Knee injuries and knee pain are very common and we assess and treat a multitude of injuries and conditions related to the knee on a weekly basis.
Common knee conditions treated at ProMOTION Physiotherapy include:
Ligament Injury
There are a few different ligaments in the knee that commonly get injured – the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL), the Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL), the Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) and the Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL).
The Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) and Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) are most commonly injured in contact or sports involving sudden changes of direction. Some patients do well with rehabilitation but many will require surgery if they experience ongoing episodes of instability (collapsing / giving-way) or pain.
At ProMOTION Physiotherapy we can diagnose an ACL tear and guide the patient back to fitness whether that is via an Orthopaedic Consultant or through rehabilitation. We offer pre-operative care or (Pre-hab) to prepare the patient for surgery to help deliver the most favorable outcome post-operatively. We also offer post-operative care to take the patient from surgery all the way back to their chosen activities.
Knee Tendon Injuries
Common tendon injuries related to the knee that we treat at ProMOTION Physiotherapy are Patellar Tendinopathy and Proximal Hamstring Tendinopathy (PHT).
Tendon injuries often occur due to an excessive load being placed upon the tendon especially if that load repeatedly is beyond the capacity of the tendon to deal with these forces. We, therefore, see patients who are either very active or are returning to activity following a period of rest experiencing tendinopathy. The latter is always hugely frustrating for patients as quite often they have just motivated themselves to get fit or get strong or lose weight and then they over-reach a little. The tendon, which gets overloaded, can then react badly and result in pain!
Patellar Tendinopathy is sometimes known as Jumpers Knee as it is frequently seen in jumping sports (e.g. basketball, volleyball and high/ long/ triple jumpers).
Proximal Hamstring Tendinopathy is often seen in runners. There is often a history of changes in training that can lead to this condition. Runners who increase the volume of speed / hill work put themselves at risk of a PHT if they do not do this gradually and incrementally. This change in training should be planned.
At ProMOTION Physiotherapy we discuss the history of the injury and establish if there has been a training error that may have led to the injury – this can then guide rehabilitation and ensure the same mistakes are not repeated. We endeavor to keep the athletes running where possible while undergoing the rehabilitation programme as we know how important this can be for the patients’ well being. Sometimes an element of cross training is undertaken if the tendon is very angry and reactive to running.
Kneecap Pain (Patella Femoral Pain Syndrome/ Anterior Knee Pain)
We help many patients with generalized pain on the front of the knee – sometimes there is no clear structure that is responsible or that many areas are so when moving the knee. A catchall diagnosis of anterior knee pain can be a little dissatisfying for a patient so it can sometimes be called Patella Femoral Pain Syndrome.
Patients often complain of occasional clicks/ clunks and swelling. They quite often dislike going up and down stairs and any weight-bearing activities where the knee is bent. The pain can be vague and often does not appear following a trauma which can be frustrating for patients – folk like to know what has caused the pain so they can avoid it happening again.
At ProMOTION Physiotherapy we assess and treat ‘anterior knee pain’ daily. We understand how to get the issue under control, manage the pain and put in place a rehabilitation programme to allow the patient to get back to moving well.
Post-operative Physiotherapy/ Rehabilitation
There are many knee operations that require subsequent post-op rehabilitation.
Below is a list of the common knee conditions that we see and take patients through the post-op journey:
- ACL
- PCL
- Medial and Lateral Meniscus (cartilage)
- Total Knee Replacement
- Patellar instability (dislocating knee cap)
We use our large rehabilitation / Pilates space to allow us to guide patients through gait and movement retraining, strength and joint control exercises as well as programmes to help with balance and increase the patients confidence to get back to whatever level of activity they wish to (e.g. walk the dog, ParkRun, CrossFit).
Knee Osteoarthritis (OA)
How many folk have been told that they have ‘wear and tear’ or naturally degenerative changes related to their age? We hear this a lot and it can be a little disheartening to hear this. We treat patients with Osteoarthritis or wear and tear in their knees daily and very successfully. Often patients have given up activities due to the pain and discomfort related to certain movements. With the different physiotherapy techniques, advice and rehabilitation programmes we can help patients overcome the distress of this condition and get back to a happier lifestyle.
Unfortunately, some patients may end up requiring a Total Knee Replacement. There are many good orthopaedic surgeons in Edinburgh whom we have a great working relationship with. At ProMOTION Physiotherapy all of our physiotherapists have taken vast numbers of patients on their rehabilitation journey from immediately post-op to back to living a pain-free active life.
If you are in need of help or advice you can book an appointment.
