Knee Osteoarthritis:
This condition occurs when the cartilage on the end of each bone in the knee wears away. As the cartilage deteriorates, the bones rub together causing pain and inflammation. Eventually, this can also limit how much the knee can move. The pain and stiffness are usually worse in the mornings and after prolonged standing or walking.
Meniscal Tears:
There are two menisci between your shin (tibia) and thigh bone (femur). These two menisci act like shock absorbers in the knee. They help spread the forces that are transmitted across the joint. In younger people, the meniscus is fairly tough and rubbery. Tears usually occur as a result of a forceful twisting injury. The menisci weaken with age, and many people can suffer from a tear as a result of normal activity such as the up-and-down motion of squatting. The pain is localized to either side of the knee depending on which meniscus is torn. You may hear clicking/popping and your knee may lock.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Tear:
The ACL is one of the four major ligaments in your knee. The function of the ACL is to provide stability to the knee and minimize stress across the knee joint. It restrains excessive forward movement of the lower leg bone (the tibia) in relation to the thigh bone (the femur) and limits rotational movements of the knee. Physical Therapy can sometimes help avoid surgery, however surgical intervention is often required.
Patellar Tendonitis:
Patellar Tendonitis is an overuse injury that affects the tendon connecting your knee cap (patella) to your shinbone (tibia). The patellar tendon helps your muscles extend your lower leg so you can kick a ball, climb stairs, run, push the pedals on your bike, and jump up in the air. Patellar tendonitis occurs when you place repeated stress on your patellar tendon. It can occur when you suddenly increase the intensity or frequency of your workouts. Stress causes tiny tears in the tendon, which your body attempts to repair. But as tears in the tendon become more numerous, your body can’t keep up, causing inflammation in your tendon to worsen.
Osgood Schlatter’s Disease (OSD):
This condition is an inflammation of the bone, cartilage and/or tendon at the top of the shinbone (tibia), where the tendon from the kneecap (patella) attaches. OSD usually strikes active adolescents around the beginning of their growth spurts.
Physical Therapy Modalities for Pain and Swelling:
Physical Therapists can help patients avoid the need for surgery by helping the patient regain freedom of motion and freedom from pain.
Passive Range of Motion:
The therapist will gently begin passive range of motion exercises if an active range of motion is not tolerated or, if post-op, active ROM is not yet permitted. The patient will be brought through tolerable and permitted ranges to improve their knee mobility.
Progressive Resistive Exercises:
Strengthening exercises begin when a patient is able to tolerate resistance and can begin the strengthening portion of the rehabilitation. Patients are guided through an exercise program prescribed by the therapist and are progressed by the therapist when it is tolerated by the patient, or permitted by the physician.
Functional Integration:
Exercises are based on the functional needs of the patient for work or sport, as well as everyday tasks that need to be performed by the patient. As the patient progresses, more function is added to the protocol to increase the patient’s ability to function in work, sport, and all other activities of daily living.
Contact Reddy Care Physical & Occupational Therapy to get your therapy started today!
Reddy Care Physical & Occupational Therapy Great Neck: 516-829-0030
Reddy Care Physical & Occupational Therapy Farmingdale: 516-420-2900
In-Home Physical & Occupational Therapy: 516-829-0030
