Dealing with knee pain can be a frustrating and debilitating experience. Whether it’s due to an injury, arthritis, or overuse, finding relief is essential for maintaining your quality of life. One effective treatment option that many individuals turn to is physical therapy.
How Does Physical Therapy Help with Knee Pain?
Physical therapy is just one treatment option used to help treat a number of different joint conditions. If you are experiencing joint pain, joint swelling, or limited range of motion, make sure you speak with your healthcare provider. A referral for a course of physical therapy may be beneficial and help alleviate common joint symptoms. In addition, only two papers evaluated muscular strength, maybe due to the difficulty in measuring/using an appropriate instrument. The present study aimed to analyze the efficacy of an exercise program in the treatment of knee OA, with pain and muscle strength being the main outcomes addressed. Our results demonstrate that a rehabilitation program that includes strengthening of a particular muscle group has positive effects on pain.
However, some kinds of physical therapy should not be recommended for elderly OA patients. For instance, Orssatto et al. (2018) reported that 12 weeks of progressive training of a 45° leg press exercise (two sessions/week) could reduce the knee functional ratio (knee flexor torque/knee extensor torque) in elderly OA patients. Therefore, although there are many more different modalities of physical therapies that can be developed, more clinical trials need to be performed to determine the appropriate modality and intensity of physical therapy for different kinds of OA patients. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent joint disease and a leading cause of disability in older adults. With an increasing population ageing and obesity, OA is becoming even more prevalent than it was in previous decades. Evidence indicates that OA is caused by the breakdown of joint tissues from mechanical loading and inflammation, but the deeper underlying mechanism of OA pathogenesis remains unclear, hindering efforts to prevent and treat this disease.
Physical therapy is a non-invasive approach to treating knee pain that focuses on strengthening the muscles around the knee joint, improving flexibility, and reducing inflammation. By working with a physical therapist, you can develop a personalized treatment plan that targets the root cause of your knee pain and helps you regain mobility and function.
The Benefits of Physical Therapy for Knee Pain
- Improved Range of Motion: Physical therapy exercises can help to increase the range of motion in your knee joint, allowing you to move more freely and without pain.
- Strengthens Muscles: Strengthening the muscles around the knee can help to provide more stability and support, reducing the risk of further injury.
- Pain Relief: Physical therapy techniques such as manual therapy and ultrasound can help to reduce pain and inflammation in the knee joint.
- Prevents Surgery: In some cases, physical therapy can help individuals avoid the need for surgery by improving their condition through conservative measures.
Patient education, exercise, and weight maintenance are vital for the successful treatment of these patients. Physical therapy is also generally thought to be important for OA patients before and after knee arthroplasty to achieve optimal outcomes, although the paradigm of rehabilitation varies (Hamilton et al., 2019; Smith et al., 2020). Previous meta-analyses suggested that physical therapy offers short-term benefits for all patients after total knee arthroplasty but has limited effecacy at 1 year (Minns Lowe et al., 2007; Artz et al., 2015). Usually, increased physiotheist contact is thought to enhance the rehabilitation of OA patients after knee arthroplasty, especially prolonging postoperative inpatient rehabilitation.
Patients also should have access to the latest evidence to improve their understanding of their disease and the importance of self-management. For example, Koelling et al. (2009) discovered a unique progenitor cell population in the repair tissue from the articular cartilage of OA patients, which may be relevant in the development of novel therapeutics for OA. As described above, endogenous stem cells are usually activated by various cytokines from inflammatory cells. However, few studies have investigated the effects of mechanical force or other physical stimuli of physical therapy on stem cells. The mechanical force or other stimuli of physical therapy may also activate stem cells, and a combination of physical therapy and stem cell therapy may improve their efficacy for OA treatment.
OA is a common chronic joint disease with multiple pathogenic factors that can seriously lower the quality of life without disease-modifying medications. For decades, the number of OA patients has gradually increased, with a trend of younger age. Thus, a comprehensive understanding of OA is important for patients, researchers, and clinicians. If you do not have insurance, it is important to let the physical therapy office know so that they can provide you with their office-standard rates.
When this protective cartilage gradually wears away over time, osteoarthritis develops — causing pain and swelling in the knee. Knee injuries can result from a direct blow to the knee or a sudden movement that strains the knee beyond the normal range of motion. Knee pain can make it hard to walk, rise from a chair, climb stairs, or play sports. Physical therapists are trained to diagnose and treat knee pain and to help ease your pain and restore movement.
Frequently Asked Questions about Physical Therapy for Knee Pain
These moves target areas where you have pain, so you’re stronger and more flexible — which should make it easier to live your life. Still, it’s a good idea to ask them about their experience in working with people who’ve had conditions like yours. We’ve published clinical studies with over 10,000 Hinge Health members, in collaboration with researchers at Stanford and the University of California, San Francisco.
- How long does it take to see results from physical therapy?
- Is physical therapy painful?
Results may vary depending on the severity of your knee pain and your adherence to the treatment plan. Some individuals may see improvement within a few weeks, while others may take longer.
While physical therapy exercises may cause some discomfort initially, the goal is to improve your symptoms and overall function in the long run. Your physical therapist will work with you to adjust the intensity of the exercises as needed.
