Say Goodbye To Knee Pain With Physical Therapy
Have you noticed going up and down stairs seems more and more difficult? Do you search for a parking spot close to the store entrance out of concern for your knees? Our holistic-minded physical therapists can help if you’re seeking knee pain relief. We provide comprehensive knee care prioritizing the whole person.
No matter how tempting it may be to limit your everyday activities to avoid knee pain, it won’t likely help your knees and may worsen them. Our patient-centered approach emphasizes the most effective techniques and preventative measures to achieve long-term wellness.
At IPA Manhattan Physical Therapy, we strive to get to the root cause of your knee pain and provide a personalized treatment plan tailored to your unique needs. Our physical therapists can help you find knee pain relief and get back to doing what you love.
Our whole-body approach does not rely on dangerous drugs or invasive surgery. We can help you restore your mobility and strength and give you the tools to get you back to the activities you love.
Why does my knee hurt?
At IPA Manhattan Physical Therapy, we know that the knee joint relies on the joints above (hip) and below (ankle/foot) to function properly. Knee pain can be a sign of a problem elsewhere in the body. This is why we take a holistic approach to your care by comprehensively assessing your whole-body function.
Your knee is called a hinge joint that bends and straightens, but these motions are the product of the complex coordination and timing of muscles, nerves, and bones. Limitations, weaknesses, or restrictions in tissues can affect the function and ability of the knee.
If you have knee pain, you will not be able to move as freely as you would like. Although it might seem counterintuitive, there are times when knee pain is the symptom, not the source of your problem. The knee can alert you to a problem in the foot or hip region. There are, of course, times when the knee pain you feel is due to an actual issue/injury in the knee itself.
Fortunately, at IPA Manhattan Physical Therapy our physical therapists are experts at getting to the root of your knee pain. We’ll identify all the factors associated with your condition and address any underlying issues. Our goal is to help you achieve long-term knee pain relief.
Knee pain can be caused by a variety of factors, the most common include:
Arthritis: The most common type of arthritis for knee pain is osteoarthritis (OA). This condition occurs when the cartilage surrounding your joints deteriorates, and the joint no longer has a sufficient cushion between the bone. This leads to joint inflammation, with varying pain levels, stiffness, and reduced mobility.
Cartilage Injuries: There are two common cartilage injuries.
Meniscus injury
The meniscus serves as a shock absorber and helps maintain stability in the knee. A meniscus tear can be caused by contact or non-contact activity when the knee twists suddenly while bearing weight on it. Some tears are the result of wear and tear.
Articular cartilage injury
The articular cartilage is a smooth covering on the bones that allows for frictionless sliding of one bone on another. Articular cartilage is injured by direct trauma or wear and tear.
If you twist your knee quickly while bearing weight or sustain other trauma, the cartilage may be injured. It is also possible for prolonged inactivity or repetitive movements to cause fraying and eventually tearing of the cartilage.
Ligament Injuries: Our bones are connected by ligaments. The ligaments in your knee act like leather straps to hold the bones together and keep your knee stable. Ligament injuries are often caused by sudden stops and twists or direct blows to the knee.
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)
It is located in the center of the knee and controls the rotation and forward movement of the shin bone.
Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)
It is located in the back of the knee and controls the backward movement of the shin bone.
Medial collateral ligament (MCL)
The medial collateral ligament is on the inside of your knee and provides stability to sideway motions.
Lateral collateral ligament (LCL)
The lateral collateral ligament is on the outside of your knee and provides stability to sideways motions.
Read Reviews from Clients Who Found Relief from Knee Pain
– G. Wulfert-Markert
I first came to IPA in 2012 for chronic knee and foot pain. I had seen several physical therapists in Manhattan and Connecticut with very little success. From my first appointment with Dean I had immediate improvement and was instantly impressed by his skill, knowledge, and the close attention that I received. Many underlying issues were identified and addressed within…
– Rosalind M.
Understanding Common Causes of Overuse-Type Knee Pain
Tendinitis: Your tendons are thick connective tissues that attach muscles to bones. Tendinitis occurs when the tendon becomes inflamed due to repetitive movements. It is common in jumping and landing motions and sports like skiing, cycling, or hurdling.
The patellar tendon connects the patella (kneecap) to the shinbone, allowing you to kick, run, and jump. Patellar tendinitis is common in runners, skiers, cyclists, and those engaging in jumping sports.
Knee tendinitis can make walking, rising from a chair, climbing stairs, or playing sports hard. Our physical therapists are trained to diagnose and treat knee pain and help ease your pain and get you back to doing what you love.
Knee bursitis
Bursae are closed, fluid-filled sacs that cushion and help create a smooth, gliding surface to reduce friction between body tissues. These sacs of fluid protect tendons from the bone.
An injury, overuse, or repeated pressure on the knee can cause inflammation in the bursae (aka Bursitis), which prevents tendons from smoothly gliding over the joint and can be painful or even debilitating.
Iliotibial (IT) Band Syndrome
Pain and inflammation in the IT band, a thick band of tissue that runs from the hip to the knee, often caused by overuse or repetitive activities like running.
Patellar Dislocation
A condition in which the kneecap slides out of place, often caused by a sudden change in direction or twisting of the knee.
A thorough evaluation by our holistic physical therapists at IPA Manhattan Physical Therapy is the best way to determine the actual cause of your knee pain. We’ll help you find solutions that work.
How to prepare for knee surgery
We understand the importance of comprehensive care. We are proud to offer a holistic approach to preoperative therapy. Our patient-centered team will help you mentally and physically prepare for any upcoming surgical procedure. In some cases, pre-hab can even eliminate the need for surgery altogether.
Our skilled physical therapists will begin by thoroughly assessing your knee and the surrounding joints to identify all the factors influencing your pain and limitations. We will work with you to design a well-rounded exercise program tailored to your needs.
Understanding Common Knee Surgeries
For some people, their issues require surgery; fortunately, our therapists have extensive experience rehabilitating people after surgery. The most common surgeries we treat include the following:
- Knee Arthroscopy: A minimally invasive surgical procedure to diagnose and treat problems in the knee joint, such as a torn meniscus, loose cartilage, or damaged ligaments.
- Meniscal Repair: A surgical procedure to repair a torn meniscus, often using sutures or anchors to reattach the torn pieces.
- ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) Reconstruction: A surgical procedure to replace a torn ACL with a new tissue graft from the patient’s body or a donor.
- Total Knee Replacement: This surgical procedure replaces damaged or worn knee joint surfaces with artificial parts made of metal and plastic.
- Partial Knee Replacement: A surgical procedure to replace only the damaged part of the knee joint with an artificial component, often used to treat osteoarthritis.
Post-surgical rehabilitation is just as crucial as pre-hab exercises. Our team will design an exercise program tailored to the individual. Treatment progression will vary depending on the stages of healing from any surgical procedure. We’ll focus on alleviating pain, eliminating swelling, improving range of motion, and restoring strength and coordination to pre-injury levels and beyond.
If you’re looking for a patient-centered approach to knee health, our pre-hab and post-op programs will ensure the best possible outcomes.
Physical therapy for knee pain relief
At IPA Manhattan Physical Therapy, our team of holistic physical therapists offers well-rounded, patient-centered treatments. We’ll start with a comprehensive knee evaluation to determine the extent of the injury or the possibility of surgery. Our evaluation includes a thorough medical history and hands-on physical assessment.
We emphasize improving tissue mobility and function through our preventative and restorative techniques. Our approach ensures we focus on the whole person, not just the injured area. Our goal is to alleviate pain, promote healing, and help you reach optimal function.
Trust us to provide a personalized treatment plan to address your needs and help you achieve your goals. Our team will work with you to design an individualized care plan to address your specific needs. Our preventative methods will help you avoid future injury, reduce pain, and improve your overall well-being.
Let our experienced team of physical therapists assist you in your journey to a pain-free life. Whether you need help recovering from an injury or are preparing for surgery, we are here to help you find knee pain relief.
Your Next Steps…
Request An Appointment
Receive A Custom Treatment Plan
Work Hard and Progress In Your Recovery
Recover & Enjoy Life Pain-Free!