Know your knees

At Excel, one of the most common injuries we see are injuries to the knees.

So why is knee pain so common? Well, there are a number of reasons for this. We often tend to injure them during sporting activities. Twisting, turning, ducking, diving and suddenly stopping places immediate stress and strain on the knees. It can often be the unpredictable nature of sport that causes an unforeseen knee injury to occur.

Some sports pose a particular risk, more than others. Rugby, AFL and soccer are often the key culprits. With sudden stopping, rotating and tackling a key feature, there can be a high incidence of Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) sprain and meniscal tears – all requiring physiotherapy treatment, and possible referral to a specialist. 

Netball also moves front and centre stage as a potential candidate, as suddenly stopping on a hard surface can have implications for wear and tear at the back of the kneecap or patella. Running, especially uphill and in the cooler months of the year, can result in muscular strains and sprains also.

In addition, we have the postural concerns of the modern age – where most of us sit far too long in our jobs and home lives than nature intended us to do! Due to this regular routine, the muscles of the hip and thigh get out of balance, often subtly pulling the kneecap out of alignment – a painful condition known as Patella Femoral knee pain (PFPS). This is also sometimes known as movie-goers knee: where the sufferer will find the aisle seat to stretch the leg out comfortably.

There are a range of arthritic conditions, not isolated to, but usually affecting those in the older age group. This may be caused by historical injuries that haven’t been previously addressed, weight gain, poor lifting and bending habits that we have accumulated over a lifetime. 

So what can we do about it? Well, the first step is always to conduct a thorough and detailed assessment of the condition. Physiotherapists are the right people for the job and our Physio’s at Excel are very experienced in movement science, joint and muscle testing and forming provisional diagnoses. They will then discuss this with you, your GP and specialist if necessary. 

What are the key treatments and exercise for knee problems? There is no one size fits all approach. Manual therapy with soft tissue massage and muscle release, mobilisation of the knee cap and knee joint and dry needling are very effective for restoring range of motion, as well as decreasing pain and discomfort. In all cases, a combination of strengthening, stretching and stabilising exercises is essential. Exercises often encompass a focus on strengthening the hip and foot, as well as retraining balance and movement patterns. 

Our experienced Physiotherapist’s are here to help you with your knees, book an appointment today – 1300650510