Knee Pain Doesn't Have To Be A Mystery

Knee pain is a common problem that can be caused by a variety of factors. Some common types of knee injuries include:

1. Meniscus Tears: These can occur during sports injuries, falls, deep squatting or twisting of the knee. The meniscus is a crescent-shaped piece of cartilage in the knee that acts as a shock absorber and helps to stabilize the joint. There are two menisci in each knee, one on the inner side of the joint (medial meniscus) and one on the outer side (lateral meniscus).

2. Ligament Injuries: These can occur when one or more of the ligaments that supports the knee joint is stretched or torn. The knee has four main ligaments: the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), the medial collateral ligament (MCL), and the lateral collateral ligament (LCL).

3. Patellar Fractures: These typically occur after a direct trauma to the knee cap, such as a car accident, fall or sports injury. Osteoporosis, a condition that weakens the bones, may increase the likelihood of fractures due to these direct traumas.

Untreated, these injuries can progress to Knee Osteoarthritis - a degenerative condition that causes the cartilage in the joint to wear away, leading to pain, stiffness, and difficulty moving the joint. It's worth noting that osteoarthritis can also develop as a result of normal wear and tear on the joint over time, without any specific injury.

If you are experiencing knee pain, it is important to seek medical attention and follow your physician’s or physical therapist's treatment recommendations. With proper treatment and rehabilitation, most people are able to find relief from knee pain and return to their normal activities.

Below are some ways to start addressing knee pain symptoms:

1. Rest: Resting the affected leg can help to reduce pain and inflammation.

2. Ice: Applying ice to the affected knee can help to reduce swelling and numb the area to reduce pain.

3. Medications: If permitted by your physician, over-the-counter pain relievers (acetaminophen) or anti-inflammatories (ibuprofen) can help to reduce your symptoms. In some cases, prescription medications may be necessary.

4. Physical Therapy: Physical therapists use a variety of techniques and therapies to help patients reduce pain, improve mobility and strength, and reduce the risk of future injuries. These may include exercise, stretching, manual therapy, and education on how to properly care for the knee.

5. Surgery: In some cases, surgery may be necessary to repair or replace the involved knee joint. This may be recommended for severe injuries or for conditions that do not respond to other forms of treatment.

If you have questions or concerns regarding your knee pain and would like to schedule a comprehensive evaluation at NSBPT with our Doctor of Physical Therapy, please give us a call at 386-957-3902!

Hyaluronic Acid (HLA) Injections

What are they?

Hyaluronic acid is a gel-like substance that occurs naturally in your joints and acts as a cushion as well as a lubricant between your bones. For patients suffering from Osteoarthritis (OA), HLA injections combined with physical therapy is a minimally invasive option to manage pain and restore function. Typically, a patient will have already attempted treatment with pain relievers without success. Did you know that HLA injections can be made from rooster or chicken combs, as well as derived from bacteria?

Understanding the process

Under the supervision of your doctor, you will receive 3-5 injections over a 3-5 week period in your knee joint. The FDA has only approved this treatment for people with OA of the knee. To maximize outcomes, physical therapy is indicated before starting HLA injections to reduce swelling, stretch tight muscles and strengthen weak muscles in gravity-minimized positions. Closed kinetic chain exercises are often contraindicated as they place undue stress on a patient's arthritic joint.

How effective are HLA injections?

This may vary from person to person and research is mixed regarding its efficacy. The more advanced the OA, the less likely the patient will have reduced symptoms. Duration of relief is also variable, from just 2 months to up to 6 months. If the only other option is a total knee replacement, HLA injections paired with physical therapy can be a good treatment approach.

Contact us at 386-957-3902 to schedule your physical therapy evaluation!

New Smyrna Beach Physical Therapy is Open! (2022)

Now Offering Physical Therapy Services to the New Smyrna Beach Community!

We are proudly serving our local residents using a variety of non-invasive procedures to restore function and reduce pain. We provide the highest level of one-on-one care and offer private treatment rooms for comfort and confidentiality.

Read on to discover 8 ways individualized physical therapy services are helping our patients:

1. Evaluation

2. Therapeutic Exercise

3. Therapeutic Activity

4. Neuromuscular Re-education

5. Gait Training

6. Soft Tissue Mobilization (STM) and Passive Range of Motion (PROM)

7. Modalities

8. Education and Self-care Management

Evaluation

During your initial visit, the evaluating physical therapist will ask you questions about your current symptoms, prior level of function, and how your condition is affecting the way you live. You will also discuss additional key information regarding your health, including a review of past medical history and current prescriptions. Next, the PT will complete a physical examination to identify impairments that may be contributing to your dysfunction. Finally, the physical therapist will develop an individualized treatment plan based on your specific needs, with expected outcomes and shared goals. You will have plenty of time to ask questions and share concerns regarding your health or medical care.

Therapeutic Exercise

At New Smyrna Beach Physical Therapy, we prescribe specific movements to address impairments which may develop in the body due to acute injury or chronic overuse. Our treatment approach does not require expensive equipment or machinery and is geared towards strengthening and stretching the appropriate parts of your body in a way that is reproduceable at home!

Therapeutic Activity

The ability to safely perform functional movement patterns such as bending, lifting, pushing, throwing, catching and squatting is vital to your health. As an outpatient clinic with an emphasis in orthopedics, NSBPT has clinicians who are experts in identifying and correcting improper body mechanics, helping you to recover and reduce your risk of future injury!

Neuromuscular Re-Education

At NSBPT, we use evidence-based practices in our therapy sessions to optimize patient outcomes, including postural correction, core stabilization and balance training. When applied appropriately, Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) can also assist with restoring muscle contraction in areas of the body that have been impacted by injury.

Gait Training

An injury - whether chronic, acute or neurological - can affect your ability to walk properly. Our skilled providers at New Smyrna Beach Physical Therapy are trained to assess your gait and provide specific feedback to encourage a more normalized walking pattern.

Soft Tissue Mobilization (STM) and Passive Range of Motion (PROM)

At New Smyrna Beach Physical Therapy, our manual therapy clinicians address tight musculature, restricted fascia or poor joint mobility by using hands-on mobilization techniques. When these problems are identified and treated using manual therapy at early stages, patients can expect better results!

Modalities

We utilize ice packs, moist heat, electrical stimulation, ultrasound and a variety of manual therapies to reduce pain and swelling and improve function. When performed in conjunction with the proper therapeutic exercise prescription, modalities can improve the overall physical therapy experience for a patient.

Education and Self-care Management

At NSBPT, we use self-care training services to help patients return to their Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) with restored function. We provide comprehensive home exercise programs and are always only a phone call or e-mail away to answer any questions patients have regarding their homework!

Come see us!

Contact us at 386-957-3902 to schedule your Initial Evaluation. We accept most major health insurance plans and offer affordable cash rates!

We are located on the second floor of the Springhill Plaza in New Smyrna Beach, FL. Our office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 am - 5 pm.