Knee Pain Treatment in Birmingham & Warwickshire
Promoting A New Standard Of Clinical Excellence In The Diagnosis & Treatment Of Knee Pain.
Knee pain is a common musculoskeletal condition that affects a significant portion of the population in the United Kingdom. It can impair mobility, restrict participation in daily activities, and lower overall quality of life.Â
Approximately 20% to 30% of adults experience knee pain annually.
Knee pain is the fourth most common musculoskeletal issue, following back, Â neck, and shoulder pain.
The lifetime prevalence of knee pain ranges from 30% to 50%, meaning that nearly one in three people will experience knee-related discomfort at some point.
The probability of developing knee pain increases significantly after the age of 50 due to degenerative changes in the joint structures.
Obesity is a major risk factor, as excess body weight places additional mechanical stress on the knee joints, accelerating cartilage wear.
Individuals engaged in high-impact sports, such as running, football, and cycling, have an increased likelihood of experiencing knee injuries, including ligament tears and meniscal damage. Although, there is good evidence that involvement in sport throughout life guards against Osteoarthritis (wear & tear) of the knee.
Common Causes Of Knee Pain.
Musculoskeletal knee pain can arise from various structures, including muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, and nerves. It is essential to differentiate between different causes to provide appropriate treatment and management. Some common causes of musculoskeletal knee pain include:
ACL Tear –Â Common in sports, happens with sudden twisting or stopping, may hear a “pop,” swelling appears quickly, and the knee feels unstable.
PCL Tear –Â Â Can occur in car accidents or falls, pain at the back of the knee, and difficulty walking.
MCL Tear –Â Often caused by a force hitting the outer knee, pain and swelling on the inner side.
LCL Tear –Â Less common, occurs when force is applied to the inner knee, causing pain on the outer side.
Lateral & Medial Meniscal Tear –Â Can happen with twisting movements, causes pain, swelling, clicking, or locking of the knee.
Patellar Fracture (Broken Kneecap) –Â Usually due to direct impact, difficulty straightening the knee.
Tibial Plateau Fracture (Shin Bone Fracture Near the Knee) –Â Occurs with a hard fall or accident, severe swelling, and pain with walking.
Femur Fracture (Thigh Bone Near the Knee) –Â High-impact injury, severe pain, and swelling.
Kneecap Dislocation –Â The kneecap moves out of place, often to the side, causing immediate pain and difficulty straightening the leg.
Patellar Tendon Rupture –Â The tendon below the kneecap tears, making it hard to straighten the leg.
Quadriceps Tendon Rupture –Â The tendon above the kneecap tears, causing pain and weakness.
Osteoarthritis (Joint Wear and Tear) –Â Common in older adults, causes gradual pain and stiffness, especially in the morning or after activity. The knee may make a cracking noise.
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (Pain Around the Kneecap) –Â Often seen in runners and people who sit for long periods. Pain worsens with stairs, squatting, or sitting for too long.
Iliotibial Band Syndrome (Outer Knee Pain from Repetitive Use) –Â Pain on the outer side of the knee, often seen in runners and cyclists.
Patellar Tendinitis (“Jumper’s Knee”) – Common in athletes who jump often, causes pain at the front of the knee.
Pes Anserine Bursitis (Inner Knee Pain)Â – Pain on the inside of the knee, often seen in people who run or climb stairs frequently.
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) – The body’s immune system attacks the joints, leading to swelling, warmth, pain, and stiffness that lasts over an hour in the morning.
Gout –Â Sudden, severe pain with redness and swelling, often affecting the big toe but can occur in the knee.
Pseudogout –Â Similar to gout but linked to calcium deposits in the joint, often affecting the knee.
Septic Arthritis (Infected Joint) –Â Serious condition caused by bacteria in the joint, leading to rapid swelling, extreme pain, fever, and redness. Needs urgent medical attention.
Meralgia Paraesthetica (Nerve Irritation in the Thigh) –Â Burning or tingling pain on the outer thigh, sometimes mistaken for knee pain, caused by a pinched nerve near the hip.
Consultation & Diagnosis of Knee Pain.
Understanding your knee Pain.
After your Consultation and Diagnostic Service Appointment, your clinician will carefully review the findings from your case and develop a personalised treatment or management plan for your condition. When you return to the clinic, we will sit down with you to thoroughly discuss our conclusions. During this discussion, we will provide:
A Diagnosis: Clearly explaining your knee pain and its potential underlying causes / contributions.
A Prognosis: Offering an understanding of how your knee pain is likely to progress and the expected recovery timeline.
A Treatment Plan: If we determine that your knee pain is suitable for management within our clinic, we will outline the proposed approach.
- What we can do to help.
- What you will be able to do, in order to help yourself.
- What results you can expect.
- The rate at which you can expect these results.
- What this result will cost you in time and money. ‘We aim to make all costs involved in the management of your case known to you from the outset.’
- If we feel that your complaint would be better managed by another clinician, the appropriate referral to that clinician will be made without delay.
Safe & Effective Treatment Of knee Pain.
Our treatments typically include a comprehensive range of gentle, evidence-based conservative care procedures.
Each patient’s care plan is personalised, taking into account their unique needs, preferences, and circumstances. We recognise that some patients may feel apprehensive about treatment, and we are committed to providing comfort and reassurance throughout the process. The care we provide includes, but is not limited to:
- Spinal mobilisation
- Peripheral joint manipulative therapy
- Peripheral joint mobilisation
- Nerve mobilisation
- Pacing & graded exposure
- Postural & lifestyle advice
- Myofascial therapy (soft tissue work)
- Orthotic & splint prescription
- Cognitive behavioural therapy
- Pain education
- Rehabilitative exercise management:
- Strength & endurance training
- Movement pattern training
- Postural exercise
- Flexibility exercise
- Balance training
- Graded motor imagery
Who Should I See? Chiropractor Physiotherapist, Osteopath, or Podiatrist?
For the treatment of knee pain, or any other spinal problem we would probably suggest that you see one of our Chiropractors or Osteopaths, over a Physiotherapist or Podiatrist.
However, that said, each of these professions are essentially conservative (non-surgical) musculoskeletal care professions, and all can play a role in the diagnosis and treatment of knee pain.
