Does your knee feel like it is ‘giving out’? Did you land badly after jumping to catch the basketball? Do you have difficulty walking up and down stairs? Or maybe you had knee surgery. If you answered ‘yes’ to any of the above or you are suffering from osteoarthritis, you are not alone.
The most common condition affecting the knee is osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is caused by cartilage in the knee gradually wearing away and resulting in pain and swelling. Knee injuries can occur due to a direct blow or sudden movement that causes strain on the knee beyond its normal movement, as can happen in sports, recreational activities, motor vehicle accident or a fall.
Knee pain can be caused by worn cartilage, meniscal tears, torn ligaments or muscle imbalance. Repeated stress placed upon the knee can cause patellofemoral pain syndrome.
If you have knee problems, your physical therapist can develop a customized program for your knee condition. Keep in mind, gentle exercises such as swimming, aquatic exercise or walking is preferred rather than high impact aerobics or jogging.
During your evaluation at Island Physical Therapy, the physical therapist will guide you through specific ways to maintain your knee health before and after injury or surgery. Your physical therapist has the relevant educational background and expertise to evaluate your knee health and refer you to your primary physician, if necessary.
Call Dr. Richardson for more information or to make an appointment for a complete assessment.
Tel #: (264) 584-3546 / 772-3546 Via email: GinaRichardsonDPT@gmail.com
