Managing Knee Pain

Knee pain can range from mild discomfort during specific movements to unbearable pain even at rest. For assessment purposes, it is important to determine whether the pain occurs during movement, which particular movements provoke it, how long it takes to settle, or whether it persists at rest and for how long. It is also important to establish whether there is any night pain and how long it lasts. Knee pain may have the following characteristics:

• Sharp

• Knife-like

• Throbbing

• Burning

• Electric shock-like

• Superficial

• Deep

• Mild

• Dull

• Constant

• Intermittent

When knee pain appears, the immediate steps to take are:

• Rest the leg and avoid the activity that causes the pain

• Rest with the leg elevated on a chair or a pillow

• Apply ice to the knee, over the painful area, for 15–20 minutes, 2–3 times per day (the ice should be wrapped in a towel)

• Gentle stretches of the hip, knee, and foot help maintain the flexibility of the leg

Assessment by a Physiotherapist is essential to identify the affected structures and to rule out, or confirm, the coexistence of other conditions that present with similar symptoms, such as:

• Patellar Tendinopathy

• Patellofemoral Syndrome

• Anterior Cruciate Ligament Rupture

• Medial or Lateral Collateral Ligament Rupture

• Posterolateral Corner Injury

• Posteromedial Corner Injury

• Meniscus Tear

Assessment by Orthopaedic Manipulative Physiotherapist Mr Konstantinos Danalis is carried out through a thorough case history, clinical tests, and a trial treatment that follows.

The priority is to reduce pain, which in some patients can be extremely severe. This is achieved through a combination of treatment options, such as specialist massage and the application of electrotherapy, which will reduce pain in every case. The knee is then mobilised using specialist exercises. Gradually, as range of movement increases, strengthening, balance, and proprioception exercises are introduced. The interventions used include:

• Stretching and flexibility exercises to increase elasticity

• Dynamic stability and strengthening

• Orthopaedic Manipulative Physiotherapy to reduce pain and improve flexibility

• Electrophysical agents such as diathermy, cryotherapy, and electrotherapy, to reduce pain and inflammation

• TECAR for deep tissue heating and to accelerate recovery

Athanasia A.

Mr Danalis is a truly professional practitioner who gives the necessary attention to the patient and their problem. Most importantly, the quality and effectiveness of the treatment is outstanding — creative and above all results-driven. I recommend him wholeheartedly.

Erifyli S.

Mr Danalis knows his field very well and devotes a great deal of personal attention to his patients! He has a positive attitude and has helped me enormously!! I trust him completely and recommend him without reservation.

Giota S.

He knows his subject very well, spent a great deal of time on my problem, and truly earned my trust! I will definitely recommend him!

To prevent knee pain in chronic conditions, a monthly programme is required, which includes:

• Orthopaedic manipulative massage

• A structured exercise programme

More advice on prevention and self-management can be found at the links below:

• Recomendations for Patients by American Physical Therapy Association

• Recomendations for Patients by American Physical Therapy Association

• Recomendations for Patients by American Physical Therapy Association

• Recomendations for Patients by American Physical Therapy Association

• Recomendations for Patients by American Physical Therapy Association

• Recomendations for Patients by American Physical Therapy Association

• Recomendations for Patients by American Physical Therapy Association

The cost of treatment is not high. Typically, 6 sessions are required, during which the treatment programme is adjusted each time to suit the patient's current condition. Once symptoms have settled, a structured exercise programme is introduced to prevent any recurrence. The programme is provided to the patient electronically so they can follow it independently, with the option of online supervision at a low cost. The patient has the ongoing support and communication they need with the Physiotherapist in order to address any difficulties.

If you have Knee Pain, call PhysioDanali today for specialist advice from your Physiotherapist!

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Logerstedt DS, Snyder-Mackler L, Ritter RC, Axe MJ, Godges JJ; Orthopaedic Section of the American Physical Therapist Association. Knee stability and movement coordination impairments: knee ligament sprain. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2010 Apr;40(4):A1-A37. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2010.0303. PMID: 20357420; PMCID: PMC3158982.

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