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.

Your knees are crucial for joint for your activities of daily life. From getting up in the morning, to walking the dog and keeping up with the kids, your knees are constantly working. When your knees are in pain, simple daily tasks become difficult. Knee pain can be debilitating and limiting, but the cause can vary. From faulty biomechanics during gait to arthritis, injury and muscular imbalances, knee pain requires care and attention. We want to keep you and your knees feeling happy and healthy, so show your knees some love with BioPed Footcare’s wide range of products.

Knee sleeve

A sized compression sleeve for the knee based on measurements above and below the joint, the Ortho Sleeve gives between 15-20 mmHg compression to the joint, with the exception of the back of the knee and the kneecap for comfort. The compression keeps swelling down and increases your proprioception of the joint for better awareness, and tracking and decreased pain. It can be worn under any article of clothing including leggings and tight fitting pants for any and all activities. Handwashing is recommended as is air drying.

When to use – Achiness, mild swelling, unknown cause of pain without traumatic injury, manageable symptoms, maintenance of an old, stable injury

Over-the-counter knee braces

BioPed clinics carry an array of Bauerfeind Genutrain knee braces. These are over-the-counter fitted options, based on measurements taken by a clinician, to increase support, stability and compression to the knee joint to relieve pain. All are made of compressive knit material that hugs the knee to reduce swelling and pain while increasing proprioception. They also all feature a donut disc of cushion around the patella to maintain proper knee tracking. There are several models varying from low to high support. Our two most common are:

• Genutrain: Semi-rigid plastic supports along the the inside and outside of the leg for increased stability, knit compression sleeve, patellar donut cushion; mild stability and pain relief for general knee pain; suitable for all leg shapes and types for a wide range of activities from mild walking to sport; custom sizing available
• Genutrain S: Rigid hinged metal stability rails along the inside and outside aspectsof the joint, knit compression sleeve, patellar donut cushion; aggressive stability for alignment tracking and pain relief suitable for arthritis and more progressive knee deterioration or post injury; suitable for all levels of activity

Custom made knee braces

If you have been diagnosed with medial or lateral compartment arthritis or have a full or partial MCL, ACL or LCL tear, custom knee bracing may be the way to go. These braces are more of an exoskeleton with a rigid frame and the capacity to offload medial or lateral compartments for arthritic knees and stabilize the joint to act as those torn ligaments during the initial recovery process.

• Osskin Evoke/Provoke: The Osskin Evoke knee brace is an OA (osteoarthritis) custom knee brace designed for off loading of either the medial or lateral compartment to relieve pain and improve movement in an arthritic knee. It is also designed to be lightweight and low in profile for increased patient compliance and versatility.

The Osskin Provoke has all of the same principles with one key difference – it is designed for ligament instability as opposed to OA.

• DJO Custom braces: These are classic custom braces made by DonJoy, that we see regularly as a rigid frame from mid thigh to mid calf, hinges, usually a metal or fibreglass framework for stabilization and offloading to relieve pain for a variety of conditions.

Custom made orthotics

When knee pain is related to faulty biomechanics in the way we walk and stand, custom made orthotics can help to correct our stance and gait to offload the pressure on the knee. Recent studies have reported that people with medial compartment knee osteoarthritis have a relatively pronated foot posture. Custom made orthotics that support the natural arch, limit over pronation and control the movement of the mid foot and re-align the rear foot for a more neutral position help decrease pain by realigning the angles of the foot and knee from the ground up.

Come see us

Book an assessment online or over the phone today with your Certified Canadian Pedorthist at a BioPed near you to learn about your knee care options and get back to doing more with less knee pain!