Knee pain is a common injury that can be easily misdiagnosed and treated inappropriately. Knee pain can be felt at the front, back, sides, or inside of the knee. It can be described as clicking, pressure, sore, sharp, unstable, and weak. Oftentimes, these injuries are caused by certain medical conditions, overuse, trauma, or postural compensation coming from the hips. As Gonstead chiropractors, we don’t just help with the knee but also the postural compensation which usually comes from the hips (pelvis) or the ankle (talus).
Leg Length Discrepancy
A functional leg length discrepancy/short-long leg can cause additional pressure to the knee especially to the shorter leg. Excessive pronation or supination (slanting) of the ankle bone can lead to compensated knee and hip. This is usually the most common cause of knee pain. People with this issue tend to fall down easier, sprain their ankles or walk with an antalgic gait as they are not balanced on both legs.
Neuromuscular
Pain that radiates from the lower back to the knee can be caused by a pinched nerve in the lumbar or sacral region of the spine. Common symptoms of this are pins and needles down to the knee or foot, weakness of the foot, and tight knee muscles (hamstrings and quadriceps). Often the patient thinks they have a knee issue due to the hamstring or quadricep pain but the root cause is from the lower back.
Arthritis
People who have fallen down from a fall to the knee can also cause knee pain. Minor falls to the knee may not show fracture on the x-rays but it can cause degeneration and misalignment to the knee joint.
Knee pain that is chronic may lead to degeneration to the meniscus (joint cartilage) of the knee leading to arthritis. It is commonly known as post-trauma arthritis however, some people will experience arthritis of other forms which can be classified as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
Rheumatoid arthritis cannot be cured but the symptoms can be managed by medications given by the rheumatologist and other healthcare providers such as chiropractors and physiotherapists. However, if you are under high dosage and long term steroid medications, you have to let the other practitioners know.
Traumatic
This is usually the most severe kind of injury to the knee as a trauma can lead to fracture or dislocation to the knee and kneecaps. A surgical intervention is recommended followed by post surgical rehab.
Here are some tips to help ease knee pain. Icing the joint is a good way to reduce inflammation and swelling in the knee. Elevating the leg during sleep can reduce excessive joint swelling upon waking up. If the knee feels unstable, buy a good knee brace to protect the joint when you walk outside. Lastly, find a Gonstead chiropractor to help check and suggest a treatment plan.
