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Knee Pain

Clonee Physiotherapy Knee Pain

Knee pain is a common complaint among people of all ages. Pain may occur as a result of a traumatic injury such as during sport or may develop over time as an overuse injury. Rheumatological conditions such as arthritis can also cause knee pain.

Some of the most common causes of knee pain are as follows:

  • Ligament tear
    • Knee ligament tears are relatively common in the world of sport. The ligament most commonly injured is the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL), often simply referred to as ‘the cruciate’. There is however also a Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL). The Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) and the Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL) are also commonly injured. The ligaments of the knee are often injured in sports which involve change of direction as well as in contact sports.

 

  • Dislocation
    • A knee dislocation is a medical emergency and delayed treatment could result in long-term disability. Knee dislocation describes a condition where the bones forming the knee joint are moved entirely out of their articulating position. For this to occur, almost all ligaments would have to be torn. This type of injurycould occur as the result of a traumatic incident, such as a car crash.
    • Much more common (and far less serious) there can be a patellar dislocation. This is where the kneecap slips out of it’s usual position. This can happen as the result of a direct blow to the knee. Alternatively, it can happen following a sudden change in direction, where the foot remains planted on the ground as the body turns away. 

 

  • Meniscal tear
    • A meniscal tear is one of the most common injuries of the knee. The knee has 2 menisci which act as shock-absorbers between the thigh bone and shin bone. A meniscal tear will usually be caused by a forceful twisting movement of the knee. This injury is seen commonly in sports which involve pivoting and change of direction such as football and tennis.

 

  • Bursitis
    • A bursa is a small fluid filled sac that are located in the body around the various joints. The role of the bursa is to reduce friction and irritation between structures. However, the bursa itself can become irritated and inflamed – bursitis. There are several bursae around the knee. The most common sites for bursitis are the inside of the knee and he front of the knee.

 

  • Patellar Tendinitis (Jumper’s Knee)
    • The patellar tendon runs between the kneecap and the upper part of the shin bone. Patellar tendinitis is inflammation of this tendon. This condition is more commonly referred to as Jumper’s knee. It is generally an overuse injury and is often sports-related. It is particularly associated with jumping sports, e.g. basketball and volleyball, hence the nickname.

 

  • IT band syndrome
    • Iliotibial band syndrome is a very common overuse injury. It is very common among runners but can occur in the general population too. It generally manifests as pain at the outside of the knee.

 

  • Arthritis
    • The knee is one of the joints most commonly affected by Osteoarthritis. For more information on arthritis, click here.

 

If you are suffering with knee pain and would like more information, call us 0n (01) 825 2623 or email info@cloneephysio.ie