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KNEE JOINT DYSFUNCTION |
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 The
knee is a functional joint for walking, climbing and sitting activities.
Knee joint is a weight-bearing joint, so is more likely to get
wear and tear.
There are three bones in knee joint - thighbone (Femur), shinbone
(Tibia), and kneecap (Patella), which are supported by ligaments
and muscular attachments. In between these two long bones there
are menisci, which act as shock absorbers.
WHAT CAUSES KNEE PAIN?
| 1. |
Traumatic: Vehicular accidents, violent blow
or fall …can cause fracture, dislocation, and soft tissue
injury. |
| 2. |
Arthritis: Aging process - osteoarthiritis,
rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile arthritis. |
| 3. |
Deformities: Congenital deformities (present
from birth) bow legs, knock-knees. |
| 4. |
Infection: Tubercular arthritis, septic arthritis. |
| 5. |
Sports injury: Ligaments injury, meniscal injury. |
| 6. |
Postural: poor postural habits or occupational
stress etc. |
| 7. |
Obesity: is the root cause of knee pain |
SYMPTOMS
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Pain - In and around the knee joint. It may
vary from dull aching pain to sharp, stabbing pain. Sometimes
pain occurs below the knee i.e. shin bone, calf pain etc. |
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Swelling : Around the knee joint, sometimes
also seen in the ankle. |
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Stiffness: More in the morning. Generally it
reduces or wears off with movement. |
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Crepitus: Crackling sound, which comes on movement,
while bending, squatting or walking. |
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Difficulty in walking, climbing stairs, squatting,
sitting cross-legged. |
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On your first visit the physiotherapist
will take medical history to find out area and type of pain, conduct
a physical examination, advise investigations as necessary.
Treatment:
Diathermy, Long-wave therapy, Ultrasonic,
TENS, LASER therapy, Medium Frequency Currents.
Exercises play very important role in rehabilitation of fracture
cases and ligament injuries. Tailor made exercises should be given
for mobility and strengthening of the bones and muscles.
Manual Therapy:
Manipulation and mobilization is beneficial
for pain relief.
New technique of Taping gives mechanical support that helps pain
relief while walking.
Knee braces may be helpful. Post-operative physiotherapy should
be started as early as possible.
Post-operative Rehabilitation:
After arthroscopy or total knee replacement
or other surgery, physiotherapy must be started early to mobilize
the joint, increase strength of the muscle power, early ambulation
etc Gait training and postural education:
Poor posture leads to stress and imbalance.
It acts as a predisposing factor for the knee pain. Proper gait
training helps in reducing the load in the knee joint.
Orthotics:
Knee braces are helpful, but should not
be worn the whole day. The physiotherapist selects the required
knee brace after a complete evaluation. Modification of the footwear
also helps to reduce the knee pain. Walking stick is advised in
severe arthritic cases. |
