Chronic knee pain is often chalked up to arthritis of the knee or something that can “only be managed with painkillers, surgery or by limiting your usual activities.” Meanwhile, it can be disabilitating and painful, and ultimately discouraging.
What are some common types of knee injuries that can be ?
Bursitis – The knee joint is surrounded by three major closed fluid-filled sacs that function as a gliding surface to reduce friction between tissues of the body. These sacs can become inflamed from direct trauma to the front of the knee, and can lead to swelling, tenderness and other discomforts. This condition is different from knee joint inflammation (arthritis) in that is painful when kneeling and can cause stiffness/pain with walking – but that the full range of motion of the knee is usually maintained. You would feel pain at the front (anterior) of your knee.
Patella (kneecap) fracture – The patella is the small bone located in front of your knee joint — where the thighbone (femur) and shinbone (tibia) meet. It protects your knee and connects the muscles in the front of your thigh to your tibia. While chiropractic cannot heal fractures, it is an excellent source of rehabilitation for the healed patella. You would feel pain at the front (anterior) of your knee.
Patello tendonitis ( ‘Jumper’s Knee’) – The inflammation of the patellar tendon from excessive jumping.
Patellofemoral disorder – The inflammation of a tendon in the knee caused by weakening cartilage. This places additional stress on the patella which results in the knee no longer gliding smoothly when moved. The result of this is pain in the front of the knee that is worse when climbing stairs or prolonged sitting. In many cases, the patella appears to “pop” or shift suddenly when the leg is extended.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Tear – One of four major knee ligaments reponsible for the knee’s stability. Symptoms include a “pop” feeling in the knee, the knee “giving out” and swelling and pain. An ACL tear often leads to surgery.
Thankfully, a number of different therapies has proven to be highly effective in targeting knee injuries and knee pain, as well as post-surgery rehabilitation. These therapies include:
- Chiropractic Care (including laser, muscle stimulation, and ultrasound therapy)
- Graston Technique
- Active Release Thechniques
- Deep Tissue Massage