How does my knee work?

Knee pain is one of the most common diagnoses that we see in Physical Therapy. Direct trauma, sprains, strains, and tendonitis will all cause knee pain. To effectively treat or prevent knee pain it is important to understand how the knee actually works and who its friends are. The knee is a joint that moves in three dimensions or directions. On first glance the knee looks like a hinge that just bends forward and backward. Upon further examination we see that the knee also has the ability to move side to side and demonstrates some rotational or twisting motions. This makes the knee a 3D joint.

Why does my knee hurt?

3D Functional Rehabilitation focuses on more than just the knee. The knee is a joint that follows orders. Those orders come from the hip and the foot. The knee is just stuck in the middle and does what its friends tell it to do. The hip controls the motion of the thigh bone (femur) and the foot controls the motion of the shin bone (tibia). When dysfunction occurs in either area the result can be knee pain. This pain can occur because of irritation, inflammation, or small tears on the bone surfaces, cartilage, tendons, and muscle. A comprehensive 3D Rehabilitation program will focus on restoring flexibility, strength, and stability in the hip, knee, and foot.

How do I prevent knee pain?

There is no magical combination of exercises that will guarantee a pain free knee. There are some basic principles to follow. Maintaining flexibility, strength, and stability in all three dimensions or directions of the hip, knee, and foot will decrease the likelihood of knee pain. Qualified professionals trained in 3D Functional Rehabilitation and Fitness can evaluate and prescribe exercises to address these areas.

What do I do if my knee hurts?

If you start to experience knee pain the best intervention is the RICE method. The analogy stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. Rest allows the injury to begin to heal and decreases irritation to the injured joint. Ice is a natural anti-inflammatory and will assist to decrease swelling. Compression and elevation will both decrease swelling. If you have had knee pain for a longer period of time it is best to have it evaluated by a physician. They may prescribe medications, recommend that you be evaluated by a Physical Therapist, or perform surgery if it is indicated.

  -Brandon Biggs PTA, FAFS