Knee Pain

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Healthy knees are a critical part of a healthy lifestyle. Painful inflammation in the knee joint can slow you down when it comes to the hobbies you love, like gardening, golf, pickleball or anything else that requires movement in your legs (which is just about everything). Fortunately, knee pain doesn’t have to slow you down forever. When you’re proactive and seek physical therapy for ongoing knee pain, you can likely avoid surgery and get back to the active lifestyle you enjoy, without the chronic nagging in your kneecaps.

In this page, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about knee pain — possible causes, possible treatments (and what those treatments look like), and when you should see a physical therapist. Think of this as your be-all-end-all guide for combatting knee pain and getting back on to that pickleball court (or power walking the mall or squatting 500 pounds or whatever it is that you do in your free time).

Contents

What Causes Knee Pain?

Before we can look into treatment options, the first thing we have to do is identify what can even cause knee pain. The root cause of your symptoms will dictate the type of treatment recommended. Some of the most common causes of knee pain include:

Degeneration — Basically, degeneration means that the joint has simply worn down over time due to things like age and repetitive movements. This type of cause doesn’t often feel very satisfying because it doesn’t pinpoint to one thing, but fortunately knee pain caused by degeneration does very well with physical therapy treatment.
Arthritis — Similar to natural degeneration, arthritis in the knee develops when the normal wear and tear on the knee actually breaks down the cartilage within the joint. The cartilage is meant to cushion the movement of the joint, so when this breaks down, inflammation can develop, making movement in the knee painful.
Injury — In some cases, injury like a torn ligament (e.g., ACL tear), fracture, dislocated kneecap or torn tendon could result in chronic pain. Typically, you will be aware that an injury has happened, and the pain will come on suddenly, as opposed to gradually becoming evident over a course of several weeks or months.

Some additional risks that could make you more susceptible to chronic knee pain include excessive weight gain, limited stretching before sports, or movement and occupations that require consistent manual labor.

Treatments for Knee Pain

OK, so now that we know what the possible causes of knee pain are, let’s talk through the treatment options available. There are many routes to go for treatment, all of which have the goal of reducing your symptoms and getting you back to an active lifestyle without knee pain slowing you down. In some severe cases, surgery may be the only option. However, most instances of surgery can be avoided (except in the case of severe injury) by being proactive about these other treatment options.

Some of the common at-home treatment options for knee pain include:

Over the counter medication — Some over-the-counter medication like ibuprofen can help reduce the pain and inflammation in your knees. This is a good option if your pain is mild and rare, but it is not a long-term solution.
RICE — Does anyone remember this from health class in high school? Rest, ice, compression and elevation: RICE. This tried-and-true method is great for minor injuries, such as a sprained ligament from not stretching enough before biking.
Daily stretches — Stretching the ligaments and tendons in your knee can help reduce any pain and pulling you feel behind your kneecap or in the back of your leg. This can also help reduce your risk of future injury, so win-win here.

If you’ve tried at-home treatments for a couple of weeks, and you’re still experiencing knee pain, it’s time to see a physical therapist. Fortunately, you don’t need a referral from your doctor to see a physical therapist; you can go directly to your nearest PT clinic and schedule an appointment.

Physical therapy treatments include:

Soft tissue manipulation — Soft tissue manipulation can reduce swelling and bring in new joint fluid to the area, which is especially helpful if the knee joint has lost fluid and is worn down from degeneration or arthritis.
Knee joint mobilization — This is a great treatment to help improve function and mobility, while decreasing pain for patients with osteoarthritis and other causes of inflammation in the knee.
Hot/cold therapy — This simple treatment is proven to help reduce swelling and inflammation, and may be used for patients who have arthritis or an injury to the tendons/ligaments in the knee that is causing pain and swelling.
Kinesiology taping — Kinesiology taping for the knee can help improve circulation, reduce swelling and support the muscles surrounding the knee joint — all of which can increase function and decrease pain.
Therapeutic exercises and stretches — Certain exercises and stretches are designed to build the muscles around the knee joint so that the joint can better support the weight of the body during movement without much pain or discomfort.

When to See a Physical Therapist for Knee Pain

If your knee pain is mild and only lasts a few days — and it’s not really limiting you from your normal activities too much — you can probably try some of the at-home treatments listed above. However, there are a few warning signs indicating that you should see a physical therapist about your knee pain, such as:

Pain that worsens despite at-home treatment
Pain that lasts longer than two weeks
Pain that is sudden, caused by an injury
Pain that prevents you from your normal activities
Additional symptoms that include pain down your legs, numbness or tingling in your calves or feet, or stabbing pain in your knee or leg during certain movements.

Fortunately, you don’t need a doctor’s referral to seek treatment for your knee pain from a physical therapist. If you’re ready to get back to the lifestyle you enjoy, you can contact our office today or find a location near you online to schedule an appointment.

At Lattimore Physical Therapy, we’re here to help you get back on your feet.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Physical Therapy?

Physical therapy is a health care profession that involves evaluating, diagnosing and treating disorders of the musculoskeletal system. The goal of physical therapy is to focus on movement in order to restore function, minimize pain and improve an individual’s quality of life. Physical therapists often utilize treatment modalities such as therapeutic exercise, soft tissue mobilization, ultrasound, electrical stimulation and other treatments to help achieve these goals.

Do I Need a Referral?

The state of New York has “direct access” to physical therapy, which means that patients are not legally required to have a physician’s referral to see a physical therapist. However, some insurances may require patients to have a referral or authorization before they will approve payment. Be sure to contact your insurance company beforehand and determine the process that they require.

It’s important to know that if you are under the care of a physician and require physical therapy treatment, you have the freedom to choose your own physical therapy clinic.

Do You Accept My Insurance?

We accept most major insurance coverages. Some of those we accept include Tricare, Medicare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna and workers’ compensation. If you don’t see your insurance company listed above, reach out to us and we’ll let you know if we accept yours. At the time of scheduling your first appointment, we request that you provide us your insurance information so that we may verify your benefits and coverage.

How Can I Pay for Treatment?

We accept payment via cash, check, flex spending card, and debit or credit card (Visa, Mastercard and Discover). Payment is expected at the time of treatment and typically required during check-in. If you have insurance coverage, there may be a deductible or copay required.

Before your first visit, we will contact your insurance company to verify your benefits for physical therapy. Some insurance providers have restrictions on specific treatments. As a courtesy, Lattimore Physical Therapy files with your primary insurance as well as any secondary coverage. You will be billed for any cost share (if applicable) after your insurance has paid their portion.

What Should I Expect During My First Visit?

During your initial visit, your physical therapist will provide you with a thorough 45-minute to one-hour evaluation in a private room. Please be prepared to discuss your needs, your pain, and any lack of mobility or function that you currently have. This evaluation will involve certain range-of-motion, postural and strength tests to help your physical therapist develop a plan unique to you and your condition.Treatment for your injury will begin on the day of your initial visit.

How Should I Dress?

You should wear loose-fitting clothing during each session with us. Loose-fitting clothing helps us access and move the areas of the body that are being treated. If you have a knee problem, it is best to wear shorts. For a shoulder problem, a tank top is a good choice. For low back problems, a loose-fitting shirt and pants are the best go-tos.

Do I Need to Bring Any MRIs or X-rays That I Have?

Please bring any relevant MRI or X-ray interpretation reports from your physician’s office. However, since X-rays and MRIs aren’t always the most telling, your physical therapist will want to also take into account your medical history and other physical tests and measures. Their goal is to perform an evaluation as best they can using a thorough series of processes.

How Many Visits Will I Need?

The number of visits necessary to complete treatment varies from patient to patient. Some patients only undergo a couple of sessions, while others need several months of care. It most often depends on your diagnosis, the severity of your impairment(s), your past medical history and other similar factors. You will also be reevaluated on a monthly basis. Each time you visit your doctor, we will provide you with a progress report with our professional recommendations.

Can I Bring My Child With Me to My Appointments?

Yes! Our policy allows for children to accompany their parents during appointments.

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