The Role of Physical Therapy in Treating Knee Injuries

Physical therapy plays a critical role in treating common knee injuries such as patella femoral syndrome and meniscus tears. Not only can a physical therapy regimen restore strength, mobility, and function, but it can also help with pain management and injury prevention.

At JAG Physical Therapy, our therapists have years of experience treating knee injuries successfully and can offer expert guidance on overcoming an injury and protecting your knee from future problems. Schedule an appointment now at your nearest JAG PT location or read further to learn more about the types of knee injuries and the physical therapy techniques used to heal them.

What Types of Injuries Can Affect the Knee?

You can injure your knee in any situation – slipping on ice, on the soccer field, or even just doing household chores. The knee joint supports your weight and is involved in almost every type of leg movement. It’s also the largest joint in the body and has several major ligaments and cartilaginous structures that can become inflamed or torn.

Some knee injuries are complex and require a lengthy recovery, physical therapy to restore function and mobility, and other treatments like surgery. Others aren’t as serious but still require rest and the appropriate treatment and rehabilitation to support healing.

Here are some of the most common types of injuries that affect the knee:

Meniscal Tear

The meniscus is a rubbery section of cartilage that cushions your knees by absorbing shock. A torn meniscus can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling. Your leg might feel unstable, or it might be difficult to fully straighten your leg.

ACL Tear

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is attached to the tibia and femur, helping to keep the knee stable. Damage to the ACL can cause swelling, pain on the outside or back of the knee, instability, and discomfort while walking.

Bursitis

Bursitis is inflammation of the bursae, or the sacs of fluid that cushion the joints. Knee bursitis usually results from overuse injury and is common among runners, wrestlers, and breaststroke swimmers. Bursitis can cause pain that gets worse when you bend the knee or at night.

Patellar Tendinitis

The patellar tendon attaches the surrounding muscles to the shin bone. It can become inflamed or damaged with excessive jumping. Patellar tendinitis, or jumper’s knee, is common among athletes who jump regularly, such as dancers, volleyball players, and gymnasts.

How Does Physical Therapy Aid in Treating Knee Injuries?

Treating a knee injury with physical therapy helps to increase mobility, restore function, and strengthen the knee.

Your physical therapist will develop a personalized treatment plan to help you recover from your injury and prevent further knee issues. If you play a sport or put regular pressure on your knee when you work, you might learn specific exercises and strategies to help you safely return to your sport or your job.

What Are Successful Rehabilitation Strategies for Knee Injuries?

Knee physical therapy can include a range of exercises, stretching, and strengthening to help reduce inflammation and support your body’s healing process.

You can expect a combination of the following rehabilitation strategies to help you recover from your knee injury:

Exercises for knee pain, such as quad sets, straight leg raises, and step-ups
Knee injury prevention exercises that strengthen the hip and knee, such as single-leg squats, skaters, and the lateral walk
Healing modalities, like ultrasound massage, electrical stimulation, and hot and cold therapy
Functional training to prepare you to return to your sport or other activity
Gait analysis and training to reduce the stress on your knees and minimize the chances of future injuries

The aim of a physical therapy program for a knee injury is to support healing while also teaching you how to prevent further knee injuries from occurring. By strengthening the knee and surrounding muscles and learning how to walk, run, and jump in ways that won’t put as much stress on your knees, you can not only recover but also improve your performance.

Recover Stronger with JAG Physical Therapy

JAG Physical Therapy offers individualized knee injury rehabilitation programs that will put you on the path to better flexibility, mobility, and strength, as well as injury prevention. Schedule your appointment now in NJ, NY, and PA to get started with better knee health.