It’s frustrating when we have pain and don’t know what it is or what to do about it. When knee pain strikes, the effects can be debilitating. From missing out on adventures to limiting your time doing what you love, knee pain limits what we can do, and without a diagnosis it can be difficult to navigate treatment without knowing the cause. BioPed Canadian Certified Pedorthists are here to help you treat and manage knee pain, as well as work with you on the path to getting a diagnosis.
Signs and symptoms of knee pain
- Swelling
- Achy joints; a feeling of stiffness
- Sharp pain during a specific movement (usually flexion or extension) of the knee
- Throbbing sensation in the joint
- Feeling of instability during movement
- Limping during gait
The most common causes of knee pain
Arthritis – Though this condition has many forms, arthritis in all of its forms targets the joints. In the knee this is usually caused by the deterioration of the bone, resulting in the grinding of the femur on the tibia, causing increased wear and deterioration of the bones.
Treatment – Knee braces are the recommended course of conservative treatment to help reduce pain and swelling associated with arthritis during your everyday activities. Ranging from compression sleeves to off-the-shelf brace options or custom-made off-loading braces, there is a wide variety of support, stability and compression to treat the severity of the condition.
Ligament Laxity, Strains or Tears – The ligaments in the knee hold the bones of the joint together. The ACL, MCL and LCL are the most common ligaments affected. These structures hold the knee joint together and stabilize it as it moves. When they are injured due to wear and tear or trauma, these structures can become stretched or torn, resulting in pain and instability in the joint.
Treatment – Depending on severity and stage of recovery, compression sleeves to custom made knee braces for joint stabilization can be prescribed.
Meniscus Injury – The meniscus is a pad that sits between the femur and the tibia for shock absorption during gait so the bones don’t slide and grind against each other. When forces are applied to the knee incorrectly, usually in the case of injury, tears and displacement of the meniscus causes swelling and pain in the knee joint.
Treatment – Physiotherapy and knee bracing, from compression sleeves to off-loading braces, may be recommended depending on severity of displacement or tear.
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome – This is a specific overuse injury to the patellar tendon, with pain occurring just below the knee during movement. Often a patella strap is used to create a new point of pull on the tendon (below the insertion point) to reduce the use of the inflamed portion of the tendon. Strengthening the quadriceps and allowing the joint to rest can help decrease pain.
Treatment – Physiotherapy and patella strap bracing are effective treatments. Compression sleeves may also be helpful to reduce pain.
Patella Tracking Deficiencies – If there are muscular imbalances or a subluxation of the patella can cause improper tracking of the patella (kneecap) as it slides over the joint during movement.
Treatment – Physiotherapy and knee braces that have a patellar cushion or donut to help keep the patella on track and support the structures of the joint.
Biomechanical Stress – When our feet, knees, hips or back are moving abnormally, or under increased stress, our bodies compensate to offload areas of pain. When our feet overpronate (roll inward) or if they are stiff and lack the ability to absorb shock properly through the bones of the foot, that shock or medial angle at the feet can be felt higher up in the chain, particularly the knees.
Treatment – Custom made orthotics, orthopedic shoes, physiotherapy and knee bracing options are all forms of treatment to offload painful areas, reduce pain and improve the body’s overall biomechanics.
How BioPed can help
By booking an assessment with a BioPed clinician we can help assess and recommend a treatment plan to help your knees feel happy again. We carry a variety of knee brace options to help you on the path to becoming pain free. Whether from injury or a health condition affecting the knee joint, BioPed is here to help you manage your symptoms, plan treatment, and assist you in getting a diagnosis to unveil the mystery of your knee pain. Additionally, to further your understanding of what is happening in the joint, you’ll want to get a referral from a doctor for imaging or be referred to a specialist for testing and support.
