Knee Pain

Physiotherapy is indeed a valuable option for managing knee arthritis. While it cannot reverse the arthritic changes in the knee joint, it can significantly improve symptoms and enhance your quality of life in several ways:

1. Pain Reduction: Physiotherapy interventions, such as manual therapy, specific rehab exercises, exercise modification, and NMES can help alleviate pain associated with knee arthritis. By addressing muscle weakness, stiffness, biomechanics and imbalances, physiotherapy can help you reduce knee pain and increase your activity levels.
2. Medication Management: Physiotherapy can assist individuals in reducing their reliance on painkillers and anti-inflammatory medications. Through targeted exercises, joint mobilisations, and lifestyle modifications, individuals may experience decreased pain levels and improved functional ability without the need for medication.
3. Increased Activity Levels: Knee arthritis often leads to decreased physical activity due to pain and stiffness. Physiotherapy aims to improve joint flexibility, muscle strength, and pain levels, allowing you to engage in activities you enjoy with greater ease and confidence. By gradually increasing activity levels under the guidance of a physiotherapist, individuals can maintain or improve their overall fitness and functional capacity with out agonising knee pain.
4. Delay or Avoidance of Surgery: For some people with knee arthritis, physiotherapy may help delay or even avoid the need for surgical intervention. We currently look after lots of patients who have postponed knee surgery for years whilst still remaining active.

Knee swelling, also known as a knee effusion can be a symptom of various underlying conditions.

the location and nature of swelling in the knee can often provide valuable clues about the underlying cause of the issue. For instance:

1. Localised Swelling: Swelling that is concentrated in a specific area of the knee, such as around the kneecap, side of the knee or in the front of the knee, may suggest conditions like bursitis, patellar tendonitis, fat pad impingement or ITB friction syndrome.
2. Generalised Swelling: Swelling that affects the entire knee joint, including the front, sides, and back, can be indicative of more widespread issues such as arthritis, meniscal tears, or severe ligament injuries.
3. Acute Swelling: Swelling that occurs suddenly following a traumatic injury, such as a fall or a sports-related incident, may signal ligament tears, meniscal tears, or fractures.
4. Chronic Swelling: Persistent or recurring swelling that develops gradually over time may be associated with chronic conditions like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or chronic tendinopathy.

The feeling of knee instability can stem from various causes and should not be ignored.

1. Ligament Injuries: Injuries to the ligaments that stabilise the knee, such as the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), medial collateral ligament (MCL), or lateral collateral ligament (LCL), can lead to a sensation of instability. Ligament tears or sprains commonly occur due to sports injuries, sudden twists, or trauma.
2. Meniscal Tears: The meniscus, a C-shaped cartilage that cushions the knee joint, can tear due to sudden twisting movements or degenerative changes. Meniscal tears can cause a feeling of instability.
3. Muscle Weakness or Imbalance: Weakness or imbalance in the muscles surrounding the knee, including the quadriceps, hamstrings, and calf muscles, can compromise the stability of the knee joint. Inadequate muscle support may result from disuse or injury.
4. Joint Instability: Chronic conditions like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or ligament laxity can contribute to joint instability.
5. Patellar Instability: Instability of the patella (kneecap), such as patellar Alta, can cause the knee to feel unstable, particularly during activities that involve bending or straightening the knee.

While MRI scans can be valuable diagnostic tools for assessing knee pain, their necessity depends on the results of a thorough clinical assessment. In many cases, knee pain can be effectively assessed and treated through a comprehensive assessment before resorting to imaging studies.

It’s important to recognise that MRI scans alone may not always provide a complete picture of the underlying cause of knee pain. Clinical assessment involves a detailed history-taking, physical examination, and functional assessment to identify contributing factors such as muscle weakness, joint instability, biomechanical abnormalities, and movement dysfunction.