Introduction

Ten to fifteen percent of adults report knee symptoms in a general setting and knee pain accounts for approximately three to five percent of all visits to medical physicians. Knee pain can be caused by trauma, misalignment, and degeneration as well as by conditions like arthritis.  Non-traumatic knee disorders generally take one of two forms. One type involves a tissue-related problem that creates pressure and irritation in the knee between the patella and the trochlea, causing pain in the patient. The second class of knee disorders involves a tear, slippage, or dislocation that impairs the structural ability of the knee to balance the leg.  This may cause either pain, a sense of poor balance, or both in a patient.

How it Happens

The knee is an intricate joint consisting of multiple structures that have to distribute forces from the ground up through the body, as well as from the upper body down through the leg. As a result, there are many different reasons and causes of knee pain, and the pain can be in several different places throughout the knee.

Most knee pain results not because the knee itself, but from some other part of the body. For instance, a tight ITl band, hip flexors, or quadriceps muscles, dominant hamstrings or quads, or weak hip rotators can all contribute to excessive stress and strain being transferred to your knees.

Conditions:

Pain in the front of the knee

• Above the knee - pain from quadriceps muscle strain and quad tendon inflammation, often from activities where the knees come past the toes, as with poor squatting technique.
• Below the kneecap - the source of pain is the patellar tendon, which connects the knee cap to the top of the lower leg.
• Underneath the knee cap - pain from excessive compression of the knee cap and from arthritic changes underneath the knee cap.

Pain in the back of the knee

• Pain can be to the inside, middle, or outside, often due to hamstring or calf muscle tendon involvement or poor joint mobility, especially when bending the knee.

Pain in the inside of the knee

• Pain can be due to tendinitis from the groin muscles and where the tendon inserts. It also can be due to ligament strain of the medial collateral ligament or irritation to the medial meniscus.

Pain in the outside of the knee

• Pain can be due to tendinitis, often from a tight IT band. It also can be due to ligament strain of the LCL or irritation of the lateral meniscus.

Treatment

Initial Treatment

• Apply ice applications for 15-20 minutes, 3-4 times a day.
• Aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen and naproxen may relieve pain and reduce inflammation.
• Compress the knee joint with an elastic wrap if inflammation and swelling are present.
• Use a pillow to elevate the knee while at rest and during the night.
• Rest until symptoms diminish, which could take several days or several weeks.
• See a doctor if the pain is severe or if the pain persists for two weeks.

Long Term Strategy

Go to a chiropractor or physical therapist to receive instruction on exercises that can help you recover from the knee pain.

Make an Appointment

By Phone

Call us at (858) 452-3734 and our helpful front office staff will be happy to assist you in making an appointment with Doctor Todd Plutchok, D.C.

E-mail Us With Your Appointment Request

You can email us with your appointment request here by emailing  DrTodd@TheSportsAndWellnessDC.com.  Just send us your Name, Email Address, and Phone Number, with your desired time.  Initial Visits normally last 45-55 minutes.  For normal clinic hours, click here.

Download New Patient Admittance Forms