Wear and tear under the kneecap- such as going upstairs or doing deep knee bends.
Abnormal changes in the direction of up and down slide of the kneecap- commonly due to an imbalance in the muscles controlling this movement
A tear or trapping of the meniscus- typically after a bending and twisting movement through the knee. This often produces symptoms of locking, giving-way and/or swelling.
Ligament damage- most often via a sideways stress on the knee, usually resulting in feeling of instability. Foot problems- a bad back or hip can change how we use and stress the knee. Prolonged kneeling at work or on hard surfaces.
Osteopathy
My job as an Osteopath will be to review your symptoms and medical history and do thorough physical examination of your body. Manual manipulation to stretch muscles, enhance joint mobility, reduce inflammation, promote healing and rebalance the fundamentals of your body will be used.
You may also be provided with some stretches and exercises to be used at home.
After a first assessment I will also be able to determine how many treatment you will need to be helped and you will be provided with a diagnosis of what is causing you this pain.
What to do next to get treatment for knee pain
If you think you are suffering from any of the above conditions or anything else, please contact me in clinic at this link for advice and to book an appointment.