knee pain

Our approach of assessing and treating the knee includes the evaluation of the other joints and muscles relating to the knee.

This is for several reasons:

• Firstly, pain can be referred from other structures in the low back, pelvis and hip into the knee, in certain conditions.
• Secondly, if other joints in the lower limb are not working correctly they can put increased stress on the knee joint, resulting in injury over time. Therefore to resolve the knee pain chiropractors may also treat other areas, to maximise long-term improvement.

Some of the common diagnoses associated with knee pain are the following:

• IT band syndrome- tightness in a tendinous muscle along the side of the leg that pulls on the knee and causes pain on the outside of the knee.
• Meniscus tear- a tear or irritation of the fibrous cushioning between the joints of the knee.
• Runner’s knee- pain in the front of the knee from the quads pulling on their attachment.
• Arthritis- a narrowing and roughening of the joint space in the knee.
• Patello-femoral pain syndrome- a general term used to describe knee pain from various causes.

Each of these conditions is complex and can have many different causes. It is important to consult with a specialist familiar with knee conditions to determine the cause of your pain. Chiropractic care may be helpful for many of the causes of knee pain.