Knee, Balance and Walking

Knee pain is one of the most commonly experienced areas of musculoskeletal pain. Most people simply dismiss this pain as ‘wear and tear’ or the eventual decline associated with ageing until this pain becomes so debilitating and they are forced to seek help.

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome refers to pain in the front of the knee around the kneecap and often commonly occurs in people of all ages. This is often a result of weakness in the muscles around the knee which affect balance and the alignment of the knee. The knees are the shock absorbers of the bodies – over time if a heavy amount of strain is placed on the knees, it can lead to increased breakdown of cartilage.

Symptoms:

• Pain when bending the knee or putting pressure on the knee
• Pain during exercise or everyday activities
• Limited range of motion
• Limping and/or unable to walk

When to see a Clinician:

At Restoracare Health, treating knee injuries is our passion. If your pain has been persistent for some time and has not responded to stretches or over the counter medication. It may be time to see a chiropractor, physiotherapist, or registered massage therapist who can correctly identify the root of your symptoms and provide you with immediate relief. For all things including your legs, custom foot orthotics may help with improving the alignment of your leg.

What treatment to Expect:

• Identifying the tight muscle(s) and joint(s) that are causing you your symptoms
• Loosening up the area with deep tissue therapy and joint mobilizations
• Additional rehabilitation will gradually be introduced for strengthening and prevention
• Your chiropractor may recommend custom foot orthotics if the cause of your issues stem from your feet
• Often this condition is completely resolved within 6 – 8 weeks of physiotherapy or chiropractic management

Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis that occurs when the protective cartilage that is between the bones becomes worn down over time due to wear and tear. Although this can occur in any joint of the body, it most commonly affects the joints in the hands, knees, hips, and spine. It is normal for the joints to become worn down with age, but this change may be associated with pain. The damage to the cartilage cannot be reversed, but there are multiple ways to prevent the degeneration from progressing, improve your quality of life, and manage the pain and discomfort. Pain can often be managed through physical therapy and rehabilitation.

Symptoms:

• Pain in the affected area
• Joint stiffness after waking up or after periods of inactivity
• Tenderness when applying pressure
• Loss of range of motions
• Hearing popping or cracking sounds
• Swelling caused by inflammation in the joint

When to see a Clinician:

If you have experienced an increase in pain or weakness, find daily activities more difficult or finding the pain affected your sleep. It may be time to see a chiropractor, physiotherapist or
registered massage therapist who can identify the location of your osteoarthritis and have you moving and feeling better.

What treatment to Expect:

• We want to hear your story – this gives us clues to any triggers to avoid and identifies
positions of relief which will help your recovery
• A thorough physical examination to identify dysfunctions in your body
• Together, we will create a treatment plan that works around your schedule and needs. This plan may include a mixture of deep muscle therapy, acupuncture, joint mobilizations and prescriptive rehabilitation to get you back to moving and feeling better.