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The most common causes of knee pain - and how to remedy it


January 22, 2020

Knee pain is not only uncomfortable, it can be worrisome. With so much talk about MCL and ACL tears...any little knee pain might have you wondering. It’s important to know that there could be a number of reasons you are experiencing your knee-pain, and as your Wyoming/Nebraska physical therapist we can help you on your path to recovery. Remember that if you think you might be experiencing extreme knee pain, or it’s something more than a little soreness, see your primary care physician. This is not a list of all symptoms, but a general guide to help you determine your next steps.

Tendonitis
Are you an active person? We hope the answer is yes, but while being active it’s important to take your time and be careful. Overuse can result in tendonitis - an inflammation of the tendons. It can also commonly occur during high impact sports in which you’re forcefully hitting the ground. Symptoms of tendonitis include swelling in the area of the tendon, feeling a lump in that area, and difficulty moving that tendon.

Torn cartilage 
Trauma to the knee, such as a hard hit or even an extreme misstep, can cause the cartilage in and around the knee to tear. Unfortunately, cartilage tears can be very serious, particularly if you are an athlete. Symptoms of a torn cartilage in the knee can include tenderness, popping sounds, swelling, and inability to put weight on that leg.

Sprained/strained ligaments
Your ligaments are as equally important to stability as your cartilage. These also can be serious, and can occur from a hard hit or other trauma to your knee and surrounding area. Because of how important ligaments are to the stability of your knee, these injuries can also be very serious. Symptoms are similar to that of torn cartilage, so if you are experiencing any of them be sure to see a doctor promptly.

This is not an exhaustive list of all causes of knee pain. If you are experiencing any of the above issues, or have additional pain concerns please reach out to your primary care physician. Everyone is truly different, and each body reacts differently to pain and stress. We can always help advise you on the proper course of action, or refer you to a local primary care physician that can help you figure out your next steps. 

No matter what your diagnosis is, we at North Platte Physical Therapy, are here to help meet your needs. Physical therapy can be essential in healing from any knee-injury, and with proper care you can be back to your normal routine in no time. We serve the communities of Wyoming and Nebraska with 22 clinics offering a full range of physical therapy services. Contact us today for more information.
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