Osteopaths don’t just treat back pain, and you may be surprised to know that 35 % of my patients come to the clinic for symptoms related to the knee. Patients suffering from knee pain tend to either consult an Osteopath or Physio, rather than conventional medical help.
A survey from a Rheumatology article where individuals with knee pain were identified through postal questionnaires of patients aged 50 and over from two GP practices in southeast London. In this sample nearly half of those who reported knee pain had not seen their GP and were self-managing their condition. A mixture of physical, social and psychological factors predicted visits to GPs and rates of referral to secondary care.
Did you know your knee is the largest joint in the body?
It is a major weight-bearing joint and is one of the most frequently injured joints in the human body. Knee pain can have several different causes and can be painful and debilitating, and although some conditions may require surgery, many can be helped with the right advice, exercise and treatment.
The knee joint lies between the femur and tibia and at the front are the patella or kneecap. It is made up of many structures including ligaments, muscles, capsule, synovial membrane and two ‘c’ shaped pieces of cartilage which sit between the femur and tibia known as the menisci.
What Causes Knee Pain
Common symptoms in the knee include pain, stiffness, aching, pain, locking, swelling, limping and difficulty fully straightening or bending the knee.
Here are some of the more common knee problems:
Referral pain – knee pain may be a result of the compression of the nerves supplying the knee at various levels down its course from the low back. It may also be referred from trigger points in muscles further up or down the leg or the pelvic area.
Osteoarthritis - This can happen as we age, and natural wear and tear happen to the knee. Symptoms may include aching in the knee area or painful after certain activities such as climbing stairs, walking long distances or stiffness present mainly in the mornings or after rest. Pain may be experienced within the joint, all around it or in one place.
There are many causes for osteoarthritis of the knee, often worsened with mechanical issues with the pelvis and indeed the foot / ankle can have the same effect resulting in more pressure being put onto one knee than the other or it may be due to secondary to osteoarthritis of the the respective areas discussed.
Sports Injuries – Repetitive pain due to running and jumping. Ligament tears commonly cruciate ligaments tears which are found in the knee joint. Tears can occur with repetitive training or strain or not balancing your weight while training and putting too much pressure onto the knee joint. Damage to the joint capsule and the ligaments on the inside and the outside of the knee are also common.
Meniscal/cartilage tears – the meniscus/cartilage is found lining the ends of the tibia and femur (shin and thigh bones that meet in the knee). Damage often occurs to these structures when the knee is over-rotated.
Biomechanical issues such as kneecap lateral tracking (moving towards the outside) - occurs as a result of many problems including dropping of the foot arches, knock knees, lack of tone of the quad muscles nearer the inside of the leg. Sometimes it’s a result of different length in the legs or pelvic torsions.
How can an Osteopath help with knee pain?
Osteopathy is based on the principle that the wellbeing of an individual depends on their bones, muscles, ligaments and connective tissue functioning smoothly together.
Osteopaths use physical manipulation, stretching and massage with the aim of:
increasing the mobility of joints
Relieving any muscle tension
Enhancing the blood supply to tissues
Helping the body to heal naturally.
We are also very proud to have laser therapy, interferential, ultra sound and shockwave that also helps us manage our patients pains and symptoms.
We use a range of techniques, but not drugs or surgery, if we feel a patient needs further treatment or surgery, we will refer them to a GP or Orthopaedic Surgeon.
Check our our Instagram page for exercise tips and advice related to knee pain.
Source: Institute of Osteopathy and NHS.