Knee Pain

Are you suffering from knee pain? Is it painful to walk, do stairs or run? Have you been injured in an accident or did you slip and fall? Ski injury, hockey, football, or soccer? Knee pain is one of the most common injuries seen in our office!

Common symptoms of knee pain

• Pain at the front of the knee or across the knee cap (patella), the sides of the knee, or back of the knee
• Dull ache or sharp pain deep into the joint
• The feeling of instability; or that your knee is about to give way
• Knee locking or not being able to achieve full movement in your knee

What’s causing my knee pain?

There are many structures in the knee that can cause pain.

For example:

• The meniscus (the shock absorber of the knee)
• Supporting ligaments of the knee (ACL, PCL, Collateral ligaments)
• Capsule around the knee
• Bursa at the back, side or front of the knee
• Muscles supporting the knee
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No traumatic incident? The same structures can be injured with wear and tear over time. This wear and tear is often diagnosed as osteoarthritis. In addition, sometimes systemic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout, psoriatic conditions, or septic conditions can also cause excessive wear and tear into the knee. 

Physiotherapy is usually the first step to improving your pain. 

Regardless of the cause of your knee pain – from sports injuries to simple genetics – at PhysioNow we can help you get back on your feet.

When do I need to see a doctor?

After your initial Physiotherapy assessment, your Physiotherapist can tell you if you’ll need to see your doctor or get additional imaging done. Often, Physiotherapy treatment can commence before seeing your doctor. 

How is knee pain diagnosed?

Your Physiotherapist will start by taking a detailed history of your pain. Afterwards, we will do a physical assessment to pinpoint the main cause or causes of your pain. Lastly, the assessment will include special tests that can distinguish between different injuries. 

Do I need knee replacement surgery?

This can be determined after a 2-3 month trial of Physiotherapy. Most orthopaedic surgeons will recommend a period of Physiotherapy first to either avoid surgery altogether, or to improve your outcomes after surgery.

Examples of some Causes of knee pain?

• Sports injuries
• Motor vehicle accidents
• Slips and Falls
• Osteoarthritis 
• Systemic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, septic or psoriatic arthritis

What are the potential risk factors for knee pain?

• Age
• Lifestyle; work, sports, home responsibilities
• Genetics

Symptoms that accompany knee pain?

• Pain at the front of the knee or across the knee cap (patella), the sides of the knee, or back of the knee
• Dull ache or sharp pain deep into the joint
• The feeling of instability; or that your knee is about to give way
• Knee locking or not being able to achieve full movement in your knee

Knee assessment: What does it involve?

A Physiotherapist will go through a history of your knee pain. They will do some Physical tests to rule out or rule in specific injuries. Some tests may will elicit some of your symptoms. Other tests will check the integrity of your knee and may not elicit any symptoms.

In addition, a gait analysis will be done. The Physiotherapist will watch how you walk to see if your walking has been affected by your injury.  

What does Physiotherapy treatment for this injury involve?

All of your Physiotherapy treatment must be individualized for the best results. Your treatment will involve varying levels of hands on work, stretching, strengthening, and proprioception. The timing and progression of each treatment will depend on the level of your injury. You will have a specific treatment program designed just for you.

When should I see a Physiotherapist?

It’s important to see a Physiotherapist as soon as you feel pain. Sometimes delaying treatment can mean the development of compensations. As a result, you may develop injuries to your hip, back or feet. 

Do I need a knee brace to help with my knee pain?

In some cases, a knee brace may help protect the knee from further injury or to alleviate some pain during activities. This will be discussed with you after your initial assessment. 

For example, a custom knee brace may be recommended if you have a meniscus injury or arthritis in one part of your knee. This can help to unload your knee and ease the pain.

In addition, a brace may also be recommended if you have injured the ligaments of your knee. As a result, this can help to stabilize you while your knee heals or for activity.

PhysioNow has skilled Physiotherapists available to assess and fit you for a custom knee brace if you need one.

Will my knee pain improve on its own?

I’ve tried treatment before and it hasn’t helped or I’ve hit a plateau. How can physiotherapy help now?

• Occasionally, pain into the knee may not be due to direct injury at the knee. Pain from the lower back or feet can be referred into the knee. As a result, if previous treatment has not been specific for the referral pain, the pain may return or plateau.

No matter what the cause of your knee pain is, the Physiotherapists at PhysioNow are ready to help you get started on your recovery!

Call today to get started on your treatment! We have clinics in Mississauga and Etobicoke conveniently located. Direct billing to your insurance company is offered.

Common Questions about KNEE PAIN TREATMENT