Sports Therapy and Knee Pain
Diagnosis and treatment of the No. 1 knee problem:
30/08/2023 Sami Ikhlaq Bsc
(Approx 1-2 minute read)
Goes by many names…
Generalised pain in the front of the knee when bending or loading it has many names that all mean the same thing:
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS)
Runner’s knee
Generalised knee pain
Mechanical knee pain
*This isn’t the only issue that can present at the front of the knee but it is the most common.
What is Runner’s Knee?
Runner’s knee is generalized pain around the front of the knee. This pain is usually aggravated by activities such as running, going up or down stairs, and compound movements like squats. The condition may also be referred to as Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS). This is because the kneecap (patella) does not glide as smoothly against the thigh bone (femur) as it should do.
There are a variety of factors that can increase the risk of developing PFPS. Commonly, these can include muscular imbalances, overuse, ankle or hip issues, and trauma. Any of these factors can put excessive strain on the structures supporting the joint.
As the name suggests, this condition is often seen in runners and those in other similar activities, nonetheless it can affect anyone which is why it is a common condition seen within clinics.
What will a Sports Therapist do?
A Sports Therapist will go through your history and current pain, assess to confirm diagnosis, and then treat the knee with a combination of hands-on treatment and specific home exercises. This reduces pain, improves recovery time and reduces the risk of future injury.
Stage 1:
Your Sports Therapist will first identify the lifestyle or trauma factors involved in the development of your condition. Once the main factors have been identified, the Sports Therapist will provide treatments with the aim of reducing symptoms, promoting healing and improving range of motion at the joint.
The most common techniques we use are:
Sports massage
IASTM (tool assisted soft tissue release)
Cupping therapy (to decompress soft tissue)
Stretches
Low load knee strengthening exercises
Stage 2:
After the initial pain eases, we are ready to start increasing the load on the knee to help future-proof it. Now the rehabilitation program will consist of
Increased load on the knee
Recovery exercises suited to your lifestyle
Redeveloping power, endurance and control of the knee
Stage 2 is essential to return you back to your pain free or preinjury levels, and allow you to get back into your daily activities and sports.
How many sessions will I need?
The majority of our patients see positive changes within 4-6 sessions. Complex cases will require several months to return to 100%. Your Sports Therapist will help to reduce the recovery time, helping you get back into your activities sooner compared with no intervention. They will also educate you and provide guidance on controlling the factors which will help you reduce the risk of flare ups.
Runner’s knee can be treated successfully through conservative management and targeted treatments. As the factors involved can differ between individuals, it is important for treatments to be specific and tailored. Recovery length will depend on the severity of the injury and effectiveness of the rehabilitation program. In some cases it may be necessary to perform a scan of the knee to rule out other conditions that may be present.
The effectiveness of the rehabilitation program depends on many factors, and clients who undertake frequent sessions within the early stages can expect better results than those who space out sessions early on.
To book your consultation click here.
Our clinic is based in central South Woodham Ferrers and is easily accessible from Maldon, Chelmsford, Wickford, Danbury, Rayleigh, Wickford, Latchingdon and Southminster.
