MCL sprains or tears are the most common ski-related knee injury, accounting for up to 20% of all ski injuries and 60% of all ski-related knee injuries. An MCL injury can occur while skiing when pressure or hard contact from a collision or fall impacts the outside of the knee, straining or tearing the ligament. Physical therapy is the preferred treatment for the majority of MCL injuries, restoring function, mobility, stability, and strength to the MCL and knee joint through a targeted therapeutic exercise program.

Osgood-Schlatter disease is an inflammatory condition of the knee caused by repetitive trauma to the patellar tendon during growth spurts that is common among active adolescents. Osgood-Schlatter disease is a common cause of knee pain in growing and active pre-teens and teens, affecting 1 in 10 adolescents. Osgood-Schlatter disease can be managed conservatively and effectively with physical therapy. Physical therapy can help teens with OS ease pain, increase muscle strength, and restore function for a safe return to sport.

Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is the most common type of knee pain, causing pain around and under the kneecap. PFPS is prevalent among runners, cyclists, and young athletes as repetitive movements like running, jumping, or squatting can lead to chronic overuse of the knee and the development of PFPS. Physical therapy is highly effective in treating patellofemoral pain syndrome, using targeted exercise, stretching, and manual therapy to improve knee function and mobility and reduce pain.

Swimmer’s knee is caused by repetitive strain on the knee ligaments, particularly the MCL, when performing the breaststroke. Pain in the MCL develops due to the repetitive flexion-extension, adduction, and external rotation of the knee against the water when completing the breaststroke. When doing the breaststroke, 70% of the propulsion of the stroke comes from the legs and knees, placing significant stress on the knees. Physical therapy can alleviate swimmer’s knee pain and restore movement and function in the knee safely through a targeted therapeutic exercise and manual therapy rehabilitation program.

Check out our April 2023 Newsletter, highlighting the importance of prehabilitation before surgery, return to throwing using the rebounder, the role of nutrition after joint replacement surgery, and preventing knee pain during spring gardening.

As we step into spring, many of us are planning and starting our gardens, weeding, raking, and preparing for planting. Gardening has numerous health benefits: building strength, promoting sleep, boosting mood, and getting quality sunshine and Vitamin D. However, gardening does place stress and strain on joints and muscles when digging, planting, weeding, mulching, and raking, particularly the knee. Gardener’s knee is a common gardening-related injury that involves inflammation, swelling, and pain in the bursa at the front of the kneecap. To prevent knee pain when gardening, check out our gardening injury prevention tips!

Check out our February 2023 Newsletter, highlighting addressing gait dysfunction with physical therapy, tips for managing swelling after injury, physical therapy for spondylolysis, and chronic knee pain causes & treatments.

Chronic knee pain, which affects one in four Americans, can be debilitating and limit your function and mobility. Chronic knee pain involves ongoing pain, swelling, and sensitivity in the knee that lasts more than 4-6 months and can result from a traumatic injury that healed incorrectly or from medical conditions like osteoarthritis. Physical therapy can help you manage chronic knee pain long-term without the need for surgery to reduce pain and improve your mobility and function.

Meniscus tears are one of the most common sports injuries and most frequent knee injuries. The meniscus can tear during any movement that puts excessive pressure on the knee or pushes the meniscus past its normal rotational range of motion, such as when twisting, squatting, or making quick positional changes. Physical therapy can help those experiencing meniscus tears facilitate optimal healing, restore full functionality, and achieve complete recovery through targeted strengthening and extensive rehabilitation should surgery be necessary, for a safe return to sport and activity.

Knee bursitis involves inflammation of one or more bursae of the knee joint, causing pain, swelling, and limited mobility in the knee. Bursae are fluid-filled sacs that serve as cushions to reduce friction between bone and skin or bone and tendon. Knee bursitis can develop from a direct blow to the knee or from repetitive stress movements or pressure on the knee over time. Physical therapy for knee bursitis can help reduce pain, swelling, and stiffness in the knee and restore mobility in the knee through targeted therapeutic exercise and manual therapy.

Medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) injury involves a strain or tearing of the MPFL, typically due to a traumatic kneecap dislocation. The MPFL is a ligament located on the inside of the knee joint, connecting the kneecap and thighbone and providing stability to the kneecap. Physical therapy helps those with MPFL injuries restore knee strength and function and provides post-surgery rehabilitation if surgery is necessary.

Hiking is a fun outdoor activity to engage in with family and friends throughout the summer and has numerous health benefits. However, hiking can be arduous, placing significant physical stress on the body as you navigate varied terrain and high temperatures. Check out our tips for preventing common hiking injuries like knee pain, ankle sprains, and heat exhaustion and what to do to ensure a safe hike this summer!

The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) works together with the ACL to stabilize the knee during movement. The PCL is located near the back of the knee joint and attaches to the back of the femur and tibia behind the ACL. PCL injuries are less common than ACL injuries but can occur due to blunt trauma during a sport or car accident or extreme hyperextension of the knee. Physical therapists can help those with PCL injuries and those healing after PCL surgery manage pain and stiffness, address instability, and restore function and strength to the knee through a progressive rehabilitation program.

Patellar tendinitis is a chronic overuse injury involving inflammation of the patellar tendon that is common in basketball, volleyball, and soccer players. Patellar tendinitis can develop due to repetitive running and jumping, sudden and frequent deceleration and acceleration, and training on hard surfaces. Physical therapy can help athletes with patellar tendinitis regain strength, function, and mobility in the knee. Check out our infographic to learn more!

The patellar tendon connects the kneecap to the top of the shinbone and plays a key role in extending your knee. Patellar tendinitis involves inflammation or injury to the patellar tendon often due to repetitive stress and chronic overuse among athletes. It is particularly common among athletes who engage in repetitive jumping, squatting, and running, such as basketball, soccer, and volleyball players, dancers, and weightlifters. Physical therapy can help athletes address patellar tendinitis and regain strength, function, and mobility in the knee through a gradual targeted strengthening exercise program.

Are you unsure what to expect after total knee replacement surgery? Check out our blog to learn what to expect throughout the rehabilitation process post-knee replacement! Total knee replacement surgery is a major surgery that requires careful preparation and an effective post-surgical rehabilitation program to ensure pain-free function and mobility of the joint. Physical therapists play a critical role in pre-surgery preparation and post-knee replacement rehabilitation, helping you improve mobility, decrease stiffness, manage pain, and gradually and safely restore function and range of motion in your new knee.

Iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS) is a common overuse injury among runners and cyclists in which the IT band becomes inflamed and painful due to repetitive stress on the IT band. The IT band is a thick band of connective tissue that extends from the pelvis to the tibia, connecting to the outside of the tibia just below the knee. Physical therapists can treat IT band syndrome to lessen pain, restore movement, and return to activity and sport safely through targeted strengthening, gait training, manual therapy, and functional training.

On World Arthritis Day, we are explaining physical therapy treatment for knee osteoarthritis. Knee osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease characterized by knee pain, stiffness, and decreased strength. Physical therapists can help to reduce knee osteoarthritis symptoms, slow the progression of the disease, and create a customized, comprehensive program of exercise and manual therapy to help knee osteoarthritis patients move safely and improve function, strength, and range of motion in the knee joint.

Check out our October 2021 Newsletter that highlights the benefits of work conditioning, tips to avoid raking injuries this autumn, debunking common myths about knee pain, our fall donation drive for kid’s toys, and celebrating National Physical Therapy Month!

The season of autumn brings spectacular fall foliage. However, once the vibrant beauty of the colorful leaves fades, we are left with the job of raking and bagging enormous amounts of leaves. Weekly leaf raking can take a toll on your body, particularly if you are engaging in incorrect biomechanics that strain your back, neck, and shoulders. Check out our tips to help you avoid injury when raking this fall!