Knee Pain Treatment

The knee is one of the most commonly injured joints in the body. It bears significant load during walking, running, and stair climbing, and its function depends heavily on the strength and coordination of the muscles above and below it — particularly the quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, and calf muscles.

Common knee conditions include patellofemoral pain syndrome (anterior knee pain), meniscus tears and degeneration, ligament sprains (ACL, MCL), patellar tendinitis, and osteoarthritis. Knee pain can also be driven by hip weakness, foot mechanics, or training errors that place abnormal stress on the joint.

Physical therapy is the first-line treatment for most knee conditions and has been shown to produce results equivalent to surgery for many common diagnoses, including degenerative meniscus tears and mild to moderate osteoarthritis.

Our approach addresses not just the knee itself, but the entire lower extremity chain that influences knee function:

• Quadriceps and hip strengthening — The most critical component for nearly all knee conditions, building the muscular support that protects the joint
• Patellar mobilization — Manual techniques to improve kneecap tracking and reduce anterior knee pain
• Manual therapy — Joint mobilization and soft tissue work to restore full range of motion
• Neuromuscular training — Balance and coordination exercises to improve knee stability during functional activities
• Gait and movement analysis — Identifying and correcting movement patterns that overload the knee
• Taping and bracing — When appropriate, to provide additional support during activity

Your evaluation includes specific tests to identify which knee structures are involved, strength testing of the quadriceps, hamstrings, and hip musculature, assessment of patellar tracking, and gait and functional movement analysis.

Most patients with knee pain begin feeling improvement within three to four weeks of consistent treatment and exercise. A typical course of care runs six to ten sessions, with emphasis on building a home strengthening program that provides long-term joint protection.

For patients with knee osteoarthritis, we focus on building an ongoing exercise routine that manages symptoms and maintains joint health. Research clearly shows that appropriate exercise is the single most effective intervention for knee osteoarthritis — more effective than medication, injections, or supplements.