Knee pain is a fairly common condition that Pain affects people of all ages and gender. This pain can range from mild discomfort to severe agony, depending on the underlying causes. As expected, knee pain can restrict mobility and function, hindering you from independently moving around and participating in your favorite activities. The worst part of knee pain is that it can prevent you from carrying out basic everyday activities, such as bathing, cooking, climbing the stairs, etc. That’s why you should consider the best ways to rid yourself of the burden that knee pain is.
This article will explain how knee pain interferes with your activities of daily living and the role Edmonton, AB physiotherapy at Revive Spine & Sports Physiotherapy Clinic plays in treating and managing this condition.
Causes of Knee Pain
Several factors cause knee pain. Some of these factors include:
- Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, and it can cause knee pain. Generally, arthritis is a degenerative condition caused by inflammation of the joints. Osteoarthritis occurs when the protective cartilage in the knee breaks down, causing the bones to rub together. The resulting friction causes the knee to become stiff, swell, and cause severe pain.
- Bursitis: Like every other joint in the body, the knees contain bursae, small fluid-filled sacs that reduce friction and cushion the pressure points between the bones, tendons, muscles, and skin near the joints. The bursae can be affected by inflammation due to overuse, infection, traumatic impacts, and other degenerative conditions. Bursitis leads to painful swelling in the knee and restricts movement.
- Tendinitis: The patellar tendon connects the kneecap to the shinbone. However, this tendon can be injured, leading to patellar tendinitis. This condition is a common overuse injury caused by repeated excessive stress that inflames the patellar tendon. Tendinitis in the knee can cause severe knee pain.
- Sprain: Ligaments are bands of tissue that connect the bones and stabilize the joints. Sprains occur when these bands of tissues are overstretched to the point that they tear. The knees contain ligaments that can become sprained due to a direct blow or twist of the knee. A knee sprain causes severe knee pain and swelling.
- Ligament injuries: Ligaments are fibrous connective tissues that connect bone to bone and provide joint stability. There are four major ligaments in the knee: the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), medial collateral ligament (MCL), and lateral collateral ligament (LCL). These ligaments support movement, rotation, and stability in the knee. However, they may become injured during physical activities, causing severe knee pain.
Other causes of knee pain include meniscus tears, osteoporosis, bone fractures, dislocation, Patellofemoral pain syndrome, etc. The most common symptoms associated with knee pain include:
- Inflammation (swelling)
- Pain that becomes heightened during movement
- Redness around the knee
- Stiffness
- A popping sensation, etc.
Impact of Knee Pain on Activities of Daily Living (ADL)
Activities of daily living refer to the essential routine tasks that individuals can perform independently. They are the fundamental skills individuals need to care for themselves without assistance. There are two types of activities of daily living – basic activities of daily living (BADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL). Basic activities of daily living refer to the skills needed to manage one’s basic physical needs. On the other hand, instrumental activities of daily living refer to the complex skills an individual needs to live independently. An individual’s inability to perform basic activities of daily living can cause a drastic reduction in their quality of life. The following are some of the activities of daily living that knee pain affects:
Mobility and Ambulation
Mobility refers to an individual’s ability to move from one position to another, while ambulation refers to the extent of the individual’s ability to move independently. Mobility and ambulation are basic activities of daily living that require the knee joint. Individuals suffering from severe knee pain may experience difficulties walking long distances, climbing a flight of stairs, standing up, and performing other activities that involve the knee joint. Therefore, knee pain can restrict an individual’s mobility and range of motion.
Personal Hygiene
This refers to keeping oneself clean and free from illness or diseases. Bathing, showering, brushing the teeth, dressing, and even using the toilet are basic daily living activities classified as personal hygiene. Severe knee pain can cause so much discomfort that individuals may find it difficult to carry out these personal hygiene activities.
Household Chores
Household chores, such as cleaning, cooking, laundry, grocery shopping, etc., require mobility and long standing, bending, and lifting periods. Individuals suffering from knee pain may find it difficult to handle all of these responsibilities because of their severe discomfort and muscle weakness.
Work
Working is an instrumental activity of daily living. However, knee pain may make it difficult for an individual to keep a job or maintain a professional life. This condition limits an individual’s work choices, as physical tasking jobs that involve long hours of standing, heavy lifting, or walking are out of the question. The discomfort from knee pain can also reduce an individual’s productivity and overall work efficiency.
Exercises and Leisure Activities
Regular exercise and leisure activities are good for the physical and mental health. However, knee pain can prevent you from participating in your favorite leisure activities. Exercise may also aggravate your knee pain, leading to further complications.
Apart from its physical effects, knee pain also produces psychological effects that are bad for an individual’s mental health. This condition can make an individual feel hopeless and frustrated, leading to depression and anxiety. People suffering from knee pain may also suffer from sleep disorders.
The Role of Physiotherapy in Managing Knee Pain
Physiotherapy is a health profession that aims to prevent, diagnose, and manage pain and disorders that affect mobility and physical function. It is concerned with optimal human movement and function. Physiotherapy is an effective knee pain treatment in Edmonton, AB. The following are some of the non-invasive techniques physiotherapists in Edmonton, AB, use to treat and manage knee pain:
- Pain management techniques, such as manual therapy, electrical stimulation, ultrasound therapy, etc, to treat and manage knee pain.
- Gait training
- Theraupetic exercises
- Lifestyle modification
- Use of assistive devices
- Education and self-management techniques
- Rehabilitation.
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Conclusion
Knee pain causes severe discomfort that may restrict mobility and physical function. Restricted mobility and physical function affect an individual’s ability to carry out basic and instrumental activities of daily living. This situation may also affect an individual’s mental health and further reduce their quality of life drastically. Therefore, seeking immediate relief from knee pain, whether through physiotherapy or considering options like a knee injection, is important to avoid severe consequences on physical and mental health. Physiotherapy is one of the most effective treatment methods that treats and manages knee pain with non-invasive techniques. If you feel discomfort in your knee joint, you should see a physiotherapist at Revive Spine & Sports Physiotherapy Clinic.
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