Knee pain is very common and can cause a overwhelmingly sense of discomfort. There are many causes of knee pain, ranging from injuries and overuse to medical conditions. Such medical conditions include osteoarthritis, iliotibial band friction syndrome, Patella femoral syndrome and Osgood-Schlatter disease.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis within the knee occurs due to prolonged stress on the knee joint over many years. The knee often changes its alignment to become bow-legged or knock-kneed. Treatment of severe osteoarthritis of the knee joint often involves a total knee replacement. Earlier, or more conservative, treatment of an arthritic knee involves orthotics to reduce the stress on the poorly aligned knee. This may not be a cure but it can provide great pain relief and enable a much more active life.
Illiotibial band friction syndrome
Illiotibial band friction syndrome occurs when the ITB becomes inflamed from rubbing against the thigh bone on the outside of the knee. Pain usually increases during activity. Treatment is often a two part process. The first is to have a sports physiotherapist provide deep tissue release of the ITB. Stretches are also important but the effect is less immediate than deep tissue release. The second phase of treatment is to have your podiatrist address any biomechanical faults, such as excessive pronation, that contribute to ITB friction syndrome.
Patella femoral syndrome
Patella femoral syndrome, also called runner’s knee or chondromalacia patella, occurs when the patella, or kneecap, does not track or move properly within its groove at the front of the knee joint. Pain often occurs when going up or down stairs, or when you stand up after periods of sitting. At times the knee feels like it wants to give way. The function of your feet has a huge impact on the development of patella femoral syndrome. Therefore, correction of any poor alignment or function is a large, but not exclusive, part of treatment for patella femoral syndrome. Other aspects of treatment are required to address muscular imbalances in the quadriceps, or thigh, muscles.
Osgood-Schlatter disease
Osgood-Schlatter disease, is a common condition suffered by active children between the ages of 11 and 15. It is often passed off simply as growing pains. Whilst the condition is associated with growth, it is very much a real ailment that requires careful management and treatment.
Why see a podiatrist?
Your podiatrist can assess and determine the underlying cause of your knee pain, and implement a treatment plan to relieve it. They will also assess and recommend the best shoe for your foot and lifestyle. It may be that your knee needs to be strapped or have a brace fitted to help reduce inflammation at the joint.
Another ‘fix’ for knee pain is fixing your gait which may be done with the help of orthotics or insoles. Our podiatrists are trained in designing and making custom orthotics tailored to you. For more information about orthotics and how they can help you click here.
If you have any questions about your knee pain,
go to our Contact Us page, or call us on 5441 4822
