The knee is the human body’s biggest and most complicated joint. It’s also one of the least known. While many individuals suffer from knee pain, few are aware that chiropractic therapy for knee pain might provide relief.
The Knee’s Complexities
To give strength and stability, the knee is made up of two distinct joints that are kept together by different ligaments, tendons, and muscles. The structures that comprise the knee are as follows:
Tibiofemoral Joint – This joint connects the femur (thigh’s long bone) to the tibia (shin bone).
Patello-femoral Joint – This joint connects the femur to the patella (knee cap).
There are several structures within these joints that, when damaged, contribute to a loss of mobility and stability in the knee. Injuries frequently result in considerable or persistent pain.
Articular cartilage protects the extremities of the tibia and femur where they come together to create the knee joint.
The lateral and medial menisci are two semicircular fibrocartilage structures that cradle the two rounded ends that emerge from the femur (condyles).
Ligaments – The knee has four primary ligaments: the lateral (LCL), medial collateral (MCL), anterior (ACL), and posterior cruciate ligaments (PCL). The LCL and MCL go from the femoral condyles to the heads of the fibula and tibia on the outside and ‘inside’ of the knee joint, respectively. The ACL and PCL are inside-knee ligaments that connect the femoral condyles to the tibial head. The ACL and PCL are sometimes known as the intracapsular ligaments because they are located deep within the joint’s ‘capsule.’
Tendons are connective tissue fibrous bands that link muscle to bone. Each of these tendons is named after the muscle group from which it originates. The quadriceps tendon, for example, connects the quadriceps muscle to the patella.
What Factors Contribute to Knee Pain?
Because they endure the greatest abuse, the knee is the biggest joint in the body. With each stride at a regular walking pace, the knee bears nearly 12 times your body weight in pressure. This implies that if you weigh 200 pounds, the knee may absorb up to 300 pounds of stress every time your foot hits the ground.
Activities like jogging, running, and leaping increase the strain on the knee. Even seemingly innocuous acts like squatting to pick something up can put pressure on your joints. This exercise puts up to 4 to 5 times your body weight on your knees. Because the knee is subjected to so much strain in everyday activities, any number of injuries or complaints can lead to substantial discomfort and loss of mobility. When seeking chiropractic therapy for knee pain, it is critical to first determine the source of the discomfort. Once you’ve determined the source of the discomfort, you may start planning a therapy plan.
The following are some of the most prevalent reasons of knee pain:
Bursitis of the knee develops when the bursa, or fluid-filled sac, in the knee becomes inflamed as a result of repeated stimulation. This ailment, often known as ‘housemaid’s knee,’ is frequent among those whose jobs demand extended kneeling, such as plumbers, mechanics, and gardeners.
Osteoarthritis of the Knee – also known as degenerative joint disease, this condition happens when the cartilage that protects the bones in the knee wears away due to age or injury, resulting in bone-on-bone contact. Patients who have a history of obesity or knee injuries are more likely to acquire this illness.
Patellar Chondromalacia, sometimes known as ‘Runner’s Knee,’ is a condition in which the cartilage between the patella (kneecap) and the femur breaks down or gets injured. This can be caused by age or natural joint wear and strain. However, it can also be caused by recurrent stress, or a lack of stability caused by weaker muscles around the joint.
Patellar dislocation occurs when the tendons that hold the patella in place are torn, allowing the kneecap to slip out of its normal position.
Patellar fractures occur when the knee is subjected to blunt force trauma. This injury might be caused by a fall, a car accident, or an impact from a contact sport.
Other common causes of knee pain include:
Patellar Tendonitis, often known as ‘Jumper’s Knee,’ is an inflammation of the tendon that joins the kneecap to the shin bone caused by overuse or repetitive injuries. As the name implies, this injury is particularly frequent in athletes participating in jumping sports such as track & field and gymnastics.
Torn Ligament – The ligaments in the knee restrict rotation as well as forward and backward mobility. The MCL is the damaged of the two collateral ligaments. This ligament is commonly injured by a hit to the outside of the knee. This is a common injury in contact sports including hockey, football, and martial arts. The ACL is the more often damaged of the two cruciate ligaments. The injury is frequently caused by the knee twisting when the foot is firmly planted in a locked posture. This is a frequent injury in numerous sports, including football, basketball, and soccer. Multiple torn ligaments are conceivable depending on the nature and degree of the injury.
Torn Meniscus – This injury happens when the knee is twisted violently while bearing weight, such as when pivoting on the knee to change direction quickly. These rips grow more prevalent as you age as your cartilage deteriorates, but they are also common among sports.
Some of the above-mentioned issues may necessitate surgical correction, depending on the type of the damage and the severity of the condition. Most patients, however, will benefit from chiropractic treatment for knee pain as an alternative to or as part of rehabilitative physical therapy.
Knee Pain Chiropractic Treatment
Chiropractic medicine is an integrated regenerative medicine approach that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of neuromuscular disorders by manual adjustment and/or manipulation of the joints and spine. When it comes to knee discomfort, it may be required to make modifications in seemingly unconnected areas of the body. Adjustments in regions like the back and hips can often help rectify underlying problems that led to your injury. However, chiropractic therapy for knee discomfort goes beyond simply realigning your bones.
At Primary Health Center Chiropractic, we treat the entire patient. We realize that factors such as nutrition and exercise routine, as well as family and medical history, all have a role in pain. Your chiropractor will do an interview with you and evaluate your knees to establish what causes are causing your discomfort. They may also suggest lifestyle adjustments to alleviate your discomfort, restore mobility, and assist avoid future damage.
A chiropractor may also recommend additional types of pain management and treatment to help you heal. Specific exercises to strengthen supporting muscles may aid in maintaining proper alignment and improving stability. Stretching and massage may also help to enhance flexibility and range of motion. Traction can help ease pain and pressure in the spine. Some of these strategies may be more relevant for your problem than others. Your chiropractor will go through all of your options with you in order to determine the ideal one for you.
Call Primary Health Center Chiropractic at (703) 354-8111 to learn more about chiropractic therapy for knee pain. Today, one of our qualified physicians is waiting to chat with you!