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Knee pain is a common complaint affecting patients of all ages. Knee pain can be caused by structural problems, such as sprained ligaments and meniscus. However it can also be caused by medical conditions such as arthritis, gout and infections. Most cases of knee pain can be improved by physical therapy, however in rare cases may require orthopaedic procedures. Symptoms: The severity and location of knee pain can vary, however you should consult one of our specialists if you suffer from any of the following:
Types of Knee Pain:
Risk Factors A number of factors can increase your risk of having knee problems. Excess weight increases stress on the knee joints during every day activities and can increase knee pain. Lack of muscle flexibility and strength can increase the risk of injuries, as the same areas of the knee will have to absorb load during tasks. Certain sports such as basketball, skiing and soccer place increased demand on the knee joint and are a factor in causing knee pain. Prevention and Treatment It is impossible to completely prevent knee pain, however a few strategies can prevent recurrent knee injuries.
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One of the most common questions we receive in our office for injuries: 'Do I use heat or ice?'. We treat everything from arthritis to muscle muscles with ice and heat, but what do they actually do? As a general rule of thumb you use heat therapy for muscle pain and stiffness, and you use ice therapy for acute injuries and pain. However, it is sometimes more complicated which you type of therapy you use. Heat Therapy works by improving the blood flow and circulation to an area and increasing its temperature. Increasing temperature has the effect of increasing muscle flexibility and relaxing tight muscles. We usually recommend 10-15 minutes for heat therapy to be applied. In cases where the client has diabetes, skin conditions or vascular conditions we do not recommend heat therapy. Cryotherapy or 'Cold Therapy' works by decreasing blood flow to an area which can act to reduce inflammation and swelling which causes pain. We recommend applying no more than 15 minutes at a time for cryotherapy, as longer can sometimes cause skin irritation. We cannot emphasize enough, although cold therapy can help with pain for acute injuries, in many cases simply getting the area moving is the most effective way of recovering from an injury.  |
Milner Chiropractic and Sports Injury Clinic
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