The first total knee replacement was performed in the late 1960s and the surgery has become one of the most successful procedures in orthopedics. Authors estimate up to 600,000 total knee replacements are performed each year to reduce pain and improve function in patients with knee arthritis. Many of these patients will undergo both pre...
The knee is a vulnerable joint at times due to its’ location adjacent to the two long levers of our thigh and leg bones. The length of the levers allows the ankle and hip to exert a high amount of forces across the knee. The importance of treating these adjacent joints in patients with knee...
Patellofemoral pain syndrome (pain around the knee cap) is the most frequent cause of knee pain and the most common diagnosis seen in sports medicine and physical therapy clinics. The condition is often the result of a change in the dynamic alignment of the leg and knee joint during functional activities such as squatting, stair climbing,...
Exercise prescription including type of exercise, reps, sets, frequency, and intensity varies between each patient with knee pain. Many factors influence this prescription including knee diagnosis (arthritis vs. patellofemoral pain), patient function and symptoms, as well as, the available medical evidence supporting the use of exercise to both reduce pain and improve function. A recent...
Similar to Sasquatch and the Loch Ness Monster science may also be putting another myth to rest. In our previous posts, we have written on the lack of data supporting the idea running leads to wear and tear or arthritis. In fact, some research has shown running may have a protective effect on joints with...
Patellar tendonitis (tendinopathy) is common among jumping athletes requiring repetitive jumping, landing, and squatting movements. This overuse injury was thought to have a inflammatory component (ex. tendonitis) but more current research supports the term tendinopathy. This term indicates a disruption in tendon fiber characteristics and alignment leading to a loss of its’ tensile strength. Resting...
Patellofemoral Pain (pain under the knee cap) is the most common source of knee pain among active individuals and athletes. Symptoms are secondary to increased joint pressure between the knee cap and thigh during walking, hiking, squatting, kneeling, cycling or running. Most commonly this diagnosis is secondary to muscle imbalances including hip and knee weakness...
Knee arthritis is a common and costly condition affecting many middle aged adults and is a leading cause of pain and disability in this patient group. Thankfully conservative Physical Therapy interventions such as manual therapy and exercise have been shown to be effective at reducing pain, disability, and even delaying or preventing the need for...
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (pain on the front the knee and around knee cap) is the most common source of knee pain among active individuals. Patients often complain of pain with running, stair climbing, squatting, and during prolonged sitting. The natural history of this diagnosis is not as short as once thought with 90% of patients...
The ankle plays a critical role in the ability of the knee to stay over the foot during functional tasks such as walking, running, and stair climbing. Under normal conditions the mobility of the ankle allows the leg to move forward over the weight bearing foot. If this range of motion is limited, the leg...