Posts Tagged ‘knee pain’
Change Your Posture, Get Rid of Your Knee Pain
Besides spinal conditions, knee pain and disability is one of the most widespread dysfunctions of the musculoskeletal system. Conditions concerning the knee can be divided into several classes including improper mechanics of the knee and faulty foot mechanics that compensate for foot pain, frequent overuse of the knee joint, inflammation due to arthritic changes in the joint, and traumatic injury from events such as sports and falls.
Non-trauma knee problems: The most prevalent cause of non-traumatic pain is insufficient mechanics of the knee joint and the related stress on the soft tissues of the knee. Usually, the part of the knee implicated is the patella or knee-cap. Often the patella does not move smoothly or does not move sufficiently on the femur during bending of the knee producing too much stress on the tendons, cartilage and ligaments. This specific condition is often called chondromalacia patella (CMP) or Patella Femoral Syndrome (Knee Cap Pain). This problem is due to imbalances in the quadriceps muscles of the thigh that connect to and move the patella. Imbalances in the muscles related to knee movement frequently begin from lower back ailments, particularly in the sacroiliac joint. Imbalances in muscle groups that join to the knee can also lead to pain and dysfunction. For example, pain on the medial or inside of the knee occurs when the muscles on the insides of the thigh are strained and rigid. Mechanical knee pain is also produced by gait deviations such as pronation.
Evidence of overuse includes pain during activities such as climbing stairs, running, jumping, as well as pain upon rising after prolonged sitting. Some women are likely to be predisposed to painful overuse conditions for anatomical reasons, however such conditions are frequently caused by wearing high heels on a regular basis.
It is important to re-establish proper muscle balance, restore appropriate motion to the patella and other knee joints, and to correct any subluxations of the sacroiliac joints and bones of the foot. In certain cases, a brace is used to aid with the alignment of the patella or to stabilize the joint. Chiropractors, such as your chiropractor, are ideally trained to provide knowledgeable assessment and management of these conditions.
Knee problems due to trauma: Traumatic injuries commonly occur during sports that involve running and jumping, especially. When the knee is pulled or contorted beyond the strength of the ligaments that hold the joint together, tearing of these tissues can happen creating a sprain. The muscles that facilitate movement of the knee can also be torn during injury creating a strain or pull of the muscle. As with a sprain, a muscle strain can range from a slight injury that requires little care to a extreme injury necessitating surgery. The knee also has two special “cartilages” – the menisci – between the tibia and the femur that allow fluid mobility and cushioning. These cartilages can also be torn during trauma, and commonly require surgical repair, or even removal if damaged severely.
Traumatic knee injuries can cause serious pain and swelling and need prompt diagnosis and treatment. In most instances a qualified chiropractor, such as your Chiropractor, can manage these conditions, but there are some injuries that require the craft of an orthopedic surgeon. In any event, it is vital to stabilize the injured joint as soon as possible and to ice the injured area, if possible, until the injury can be examined.
Conditions such as poor mechanics and problems due to overuse, as well as traumatic injuries, need to be fixed at an early stage. If not, the tissues of the knee joint, especially the cartilage, will start to erode. As a result the bones will rub on one another, and changes such as bone spurs can take place. This painful problem, known as degenerative joint disease or osteoarthritis, is commonly progressive with age. Usual treatment may involve medications such as NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Nevertheless, there are natural anti-inflammatory supplements that are very effective such as rosemary, glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, bioflavinoids, curcumin. Conservative treatment, such as chiropractic, can be extremely beneficial in reducing the pain. Your San Jose chiropractor is very knowledgeable about anti-inflammatory supplements. In addition, sufferers can often assist themselves by keeping their weight down, doing exercises (especially in the pool), and wearing cushioned shoes or insoles.