Knee injuries, whether from sports, daily activities, or wear and tear, can significantly impact your mobility and quality of life. Conditions like ACL tears, meniscus injuries, and knee tendonitis each require specialized care. With the right physical therapy plan, you can recover and get back to doing what you love.
Understanding ACL Knee Injuries
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) stabilizes the knee by preventing the tibia from sliding forward on the femur. Injuries typically occur during sports that involve quick pivots, jumps, or changes in direction
Symptoms of an ACL Injury:
A "popping" sensation in the knee
Pain, swelling, and stiffness
Difficulty bearing weight or walking
Feeling of instability in the knee
Treatment Options:
Nonsurgical Care: For partial tears or sprains, physical therapy focuses on reducing swelling, strengthening muscles, and restoring range of motion.
Post-Surgery Rehabilitation: After surgery, therapy helps rebuild strength and stability, progressing to sport-specific exercises over 9–12 months.
About Meniscus Injuries
The meniscus is a crescent-shaped cartilage cushion on the tibial plateau that absorbs shock and stabilizes the knee joint. The medial meniscus (inside) often bears more weight and is more prone to injury than the lateral meniscus (outside).
Causes of Meniscus Injuries:
Trauma from sports or falls
Poor joint alignment
Weak surrounding muscles
The outer edges of the meniscus have better blood supply, making them more likely to heal without surgery. However, injuries to the inner portions may require surgical intervention.
How Physical Therapy Helps:
Nonsurgical Recovery: Physical therapy reduces pain and swelling, restores range of motion, and strengthens supporting muscles.
Post-Surgery Rehabilitation: After surgery, therapy focuses on eliminating swelling, restoring mobility, and strengthening the knee to prevent reinjury.
About Knee Tendonitis
Knee tendonitis, also known as jumper's knee, involves inflammation of the tendons that connect muscles to bones. The patellar tendon, which connects the quadriceps to the tibia, is particularly susceptible due to repetitive strain, poor posture, or weak surrounding muscles.
Symptoms of Knee Tendonitis:
Pain during repetitive movements, squatting, or kneeling
Tenderness and swelling along the tendon
Stiffness after periods of inactivity
How Physical Therapy Helps: Physical therapy targets the root cause of inflammation by correcting abnormal joint movements, improving posture, and strengthening muscles. Treatment includes:
Stretching and mobility exercises to reduce strain
Strengthening exercises for the quadriceps, hamstrings, and hips
Gradual return to activities to prevent recurrence
Why Choose Physical Therapy for Your Knee Injuries?
Whether you're managing an ACL tear, a meniscus injury, or knee tendonitis, physical therapy provides personalized, non-invasive care tailored to your needs. Our expert therapists will:
Assess your injury and design a customized recovery plan
Work closely with your physician for surgical or nonsurgical rehabilitation
Help you regain strength, mobility, and confidence
Take the First Step Toward Recovery:
Don’t let knee pain hold you back. Call us today to learn how our physical therapists can help you recover from ACL tears, meniscus injuries, or tendonitis. Let’s get you back to moving pain-free!
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