If stairs, errands, exercise, or simply getting up from a chair have become difficult because of knee pain, the team at Cutting Edge Physical Therapy can help identify the root cause and guide you back to comfortable movement.
More and more research has shown that knees need movement to stay healthy. While avoiding activity may feel like the safest response to pain, limiting everyday movement often does not help and may make symptoms worse. Our Salt Lake City-area physical therapists help people improve mobility and strength so they can return to the activities they love without relying on dangerous drugs or invasive surgery.
The knee is a hinge joint designed to move forward and backward. When it is in proper alignment, you should be able to stand, walk, run, and dance with ease. Knee pain can limit that freedom—but it is not always caused by the knee alone. Problems in the foot or hip can contribute to pain at the knee, which is why our team performs a whole-body assessment rather than treating symptoms in isolation.
Knee pain can follow a sudden injury, develop from repetitive movement, or be related to changes in the tissues that support the joint. A thorough evaluation helps determine what is driving your symptoms and what solutions fit your needs.
Osteoarthritis is a common source of knee pain. As cartilage around the joint deteriorates, the joint has less cushioning between bones, which can lead to inflammation, pain, and dysfunction.
The meniscus helps absorb shock and stabilize the knee. A sudden twist while bearing weight can cause a tear, while some tears develop through wear and tear. Articular cartilage may also be injured by direct trauma or repetitive stress.
Ligaments hold the knee bones together and provide stability. Sudden motions can stretch or tear the ACL, PCL, MCL, or LCL, affecting rotational, forward-backward, or side-to-side knee stability.
Tendinitis occurs when a tendon becomes inflamed from repetitive movement. Patellar tendinitis can make walking, rising from a chair, climbing stairs, running, jumping, or playing sports difficult.
Bursae are fluid-filled sacs that reduce friction and help tendons glide over bone. Injury or overuse can inflame these sacs, making normal movement painful or even debilitating.
A car accident, an awkward step, or landing directly on the kneecap can damage the bones of the knee. Your therapist will screen for signs and symptoms that require further medical evaluation.
Many people worry physical therapy will aggravate their knees, especially if they have been told surgery is their only option. For the vast majority of people, that is simply not the case. Physical therapy has been shown to be as effective as or more effective than surgery for several knee disorders.
At your first visit, one of our physical therapists will conduct a comprehensive whole-body evaluation. We examine the knee, as well as the joints above and below it, and consider factors affecting your mobility, gait, and overall functional ability. We also screen for signs of serious conditions that may need further evaluation or other medical treatment.
Your personalized plan may include exercises to strengthen the muscles around the knee, improve stability, restore motion, and support normal function. Your therapist may also use manual therapy and modality treatments to manage discomfort and help injured tissues recover. Together, we work toward more range of motion, better soft-tissue flexibility, and less discomfort—so you can return to the life you enjoy.
Because knee pain can be influenced by movement throughout the lower body, your treatment may benefit from approaches that address joint mobility, soft-tissue restrictions, muscle activation, and return to activity.
Hands-on techniques may be used to address joint mobility and support more comfortable movement.
Specific exercise and movement training can help improve muscle control, stability, balance, and functional movement.
For runners, skiers, cyclists, and athletes who jump or land, a focused return-to-activity plan can support a confident recovery.
Now is the time to keep knee pain from interfering with your life any longer. Start on the road toward long-term relief with the dedicated physical therapists at Cutting Edge Physical Therapy.