Knee pain can be due to one of many issues and is the product of either direct or indirect trauma. Since the knee is the middle child in the lower limb, it can take a beating when the source of dysfunction may actually be in the low back, hip, ankle or foot, or may be due to muscular imbalances, joint restrictions in the neighboring joints, or overuse.
Common conditions of the knee:
Patello-femoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS)
Pain under and around the knee cap is usually due to poor patella/knee cap tracking. This improper tracking is likely the result of imbalance of the surrounding muscles, although there are many factors that can be contributing (for example, the cartilage underneath the knee cap can often become irritated, causing much of the pain). Restoring proper muscle tone and function, and strengthening the hips is usually the course of treatment for petello-femoral pain syndrome, however each case needs to be evaluated to determine the proper course of treatment.
Iliotibial Band (ITB) Syndrome
Irritation and inflammation of the iliotibial band (ITB) near the outside of the knee. Discomfort on the outside of the knee is experienced during physical activity, particularly running downhill, biking and walking up stairs. Often times a snapping or squeaking sensation in the knee may be felt during walking or running. This condition is the result of overuse (over training), improper foot biomechanics causing increased stress on the knee, leg length asymmetry, improperly fitted bicycle, and/or muscular imbalance (tight hamstrings, quadriceps; weak gluteal muscles).
Jumper’s Knee (ie. Patellar Tendonitis)
Irritation and inflammation at the attachment of the infra-patellar tendon to the tibia bone. Many factors can increase the likelihood of developing Jumper’s Knee, some of which are increasing training distance, hill training, squats or repetitive knee bends, or direct trauma to the tendon. Discomfort is located around and below the knee; it increases during or after strenuous exercise, up and down stairs/hills, or after sitting with the knee bent for a prolonged period of time. Symptoms will vary depending on the severity of the tendonitis.
Traumatic over-stretching of a ligament or ligaments of the knee. These sprains can present very differently depending on which ligament is affected: ACL, PCL, LCL or MCL. This type of knee injury is common with contact sports or high velocity sports, motor vehicle accidents, and walking or running on uneven terrain. There is usually a popping sound that accompanies the tear (but this is not always the case), rapid swelling, and feeling of instability.
Several treatment options available to solve many painful knee conditions: