Knee arthritis is a common condition among older adults and remains one of the greatest causes of disability in our country. Consistent with many musculoskeletal conditions there remains a disconnect between imaging findings and a patient’s clinical presentation. Studies have shown many patients without knee pain can have signs of arthritis on their x rays....
Knee arthritis is most effectively treated in its’ early stages with Physical Therapy including manual therapy and exercise interventions. These interventions have been shown to reduce pain and disability, as well as, prevent or post pone the need for future knee surgery. In later stages of disease progression, knee arthritis is most effectively treated with...
ACL injury is one of the most common traumatic sports medicine injuries seen in Boulder Physical Therapy practice. For patients who elect for surgical repair post operative Physical Therapy is key to facilitating a safe return to activity and sports. Common limitations for individuals returning to activity after ACL repair include: a loss of range...
Strengthening the muscles of the hip, gluts, is a key component of rehabilitation for patients with low back pain, hip pain, and knee pain. These muscles help to optimize movement in the lower quarter improving joint mechanics and force distribution during life and recreational activities. In our Facebook posts, we have shown videos on optimizing...
Many healthy joints in the body, most commonly in the knee, present with joint noise called crepitus during range of motion testing. Crepitus can be an auditory cracking or popping sound or a sensation of grating in a joint. More concerning than joint noise is an associated sharp pain in the joint or associated locking,...
Knee arthritis is a painful condition affecting middle age to older adults. Symptoms of stiffness and joint pain lead to decreased mobility, strength, and function within this population of patients. Physical Therapy treatments consisting of manual therapy and exercise remain a first line treatment for this condition. When combined with exercise, weight loss, medication, and...
Meniscal tears are a common knee diagnosis and can occur either traumatically or gradually over time. This latter type of meniscal tear, degenerative, was previously treated with arthroscopic surgery and post operative physical therapy but more recent research has changed our practice patterns with this patient population. Specifically, research shows no benefit of surgery over...
Patellofemoral pain (PFP) is characterized by diffuse pain behind or around the patella or knee cap. It occurs when the knee is loaded and bent with activities such as: running, jumping, squatting or ascending/descending stairs. The prevalence of PFP is 22.7% in both adults and adolescents, and with the inherit link between PFP and Knee...
Patellar tendinopathy (tendonitis) is a common sports medicine overuse injury most commonly found in jumping (volleyball, basketball) athletes. This injury has been found in up to 40% of these athletes secondary to the repetitive forces applied to their tendons during their respective sports. Repetitive loading, without adequate rest, is often found to be the cause...
Patellar Tendon pain, also known as jumper’s knee, is a painful condition most commonly seen in athlete’s engaged in jumping sports such as track and field, basketball, and volleyball. Common causes of this condition include training errors (too much too soon) and underlying weakness in the quadricep and hip musculature. The gold standard of treatment...