If you’re an able-bodied person, you have your knees to thank as you carry out almost all your daily activities. You use them to get out of bed, to walk around during the day, to sit and stand, and so much more. The knee is designed to withstand millions of steps throughout your lifetime. As we take advantage of everything that our knees allow us to do, we inevitably put stress on the knee joint. It makes sense that all this stress makes the knee one of the most taxed joints in the human body.
As with most body parts, we don’t stop to appreciate them, let alone think about them, until we feel pain or discomfort. The knee joint is no exception. Knee pain can occur at any stage of life for many reasons and the onset of knee pain is a signal that there may be something wrong. Professional’s physical therapists are experienced in advanced techniques that aim to educate you on your knee pain, provide relief, and improve your quality of life. We are dedicated to providing you the tools you need to get back up on your feet and move—pain free—again!
All About the Anatomy of the Knee
Your knee is the largest joint in the human body and is made up of many important parts that, when functioning properly, allow you to move freely and without pain.
The knee joint relies on a delicate balance of components:
Bones: The femur (thighbone), tibia (shinbone), and patella (kneecap).
Ligaments: Four main bands (ACL, PCL, MCL, LCL) that connect and stabilize the bones in your knees.
Cartilage: The meniscus and articular cartilage act as a cushion and stabilizer, helping your body balance while bearing weight.
Tendons: Strong bands that connect your knee bones to muscle, acting as joint stabilizers.
Your hamstring and quadricep muscles, though they are not technically part of your knee joint, work to allow you to flex your knee and strengthen your legs. With all these moving parts, various injuries ranging from acute to chronic are all too common. Our knees are vital to movement, so taking good care of them throughout your life is key!
Signs You Need to Get Physical Therapy for Knee Pain
If you are experiencing knee pain, when can you benefit from physical therapy? The answer: Any time! The main goal of physical therapy is to improve your daily quality of life by providing care that helps decrease pain levels and increase your strength and mobility.
We recommend scheduling an evaluation if you are experiencing:
Mechanical symptoms: You feel locking, catching, or a “popping” sensation when moving the joint.
Instability: Your knee feels like it is “giving way” or buckling under your weight.
Swelling & stiffness: You have noticeable swelling or struggle to fully straighten or bend your leg.
Difficulty with stairs: You feel sharp pain behind the kneecap (patella) when going up or down stairs.
Knee pain can show up in a variety of ways and it can be tricky to identify when it is time to seek medical attention. A good rule of thumb is to seek attention as soon as the pain is noticeable, especially if it starts to interfere with your everyday activities. Addressing the issue as soon as possible is key to helping you relieve any ongoing pain and prevent potential future injuries.
Professional’s physical therapists work with you to address your specific needs and create a personalized treatment plan for your knee pain.
Most knee injuries fall under one of two categories: Gradual onset or a traumatic, sudden injury. The gradual onset conditions tend to be more of the arthritis or tendonitis conditions such as osteoarthritis, patellofemoral (kneecap) pain, and patellar tendonitis. Patients respond well to physical therapy in most cases of gradual onset or traumatic knee injuries. Professional Physical Therapists are experts deploying various methods and techniques for knee pain treatment.
Regardless of the specific diagnosis, our team creates a personalized plan to target the root cause. We specialize in treating:
In addition to these conditions, Iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS), proximal calf strain, and any number of fractures, sprains and tears of soft tissues, and dislocation, are also common.
The Physical Therapy Clinic for You
Our physical therapists will diagnose your pain or injury and customize a knee pain treatment plan just for you. We will work in an effective way to get you back on your feet, focused on your wellness before, during and after therapy.
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Insurances We Accept
Below is a condensed list of insurances we participate with throughout our network of physical therapy clinics. Find your particular provider below based on your area. For a complete listing of all insurance providers and individual plans by name: CLICK HERE FOR OUR FULL INSURANCE PAGE.
Taking into consideration the extent of your knee pain and your medical history, physical therapy may be a very effective non-surgical means of treatment. If you suffer from issues like mild to moderate osteoarthritis, patellar tendonitis, or mild to moderate hamstring injuries, physical therapy can help better your quality of life and, in some cases, it can delay or even prevent future surgical intervention.
If your knee pain is caused by an injury, muscle activation, mobility, and strength-building exercises are essential to the recovery process. Our certified physical therapists can guide you through a treatment plan targeting the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in your knee that have weakened after a period of immobility.
Physical Therapy Before and After Knee Surgery
When surgery cannot be avoided, research shows that physical therapy is a vital part of your road to recovery – both before and after your procedure.
Pre-surgery: Before a knee surgery, physical therapy allows you to strengthen your muscles, educate yourself on what to expect post-surgery, and develop a home exercise routine to prepare for the journey ahead. The stronger and more informed you are before surgery, the stronger and more assured you’ll be afterward.
Post-surgery: Post-surgery physical therapy may feel similar, with treatment targeted toward regaining strength, mobility, and flexibility to help you heal properly and recover most effectively.
treatment techniques.
Our Evidence-Based Knee Treatment Techniques
No matter the cause of your knee pain, Professional’s physical therapists will work with you to create and facilitate a safe and effective treatment plan. Below are just a few of the skills and techniques we deploy to treat chronic pain or rehabilitate you after an injury or surgery:
When it comes to ongoing knee pain treatment and injury recurrence prevention, we don’t just help you treat your knee pain one time and send you on your way. Our therapists make sure to completely educate you on the how and why of your knee pain and put you on a path to ongoing wellness and knee injury prevention.
You and your physical therapist will create a personalized ongoing wellness and prevention plan that will include:
Customized Exercise & Nutrition Program
Maintenance of HEP/Continue Conditioning Program Independently
Regular Communication with Your Provider (PT)
Postural Awareness, Symptom Recognition and Management
Physical Fitness, Health & Wellness Strategies
At Professional Physical Therapy, our mission is to improve the lives of every client as we help them get back to what moves them. We promise to remain committed to every patient. If you are suffering from knee pain, we want to help. Find the clinic nearest you⇒ to speak with a Professional Physical Therapist who specializes in knee pain today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Knee Pain
Why does my knee hurt if I didn’t injure it?
Knee pain is often “referred,” meaning the issue actually starts in your hips or lower back. If your hip muscles are weak, your knee may collapse inward with every step, causing overuse pain. Our therapists evaluate the entire “kinetic chain” to find the true source.
Can physical therapy fix a meniscus tear without surgery?
In many cases, yes. Research shows that for degenerative meniscus tears, physical therapy can be just as effective as surgery. By strengthening the muscles around the joint, we can stabilize the knee and reduce pain without invasive procedures.
Do I need a doctor’s referral for knee PT?
No. Through Direct Access, you can schedule an appointment directly with our clinic. This saves you time and helps you start relief immediately.
We provide treatments for knee pain and knee injuries from our physical therapy clinics throughout Manhattan NYC, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. Fill out the form above, or contact a clinic near you to speak with a Professional Physical Therapist and knee pain specialist today.
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