Knee pain is a very common condition and is a problem that is frequently presented to physiotherapists. The overall prevalence of knee pain in the population is approximately 19%, with females having a slightly greater risk than men. The incidence of knee pain increases steadily with age.
In Australia, approximately 18% of men aged 60 years and older and 23% of women aged 60 years and older reported knee pain and the incidence increases steadily with age, with the highest prevalence of knee pain was reported in women 85 to 90 years old (approx. 30%). The severity of the pain also increases with age, and a greater percentage have pain associated with a reduced function.
Knee pain can arise both from acute injury and from wear and tear associated with day-to-day life. The cause of knee pain is often multifactorial and may involve a complex interplay of muscular, articular and neural structures.
The most common causes of knee pain are:
- Ligament strains and sprains
- Osteoarthritis
- Patellofemoral pain syndrome (anterior knee pain)
- Overuse syndromes (ITB syndrome, tendinitis, bursitis)
- Osgood-Schlatter Disease
- Fractures around the knee
- Gout
- Referred pain from the hip or lumbar spine
The Physiotherapy treatment of knee pain can involve simple joint mobilisation techniques, massage, taping, stretches or strengthening exercises, all the way through to a comprehensive rehabilitation protocol post-knee-reconstruction or post-knee-replacement and onto functional-based exercises.
Treat your pain at The Body Refinery
Physiotherapists at The Body Refinery pride themselves on taking a holistic approach to knee pain. Our Physiotherapists offer manual therapy in the early stages of treatment, right through to Pilates for functional retraining, and then into performance enhancement.
Our Physiotherapists focus on precise, loaded and progressive exercises to correct alignment and reduce excessive pressure relating to the insidious postural adaptive changes that occur in various population groups – from deconditioning amongst overweight, sedentary groups, to changes in gait or overuse amongst athletes.
Pilates ideal for progressing from rehab to function, focusing on optimising lower limb biomechanics, thereby reducing the risk of re-injury and encouraging a return to a healthy and fulfilling life. Once knee strength is restored, the knee and associated muscles are exposed to increased load and range of motion.
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Book an appointment with a Physiotherapist today on 07 3358 3915 or at info@thebodyrefinery.com.au.
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