Table of Contents

What Are the Possible Causes of Knee Pain?

What’s Causing Your Knee Pain? 

Common Injuries Around Your Knee

How to Identify Symptoms of Knee Pain

Could my knee pain be arthritis?

What Symptoms Are You Experiencing?

What should you not do if your knee hurts? 

When to Visit a Healthcare Provider for Your Knee Pain

What Are the Diagnosis and Treatment Options for Knee Pain?

Common Knee Pain Treatments

How to Manage Knee Pain at Home?

Exercises to Keep Your Knee Healthy

What Are the Long-Term Care and Treatment Options for Knee Pain?

References

What's Causing Your Knee Pain?

Understanding the source of your knee pain is crucial for effective treatment. Common causes may include:

• Muscle imbalances - For example, we often see IT band tightness in our runners, leading to improper tracking of the kneecap during their morning runs.
• Poor biomechanics - A common scenario we treat for example in desk workers and students who spend long hours sitting with crossed legs, leading to uneven pressure distribution through their knees when walking.
• Previous injuries - Many of our local patients come to us with recurring knee issues stemming from old ankle injuries that weren't properly rehabilitated.
• Occupational factors - We regularly treat workers who spend long shifts kneeling or standing, often leading to increased pressure on their knees due to prolonged periods on hard surfaces.
• Lifestyle choices - Several of our Brunswick residents who commute daily by bike present with knee pain related to suddenly increasing their cycling distance without proper conditioning or bike setup.

Common Injuries Around Your Knee

The knee joint involves various structures that may be affected:

• Ligaments (ACL, MCL, PCL, LCL)
• Menisci
• Tendons
• Cartilage / Bone
• Fat pads
• Bursas
• Surrounding muscles

How to Identify Symptoms of Knee Pain

Common symptoms may include:

• Pain during movement
• Stiffness
• Swelling
• Clicking or popping sounds
• Difficulty bearing weight
  

Could my knee pain be arthritis?

While knee pain is a common concern that brings many patients through our doors, it's crucial to understand that not all knee discomfort indicates arthritis.

Different types of arthritis may affect the knee joint, each with its unique characteristics and management approaches, which is why self-diagnosis or relying on internet searches may lead to unnecessary worry or inappropriate self-treatment.

Professional assessment plays a vital role in understanding the true nature of your knee pain and developing an appropriate management plan. A thorough examination may help identify whether your symptoms stem from arthritis or other underlying factors such as muscle tension, joint dysfunction, or biomechanical issues.

Early intervention and professional guidance may help manage symptoms effectively, potentially slowing the progression of any underlying conditions and maintaining optimal joint function for longer. Understanding the specific cause of your knee pain is the first step toward creating an effective, personalised approach to care.

What Symptoms Are You Experiencing?

Understanding your knee pain symptoms is a crucial step in developing an appropriate management plan. You can create a clearer picture of your condition by tracking these key aspects:

When Your Knee Pain Occurs: Different conditions may present pain at different times of the day. For instance, some types of knee pain may be more noticeable first thing in the morning as you step out of bed, while others might develop after sitting through long meetings at work. 

What Activities Trigger It: Pay attention to activities that either trigger or worsen your knee pain. Such as walking up and down stairs or running on different surfaces.

How It Affects Your Daily Activities: Consider how your knee pain impacts your daily routine. Are you having difficulty doing household tasks or struggling to do a certain activities altogether. 

Associated Symptoms: Note any other symptoms that occur alongside your knee pain, such as: changes in your walking pattern or pain in other areas of your body like your hip or ankle.

What should you not do if your knee hurts?

When experiencing knee pain, it's crucial to avoid certain behaviours that could potentially worsen your condition. Ignoring persistent pain isn't advisable. Similarly, continuing activities that trigger knee pain, whether it's climbing stairs or sitting through long meetings, may lead to further complications. The temptation to 'push through' discomfort often results in more complex issues that take longer to resolve.

Moreover, while online health information is readily available, self-diagnosing without professional guidance may lead to inappropriate treatment choices. Knee pain can stem from various causes and what works for one person might not be suitable for another, which is why applying generic treatment methods without proper assessment may delay recovery.

Understanding your specific condition through professional assessment helps ensure appropriate and effective management strategies for your particular situation.

When to Visit a Healthcare Provider for Your Knee Pain

Understanding these warning signs can help you make informed decisions about your health, potentially preventing minor issues from developing into more complex conditions that may impact your daily activities and quality of life.

Seek professional help if you experience:

• Severe pain
• Significant swelling
• Inability to bear weight
• Limited range of motion
• Persistent symptoms
  

What Are the Diagnosis and Treatment Options for Knee Pain?

Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis of Knee Pain

When you visit Brunswick Chiropractic with knee pain, our practitioners follow a comprehensive assessment approach to understand your specific condition.

Proper diagnosis typically involves several key components that help us develop a personalised care plan:

Detailed History Taking

Physical examination (thorough hands-on assessment)

Assessment of Movement Patterns

Specific Orthopaedic Tests: 

• Check ligament stability
• Assess meniscus function
• Evaluate muscle strength
• Determine joint range of motion
• Rule out other potential conditions

Request imaging if necessary (X-rays, MRI, Ultrasound or CT scan)

Based on all of these findings, our practitioners develop a treatment plan that could include chiropractic care, osteopathy, remedial massage or myotherapy, depending on your specific needs. 

Common Knee Pain Treatments

At Brunswick Chiropractic, we offer a range of evidence-informed treatment approaches for knee pain. We may recommend a combination of the following approaches:

Manual Therapy: Our experienced practitioners utilise various hands-on techniques that may help with knee pain, including:

• Soft tissue therapy for muscle tension
• Gentle joint mobilisation to improve movement
• Myofascial release techniques
• Muscle energy techniques

Exercise Rehabilitation: A personalised exercise programme may be developed to:

• Strengthen supporting muscles
• Improve flexibility and joint mobility
• Enhance balance and coordination
• Address biomechanical issues
• Support long-term joint health

Activity Modification: We provide practical advice for adapting daily activities, such as:

• Workplace ergonomic adjustments for desk workers
• Modified exercise techniques for runners
• Alternative movement strategies for climbing stairs
• Temporary activity adjustments to support recovery
• Graduated return to regular activities

Supportive Measures: may include the use of ice or heat, bracing and footwear recommendations. See this blog on when it is best to use ice or heat here.

Professional Guidance: Our practitioners offer ongoing support through:

• Regular progress monitoring
• Treatment plan adjustments as needed
• Education about your condition
• Prevention strategies
• Lifestyle modification advice

How to Manage Knee Pain at Home?

Managing knee pain at home effectively involves a balanced approach between activity and rest, guided by professional recommendations.

Following prescribed exercises from your practitioner is crucial, as these are tailored to your specific condition and may help strengthen supporting muscles and improve joint mobility.

Proper rest, when needed, doesn't mean complete inactivity - rather, it means modifying your usual routine.

Activity modification plays a vital role in your recovery journey, which might include temporary changes to how you navigate public transport or adjusting your exercise routine to lower-impact activities.

Using recommended supports, such as appropriate footwear or prescribed devices, may provide additional stability during your daily activities.

However, it's important to note that these self-management strategies work best when implemented as part of a professionally guided treatment plan, ensuring they're appropriate for your specific condition and circumstances.

Exercises to Keep Your Knee Healthy

Regular exercise plays a vital role in maintaining knee health and function. Here's what a comprehensive approach might include:

• Strengthening Exercises: Building strength in the muscles that support your knee is crucial for joint stability. This may include things like quad and glute strengthening.
• Flexibility Work: Maintaining good flexibility helps ensure proper movement patterns, including the hips and pelvis. 
• Balance Training: Improving balance and proprioception may help with knee stability.
• Functional Movements: Exercises that mirror daily activities help maintain practical strength.

It's important to note that any exercise programme should be tailored to your specific needs and condition.

Our experienced practitioners at Brunswick Chiropractic can provide guidance on appropriate exercises and ensure proper technique for your particular situation.

What Are the Long-Term Care and Treatment Options for Knee Pain?

Long-term management may involve:

• Regular assessment
• Ongoing exercise program
• Lifestyle modifications
• Professional support when needed

Understanding knee pain and seeking appropriate care are crucial steps toward recovery. At Brunswick Chiro, our team of healthcare professionals is here to help assess, diagnose, and treat your knee pain using evidence-based approaches.

Remember, this information is general in nature and may not apply to your specific situation. For personalised advice about your knee pain, we encourage you to book an appointment with one of our experienced practitioners.