Understanding Knee Pain: Causes, Symptoms, and Osteopathic Treatment

Knee pain is a common issue that can affect people of all ages. It can result from an injury, overuse, or underlying medical conditions. Understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatments for knee pain can help you manage the condition effectively and improve your quality of life.

Struggling with Knee Pain? Want to know more?

Causes of Knee Pain

Knee pain can stem from numerous causes due to the complex anatomy of the knee and the many structures involved. The knee joint is situated between the femur (thigh bone) and the tibia (shin bone), with the patella (kneecap) at the front. It comprises several structures including ligaments, muscles, the joint capsule, the synovial membrane, and two C-shaped pieces of cartilage called menisci that sit between the femur and tibia. Below is a list of common causes for why your knee might be hurting:

Why does your knee hurt?

    • Bursitis: Inflammation of the bursae, small fluid-filled sacs that cushion the knee.

    • Meniscus Tears: Tears in the cartilage that cushion the knee joint, typically from twisting motions.

    • Tendinitis: Inflammation of the tendons, often from repetitive activities.

    • Ligament Injuries: Such as ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) or MCL (medial collateral ligament) tears, often from sports activities.

    • Osteoarthritis: Degeneration of joint cartilage and underlying bone, causing pain and stiffness.

    • Rheumatoid Arthritis: An autoimmune condition that leads to joint inflammation.

    • Gout: A form of arthritis caused by a build up of uric acid crystals in the joint.

  • Broken bones resulting from trauma or falls. In some cases cartilage can break off when your bones fracture.

    • Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome: Pain around the kneecap, common in athletes.

    • Iliotibial Band Syndrome: Overuse injury causing pain on the outer side of the knee.

    • Osgood-Schlatter Disease: Causes pain and swelling below the kneecap in adolescents.

Symptoms of Knee Pain

We can get many different symptoms of knee pain

  • Pain: Ranging from mild to severe, depending on the cause

  • Swelling: In and around the knee, can indicate a structure within the knee is injured.

  • Stiffness: Difficulty bending or straightening the knee, especially after periods of being still. This can be inflammation present in the joint or signs of ageing in the knee.

  • Redness and Warmth: Indicates inflammation. Usually early stages following an injury or trauma to the knee.

  • Weakness or Instability: Feeling of the knee giving way. This can be issues with the cartilage, ligament or muscles around the knee.

  • Popping or Crunching Noises: Sounds during movement. This can indicate damage inside the knee, however noise from the knee can be very common and not indicate any injury at all.

  • Locking: Struggling to fully straighten or bend the knee. This can have a random nature to it, and is most likely the menisci that are irritated.

If you are suffering with any of these symptoms, and would like to discuss your knee pain with a professional - please get in touch today with Osteo Joe.

Osteopathic approach to Knee Pain

Osteopathy treats the body as a whole, focusing on the musculoskeletal system to promote overall health and well-being. This is why when looking at knee pain, an Osteopath may be much more interested in your feet, ankles, hips and lower back!

Osteopathic practitioners use hands-on techniques to diagnose and treat knee pain effectively. They will often prescribe an exercise rehabilitation programme, and offer advice to try and modify lifestyle and postural habits.

Osteopathic techniques to help with Knee Pain

The hands on techniques that Osteopaths use will aim to try and relieve pain in the knee and encourage movement in other areas.

  • Soft Tissue Manipulation: Techniques to relieve muscle tension and improve circulation. Especially focussed around the leg muscles.

  • Joint Mobilisation: Gentle movements to improve range of motion and reduce pain. This can be applied to the knee, ankle, hips and lower back.

  • Myofascial Release: Stretching and loosening the connective tissues to enhance mobility. Especially around the hip and thigh muscles.

  • Spinal Adjustments: Addressing issues in the spine that may contribute to knee pain.

Exercises and Rehabilitation for Knee Pain

Rehabilitation needs to be tailored to the individual depending on a variety of different factors. To develop a plan please get in touch. Broadly speaking - we will try and adapt the following principles in your rehabilitation programme:

  • Strengthening Exercises: Targeted exercises to build muscle strength around the knee and hip areas

  • Stretching: Improving flexibility to reduce stiffness.

  • Balance Training: Exercises to enhance stability and prevent future injuries.

  • Low-Impact Aerobic Activities: Activities like swimming or cycling to maintain fitness without overloading the knee.

Preventing Knee Pain

There are many ways to help prevent knee pain. Most of these take time and patience and require a good level of commitment from the patient.

  • Regular Exercise: Maintaining strength and flexibility through consistent physical activity.

  • Proper Technique: Using correct form during sports and exercises to avoid injury.

  • Gradual Progression: Increasing activity levels gradually to prevent overuse injuries.

  • Posture: Maintaining good posture to reduce strain on the knees.

  • Ergonomics: Adjustments to daily activities to prevent knee pain.

  • Weight Management: Maintaining a healthy weight to reduce stress on the knees.

 Knee Pain FAQ

  • Knee pain can be caused by a variety of factors including injuries (like ligament tears or meniscus tears), overuse, arthritis, bursitis, tendinitis, gout, and other underlying medical conditions.

  • Preventing knee pain involves maintaining a healthy weight, staying active with low-impact exercises, using proper techniques during physical activities, wearing supportive footwear, and avoiding prolonged sitting or standing.

  • Knee pain is diagnosed through a physical examination, patient history, and diagnostic tests such as X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, and sometimes blood tests or arthroscopy to identify the underlying cause.

  • Treatment options for knee pain include rest, ice, compression, elevation (RICE), physical therapy, osteopathic treatments, medications for pain and inflammation, injections, and in some cases, surgery.

  • For the majority of the time - yes, being overweight can increase the strain on your knees, making them more susceptible to pain and injuries.

    Weight management through a healthy diet and regular exercise can help reduce knee pain.

  • Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease caused by wear and tear on the knee cartilage, while rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition that leads to inflammation of the knee joints. Both can cause knee pain and stiffness but have different underlying mechanisms.

  • The healing time for knee pain depends on the cause and severity. Minor injuries may resolve within a few weeks with proper care, while more severe conditions or injuries may take several months and may require professional treatment.

  • If your knee pain is not improving with self-care measures, it's important to consult a healthcare professional for a thorough evaluation and appropriate treatment plan.

Don’t let your Knee Pain be the excuse.

Knee pain can significantly impact your daily life, but with the right approach, you can find relief and improve your overall health. Osteopathy offers a holistic, effective solution for treating and preventing knee pain. Contact us today to learn how we can help you achieve a pain-free life.