Knees

Introduction to

Knees

In its most simplistic view the knee is a hinge joint. When we delve deeper into the mechanics in and around the joint, it becomes a bit more complex in its working and this explains why knee problems are common in people of all ages. The main aspect of the knee joint is where the femur (thigh bone) meets the tibia (shin bone). There is a soft cartilage known as the meniscus which sits between these bones and acts as a shock absorber. At the front of the knee we also have the patella (kneecap).

What causes Knee pain?

Knee pain can be caused by a number of different structures. There are a variety of possible reasons for a person to experience pain in this region. Pain can be caused by inflammation in the joint caused by arthritis, or from a muscle injury to the surrounding tissues. It can also be due to problems in the cartilage or meniscal tissue, as well as by injuries to the ligaments that support the knee (cruciates and collateral ligaments). Knee pain is also commonly 'mechanical' in nature, with muscle imbalances in the knee and/or hip often creating pain symptoms in the knee due to 'overloading'. The onset of the pain can be a good indicator of what structures might be at fault and a thorough assessment is usually required to examine this joint.

What can be done to help?

Medication can be a useful first step in helping to relieve pain in the knee. This can be discussed with your GP or Pharmacist. Another early intervention which is often encouraged is Physiotherapy. A specialist assessment can give a good indication of what might help a knee problem recover. Often techniques used by Physiotherapists such as manual therapies, taping and exercise prescription can assist in the rehabilitation. Sometimes further assessment is required in order to establish the exact cause of the problem. This can include scans (ultrasound, MRI, X-ray) or seeing a specialist knee consultant.

What exercises can I try?

Due to the complexity of the knee joint, and the variety of possible problems, it is very difficult to prescribe the correct exercises that will help recovery from a knee problem. We recommend seeing one of our Physiotherapist's who will be able to provide the best treatment and show you the correct exercises for your individual needs. Often, a few simple exercises done correctly can go a long way to alleviate knee problems.

Common Knee Pathologies That We Treat

Knee OA
Uni-compartmental Knee OA
Meniscal Tears (Knee)
ACL and other knee ligament Injuries
Pre-operative Rehabilitation
Post-operative Rehabilitation
Treatments We Offer

‍Manual Therapy‍

Specialist Joint Brace/Support Fitting
Bespoke Exercise Prescription/Programming
Bespoke Strength & Conditioning Programming
Pain Management Treatments- Acupuncture/Taping/Bracing
Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) Rehabilitation
Dedicated Ossur Knee Brace fitting service

As part of our specialist services we are proud to be registered as the region's Ossur knee brace fitting clinic.
Chronic knee pain can be debilitating and dramatically decrease your quality of life. Our partnership with Ossur allows us to share our expertise, giving you the opportunity to decide on the steps to help you further.
For more information about our Ossur knee brace fitting service please visit our dedicated service page here.