Ouch! My Knee Hurts!
Knee pain can happen anywhere, anytime. Mundane activities like getting out of bed or getting out of a car or even taking a walk can cause sudden knee pain. What is more, most knee pain is unexplainable, seemingly brought on by activities of daily living. The causes of knee pain very from case to case, but it is mostly caused by excessive mechanical strain on the knee joint. Of course, age and athletic activity can lead to knee injury and pain.
Don’t let knee pain keep you from living your life to the fullest. Your physical therapist can help you understand the underlying causes of your knee pain and get you on the path to recovery!
If you are an athlete or a sports personality, then you would know how badly Knee Ligament Injuries hurt. Swelling and bruising are common with such injuries, but the pain that accompanies makes your life horrible. Basic activities like running, walking or even sitting becomes restricted and a painful task.
What Are Knee Ligaments
The knee is the largest joint in our body and is composed of a band of ligaments (or tissues). These tissues connect bones present in and around the knee joints. They also connect your thigh bone with your lower legs. Any injury or trauma to knee ligaments causes severe pain that sometimes becomes intolerable.
Common Types Of Knee Ligaments Injury
Knee Ligament Injuries are mainly classified into three categories:
- Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injuries: These ligaments stretch crossways through the center of your knee and offer support to three knee joints: the tibia, femur, and patella. Any injury or sprain to the ACL causes swelling of the knee and a high degree of pain.
- Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL) Injuries: Along with ACL, the LCL helps you to move your knees sideways. It also keeps your knee intact from bending outward. Often the LCL gets injured during activities that involve quick or sudden jerk while bending or twisting. This normally happens if you are involved in football or soccer and skiing. An injury to LCL causes swelling, pain and instability.
- Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) Injuries: Together, the ACL and PCL form a bridge to balance the back and forth movements of your knee, especially when the knee is bent. A PCL injury occurs when your knee dashes with a hard surface or objects.
Treatment For Knee Ligament Injuries
Physical therapy is a powerful way to tackle knee injuries and increase the speed of recovery. Treating injury of the Knee With Ligaments by a physical therapist includes different exercises focusing on reducing the pain and stimulating the blood circulation.
Causes Of Knee Pain
- Injuries from daily activities or accidents that result in bruising
- Inappropriate mechanical stress
- Strain
- Osteoarthritis
- Bursitis
- Some autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis
- Some metabolic disorders
- Uncontrolled diabetes
Symptoms Of Knee Pain
- Redness of the knee joint
- Swelling in and around the knee
- Stiffness of the knee joint
- Inability to straighten the leg completely
- Unstable joint
- Popping, crunching or clicking sounds with movement
- Fever with knee pain, which can signal infection
How We Treat Knee Pain
Your physical therapist will recommend treatment modalities based on initial examination, any underlying conditions, and in certain cases, any recommendations your physician might make. Direct Access makes it possible for you to see a physical therapist without the need for a prescription.
For more effective exercises and treatment for knee ligament injuries in VA, contact RVA Physical Therapy
Direct Access
More information on direct access can be found here: https://www.rvaphysicaltherapy.com/direct-access/