What is causing your knee pain?

Clicking, grinding, popping, pain, numbness, weakness, swelling, giving way...the knee can cause a variety of types of pain. There can be a multitude of causes to knee pain, making a thorough case history and examination vital to addressing knee pain. 

Causes of knee pain:

• Arthritis

• Bursitis

• ACL- Anterior cruciate ligament

• MCL- Medial collateral ligament

• Patellofemoral syndrome

• Tendinitis/otis 

• Tracking issues 

• Fracture

• ITB syndrome

• Dislocation

• Pain referred from the ankle, lower leg or hip

Risk factors for knee pain:

• Muscle weakness

• Misalignment- tracking issues

• Excess body weight

• Weak foot arches

• Arthritis

• Poor foot wear

• Excessive amounts of exercise

• Not stretching or not stretching properly 

• Hip issues

Osteopathic treatment for knee pain

An osteopathic treatment includes a thorough case history, physical examination, orthopaedic testing and hands-on, treatment. Each treatment is tailored to the individual and finding the cause of your pain, rather than solely treating the symptoms. Where applicable, you might be sent for imaging (X-ray or ultrasound) to help diagnose the cause of your knee pain. Treatment is generally never limited to just the knee. Often treatment includes the spine, hip, ankle and often the other side, as it works harder to compensate for your pain. Stretches, exercises and tailored lifestyle advice is given where appropriate. This might include; strengthening your inner thigh (often weak) + glut's, stretching your hamstrings and buying a new pair of running shoes (if they are old and not supportive any more). Treatment is covered under ACC if it is an injury. 

Sarah is a north shore, based osteopath. ACC registered, with no referral required.