Conditions We Treat – Knee

Knee Pain and Arthritis

What is Knee Pain and Arthritis?

Knee pain is usually caused by arthritis. It develops through the gradual degeneration of the knee joint, resulting in the exposure of the underlying bone. This may lead to bony spurs around the knee joint due to changes in the load distribution. 

What causes Knee Pain and Arthritis?

Causes of Knee Pain and Arthritis:

  • Age
  • Weight
  • Previous knee injury
  • Genetics
  • Activities that stresses the knee joint

What does Knee Pain and Arthritis feel like?

  • Symptoms of Knee Pain and Arthritis:

    • Pain in the knee during physical activity
    • Knee swelling
    • Knee stiffness
    • Grating or clicking
    • Warmth near the knee
    • Decreasing strength of limb muscles

How can Knee Pain and Arthritis be managed?

  • Treatments for Knee Pain and Arthritis:

    • Pain relieving modalities such as ice & mild heat
    • Rest
    • Manual therapy
    • Massage therapy
    • Taping
    • Physiotherapy
    • Osteopathy
    • Acupuncture

Patellar Tendonitis

What is Patellar Tendonitis?

Patellar Tendonitis, or Jumper’s Knee, is commonly caused by the overuse or injury of the patellar tendon. The patellar tendon works with the muscles at the front of your thigh to extend your knee so that you can kick, run and jump. Overstressing of the patellar tendon may damage the integrity and strength of the tendon. With age, patellar tendonitis is caused by the gradual degeneration of the joints, bones, and muscles. This injury is commonly observed in athletes who frequently jump, such as basketball players and volleyball players. 

What causes Patellar Tendonitis?

Causes of Patellar Tendonitis:

  • Overuse or constant strain on the tendon leading to gradual degradation 
  • Injury to the tendon 
  • Severe knee pain and difficulty in movement 

What does Patellar Tendonitis feel like?

Symptoms of Patellar Tendonitis:

  • Knee pain
  • Aggravated pain during landing, jumping, and prolonged sitting
  • Tenderness of the patella tendon
  • Stiffness of the patella tendon in the morning
  • Thickening and swelling of the affected side

How can Patellar Tendonitis be managed?

Treatments for Patellar Tendonitis:

  • Joint mobilization
  • Massage therapy and soft tissue release
  • ART & IASTM
  • TENS
  • Stretching
  • Patellar tendon strap
  • Physiotherapy
  • Osteopathy
  • Acupuncture
  • Chiropractic

ACL Injury/ACL Tear

What is an ACL Injury/ACL Tear?

ACL refers to Anterior Cruciate Ligament. This ligament connects your thigh bone (femur) to your shinbone (tibia) while also providing stabilisation for the knee joint. ACL tears or injuries may occur as a result of sports-related injuries, falls, or accidents. Physiotherapy and rehabilitation are first utilized for treatment however, if symptoms are not improving, surgery is often the next mode of action. 

What causes ACL Injury/ACL Tear?

  • Causes of ACL Injury/ACL Tear:

    • Sports Injuries
    • Accidents
    • Trauma to the ACL ligament

What does an ACL Injury/ACL tear feel like?

Symptoms of an ACL Injury/ACL tear:

  • A loud pop or a “popping” sensation in the knee.
  • Severe pain and inability to continue activity.
  • Rapid swelling.
  • Loss of range of motion.
  • A feeling of instability or “giving way” with weight bearing.
  • Prolonged dull pain after injury

How can an ACL injury be managed?

Treatment

  • Joint mobilisation
  • Physiotherapy
  • Osteopathy
  • Massage and soft tissue release
  • ART & IASTM
  • Pain reduction using ultrasound, laser, IFC & TENS
  • Stretching and strengthening for knee, hip and core muscles
  • Biomechanical correction of ankle and foot by orthotics if indicated
  • Patellar tendon strap, iontophoresis)
  • Surgery

PCL Injury/ PCL Tear

What is a PCL Injury/ PCL Tear?

The PCL (posterior cruciate ligament) is one of several ligaments that connects the femur (thighbone) and the tibia (shinbone). The PCL works to keep your knee stable and to prevent the tibia from moving too far back. This ligament can be injured or torn during severe hyperextension of the knee. Once injured through direct knee trauma or a sporting accident, stability of the knee is compromised immediately.

What does a PCL Injury/ PCL tear feel like?

  • Swelling and pain in the affected area that begins quickly and grows steadily after the ligament is injured
  • Stiffness of the knee due to swelling 
  • Limping
  • Difficulty walking
  • Inability to bear any weight on the knee
  • Feeling unstable when standing and moving

How can PCL Injuries/Tears be managed?

Treatment

  • Pain relieving medication along with physical therapy
  • Physiotherapy
  • Bracing
  • PCL surgery
  • Massage Therapy 
  • Osteopathy
  • Acupuncture

MCL Sprains

What are MCL Sprains?

    The Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) is one of the four ligaments that keeps the knee stable, and connects your lower leg with your thighbone. The injury is often caused by a tear or sprain to the ligament, usually by sudden twisting or bending motion towards a different direction. It is common among sports that involve jumping, sudden acceleration or deceleration movements, and weaving.

What does an MCL Sprain feel like?

  • Tenderness, pain, and swelling in the knee
  • Increase of pain some hours after the injury
  • Movement of the knee becomes limited and difficult
  • Bruises may be visible

How can MCL Sprains be managed?

Treatment 

  • Pain relieving medication accompanied by physical therapy
  • Physiotherapy
  • Bracing
  • PCL Surgery
  • Massage Therapy 
  • Osteopathy
  • Acupuncture

Knee Replacement Recovery

What is a Knee replacement?

A Knee replacement is a surgical procedure to replace the weight-bearing surfaces of the knee joint to relieve pain. In patients with severe deformity like rheumatoid arthritis, trauma, or long-standing osteoarthritis, the surgery is often more complex and has higher risks. Recovery after this procedure can be painful and difficult to navigate. With the help of our experienced team, we can provide you with a recovery plan that decreases pain and increases mobility as soon as possible. 

What does Recovery from a Knee replacement feel like?

  • Pain in and around the knee 
  • Lack of mobility of the knee
  • Inability to walk easily 
  • Inability to person activities of daily living

How can we help with recovery after a Knee replacement?

  •  Postoperative physiotherapy including the range of motion, strengthening, gait retraining
  • Osteopathy to decrease pain and facilitate with healing
  • Naturopathy botanicals and supplements 
  • Massage therapy to promote rest, relaxation, and tissue repair
  • Acupuncture to promote healing and decrease pain

Meniscal Injuries

What are Meniscal Injuries?

Meniscal Injuries are conditions that refer to the meniscus in the knee being torn. The meniscus is a rubbery disc that helps keep the knee steady by balancing the weight across it, doing this also protects the knee. It can be damaged due to sudden motions such as twists or turns, especially if the knee is planted firm and bent. They are also caused as a result of wear and tear by age or by putting extreme loads or stress on it. 

What do Meniscal Injuries feel like?

  • Severe symptoms include: 

    • The knee popping, locking or catching
    • Inability to straighten the knee
    • A wobbly feeling in the knee

    Moderate symptoms include: 

    • Pain in the centre or side of the knee
    • Swelling that worsens over 3 days
    • Stiff knees with restricted bending ability
    • Sharp pain when squatting or twisting

How can Meniscal Injuries be managed?

Treatment

  • Range of motion, strengthening and stretching exercises
  • Acupuncture & dry needling for pain management
  • Bracing to unload the joint
  • Return to sport programs
  • Pain relieving medications
  • Rest & icing
  • Massage Therapy 
  • Physiotherapy
  • Osteopathy

Baker’s Cyst

What is Baker’s Cyst?

A Baker’s cyst, also known as a Popliteal Cyst, is a condition where lumps or a lump of fluid forms behind the knee. It is caused when joint fluid from the knee is forced into tissue behind it, causing small sacs to form. It then bulges into a cyst. The cyst is often painless and can go away on its own. 

What does a Baker’s Cyst feel like?

  • Tightness of the knee
  • Swelling behind the knee that worsens when standing
  • Slight pain and stiffness behind the knee, especially when bending or straightening it
  • Occasionally, redness and swelling in the lower leg
  • Fatigue & restless leg at night

How can a Baker’s Cyst be managed?

Treatment

  • Physiotherapy (consisting of stretching, strengthening and pain management)
  • Acupuncture and dry needling
  • Pain relieving medications & rest
  • Naturopathy
  • Massage Therapy
  • Osteopathy

Patellofemoral Syndrome

What is Patellofemoral Syndrome?

Patellofemoral Syndrome, also referred to as “Runner’s Knee”, is pain at the front of the knee, usually around the patella/ kneecap. The syndrome occurs relatively frequently in manual labourers, athletes, and teenagers. 

What causes Patellofemoral Syndrome?

  • Cartilage in the kneecap is worn down, softened, or roughed up
  • Injury and overuse of the knee 
  • Kneecap misalignment 
  • Obesity 

What does Patellofemoral Syndrome feel like?

  • Knee pain, particularly when squatting, sitting with bent knees, jumping or walking down the stairs
  • Buckling of the knees 
  • Popping or catching of the knee when walking
  • The sensation of knee grinding when walking

How can Patellofemoral Syndrome be managed?

  • Treatment

    • Pain relieving modalities such as ice, heat and pain medication
    • Rest
    • Physiotherapy 
    • Massage Therapy
    • Osteopathy
    • Acupuncture

Osgood Schlatter’s Disease

What is Osgood Schlatter’s Disease?

Osgood Schlatter is the inflammation of the area just below the knee where the tendon from the kneecap (patellar tendon) attaches to the shinbone (tibia). Osgood Schlatters disease primarily affects children particularly boys who are between 10 to 15 years old, and it results in knee pain.

This disease is most often prevalent during growth spurts when bones, muscles, tendons, and other structures are changing rapidly. Because physical activity puts additional stress on bones and muscles, children who participate in athletics — especially running and jumping sports — are at an increased risk for this condition.

What does Osgood Schlatter’s Disease feel like?

  • Symptoms

    • Pain, swelling and/or inflammation at the tibial tuberosity (the bony bit at the top of the shin)
    • Tenderness and pain that worsens during exercise, especially squats
    • A spot on the shin bone that is painful to touch

How can Osgood Schlatter’s Disease be managed?

Treatment

  • Physiotherapy
  • Pain relieving modalities such as ice & mild heat
  • Rest
  • Osteopathy and Manual therapy
  • Massage therapy
  • Taping