Knee Pain

Is your knee pain restricting you from participating in sports or affecting your ability to do daily activities like getting up from a chair or walking? Have you tried all means of treating your knee pain, but have not been able to get any relief? Have you tried Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT), the all-natural alternative to pain relief?

Studies have shown:

• OMT increases stability, resolves periodic new dysfunctions and can help following ACL reconstruction.
• Management of osteoarthritic pain, the most common type of arthritis seen in primary care practices, can involve osteopathic manipulative treatment.

The knee is a complex joint. An injury or disease of the joint or structures surrounding the knee can result in knee pain. Sometimes knee pain can be the result of dysfunctions in the hip or ankle. The severity and location of the pain may depend on the causative factor, so it is important to have a thorough evaluation. It is a common condition affecting individuals of different age groups.

Causes
Some of the common causes for knee pain include:

• Arthritis: a condition associated with degeneration or inflammation of the joint
• Knee ligament injuries: common during sports injuries or falls
• Torn meniscus: also common during sports injuries or falls
• Patellar tendonitis: inflammation of the patellar tendon which connects the kneecap to the shin bone
• Chondromalacia patellae: softening of the articular cartilage on the under surface of the kneecap causing knee pain
• Dislocated kneecap
• Baker’s cyst: a fluid-filled swelling in the back of the knee
• Knee bursitis: inflammation of the bursae, small fluid-filled sacs located around the joints, usually between a tendon and the bone.
• Plica syndrome: results from inflammation of the synovial tissue of the knee causing knee pain and swelling.
• Osgood-Schlatter disease: caused by irritation of the growth plate at the front of the knee joint and is more common in adolescents
• Osteochondritis dissecans: characterized by detachment of a cartilage fragment and a thin layer of the bone from the end of a bone due to inadequate blood supply; these fragments may either stay in place or slide around the joint causing pain and joint instability
• Gout: characterized by sudden, severe attacks of joint pain, with swelling and redness around the joint, caused by accumulation of uric acid crystals in the joints

Symptoms
Patients may experience a dull aching pain around the sides, below or behind the knee cap. The pain may also be present at night and be exaggerated by any repetitive knee bending activity such as jumping, squatting, running or weight lifting. Knee pain may be accompanied by stiffness, swelling, instability, weakness or popping sounds.

Diagnosis
A detailed medical history and physical examination of the knee are crucial for diagnosing the cause of knee pain. Diagnostic imaging studies, such as X-rays, MRI scans and ultrasound, may also be ordered. Blood tests may be performed to identify infection, gout or pseudo gout. Sometimes arthrocentesis may also be performed, wherein fluid from the knee joint is removed and analyzed.

Treatment
Treatment options depend upon the underlying cause responsible for knee pain. Some of the common treatment options for knee pain include:

• Rest, alternating ice and heat application
• Osteopathic manipulative treatment, for which there are several techniques. OMT can also be helpful in avoiding surgery. If surgery is required, OMT may accelerate the recovery process and increase stability.
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications
• Stretching and physical therapy to keep joints flexible and improve muscle strength as well as rehab after surgery
• Homeopathic injections, administered directly into the affected joint to relieve pain and reduce inflammation
• Surgery

For a list of articles supporting OMT, please click here.

Sports & Joint Mobility

• Ankle Pain
• Knee Pain
• Shoulder Pain
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Stress Fractures
• Achilles Tendinitis
• Neck Pain
• Post-Operative Recovery
• Concussions