Very often, young athletes come to our office with knee pain limiting their participation in sports, dance, and fitness activities. Several factors, including over-use from repetitive participation in sports, muscular imbalances, and malalignment, contribute to children’s knee pain. Misalignment of hips and knees can range anywhere from a weak core and hip to muscle shortness of the hamstring, quadriceps, or hip flexor. Without proper alignment, individuals continue to put excessive impact on their knees. This can result in patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS), patellar tendonitis, and pes anserine bursitis.
Growth spurts may also cause knee pain. Many times these pains may be termed ‘growing-pains’ and ignored until they become limiting. But it should not be ignored because a concerning condition called Osgood-Schlatter’s. This is a childhood injury causing a painful lump below the kneecap, is associated with the ‘growing-pains.’
So whether you or your son/daughter are experiencing knee pain it is important to seek help, especially when it is limiting participation in activities. Working with a physical therapist can address the muscle weakness/shortness, lack of lower extremity flexibility, decreased proprioception (awareness of body in space), and soft tissue restrictions contributing to knee pain.
How would physical therapy help knee pain?
Well…. Based on your hour-long evaluation, your physical therapist will design an individualized program to address any muscular imbalances. Treatment will likely include:
As you progress through your program, the final phase of rehabilitation will emphasize ‘return-to-sport activities’ to get you back in the game and prevent any future injuries.
Modalities are also available during physical therapy treatment which can include instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM / Graston Technique), Rock Tape, Normatec compression technology, Hypervolt massage tool and cryotherapy to facilitate a quicker recovery.
Disclaimer: If you continue to experience unbearable, reoccurring pain, be sure to schedule an appointment with your physician or join our physical therapy family and allow us to help you regain function.
Iron Health is located in Briarcliff Manor and the greater Westchester NY area. Our neighboring towns include Chappaqua, Mount Kisco, Tarrytown, Irvington and Pleasantville. If you have any questions, fill out a Discovery Session form. We will contact you as soon as possible to arrange your Free discovery Session.
