Health blog Category: knee pain
Standing up from a comfy couch uncomfortable?
By: Rachel Herrmann, DPT
Typically, you may not always realize how much you do with your knees in an average day. However, when you start to have knee pain, then you begin to realize how big of a role your knees play in your day-to-day and leisure activities. Going up and down stairs becomes a dreaded part of the day. Getting on and off the floor when playing with your children is no longer an easy task.
Tightness or Pulling Sensations on the Outside of the Leg…
By: Kiara Holmes, ATC
Knock Knock!
Who’s there?
IT Band
IT Band who?
IT Band me from the system again and said they’re gonna keep a tight watch on me!
There’s some fun physical therapy humor for you! Today we’re going to talk about the IT band. So what is the IT band?
First of all, it has nothing to do with computers or technology. The IT band, known as the Iliotibial tract, is a band of tissue that runs from your hip to your knee.
Does sitting for a long time bother your knee joints?
By: Jason Makoutz DPT
Knee pain/injures are one of the most common injuries we see at Loudoun Sports Therapy Center. Whether they are caused from a sports/weekend warrior traumatic injury or muscular weakness/imbalances. Three of the most common ailments related to the knee are arthritis, meniscus injury, and patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS).
Common Causes of Knee Injuries
- Traumatic contact injury
- Twisting on a planted foot
- Normal ageing
- Muscular weakness
- Poor mechanics
Knee arthritis
Knee arthritis can occur from a previous injury to the joint or normal wear and tear over your lifespan.
Hear some popping or clicking when this joint is extended…
Why do knee problems occur in the first place? In order to fully understand knee problems, you need to know a little about the makeup of the knee joint. The knee joint is the junction of two major bones of your knee fitting together to form a hinge joint, like a door. The major difference between the hinge of a door and your knee joint is the way it is made. Your knee joint is made by the junction between the femur (your upper leg bone) and your tibia (your big lower leg bone).
Read full blogTrying to increase your physical activity level?
By Cierra Washington, ATC
What exactly is patellofemoral pain? Patellofemoral pain is a general term used to describe pain that resides in the front of the knee and around the kneecap, also known as the patella. Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome, PFPS, is also known as both runners’ and jumpers’ knee due to the type of athletes who commonly complain of the problem. Based on the nicknames of PFPS, most people tend to believe that it can only occur in athletes or those who participate in high intensity sports, however it can also occur in the older and more sedentary populations.
IT Band Syndrome or Lower Body Discomfort Impacting Activities
By Cierra Washington, ATC
You’ve probably heard of IT Band syndrome. But what is it exactly? Let’s start with the name. The ‘IT’ refers to the iliotibial band that runs along the outer portion of the thigh. When people refer to the IT band, they often have the misconception that it’s a muscle. Actually, the IT band is the long tendon of the tensor fascia latae (TFL). The TFL performs multiple hip functions and also helps stabilize our torsos.
Trying to avoid prescription meds or injections to alleviate discomfort
Knee pain is a very common problem which can result in difficulty with many daily activities. Injections and prescriptions are not needed! People commonly come to physical therapy with different complaints involving the knee.
SYMPTOMS:
The number one complaint is knee pain that is under or around the knee cap that can greatly limit your functional mobility.
Some people also experience stiffness in and around the knee causing difficulty moving the joint and generalized weakness in the affected leg.
Trouble bending and extending this lower extremity joint?
By Angie Austin, LPTA
Many people associate knee pain with the older population. However, we treat patients of all ages for knee pain. Whether it’s due to arthritis or an injury, it is important to know what causes that knee pain.
The knee is a large hinge joint that gives you the ability to bend and straighten your knee, which is necessary for day to day functional tasks like getting up from a chair or going up and down stairs.
Have a lack of flexibility or poor body mechanics?
Hip problems are a common complaint we treat Loudoun Sports Therapy Center and it can affect all ages and activity levels. Many hip problems are often the result of an overuse injury and can interfere with your daily activities making walking, standing or even sitting painful or challenging.
Three common hip problems are: osteoarthritis, bursitis, and tendinitis.
- Osteoarthritis happens when the cartilage in your hip joint becomes damaged from wear and tear over the years.
Ever wince with discomfort when standing up from a chair?
Hip pain is a very common problem which can cause difficulty with many daily activities. People often come to physical therapy with different complaints involving the hip. The number one complaint is pain localized to the hip joint and muscles surrounding the joint. Some people also experience stiffness in and around the hip and the lower back. This causes difficulty moving the joint and generalized weakness in the affected leg. When you are dealing with pain or stiffness in your hip, it can create difficulty performing the following activities:
- Walking
- Going up or down stairs
- Squatting
- Standing up from a chair
- Prolonged sitting
- Prolonged standing
When a patient is feeling significant stiffness in their hips, they can also start to experience difficulty with tasks such as sitting with their legs crossed, putting on shoes and socks, and getting in and out of the car.
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