Highland Chiropractic Answers Knee Pain FAQs

Knee pain is a common complaint about many active people. The knee is a complex joint consisting of multiple bones, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. Many daily activities put stress on your knees and can result in an injury or chronic pain. Here are some of the basics about knee pain, courtesy of Highland Chiropractic, your Louisville chiropractor.

Why Do I Have Knee Pain?

There are dozens of reasons for knee pain. You may have a genetic issue such as lax joints that increases the risk of misalignments. An old injury may have left you with traumatic arthritis. Degenerative changes can result with age. Activities like jogging can cause overuse injuries or tendinitis.

Why Do My Hips/Back/Ankles Hurt?

Because the musculoskeletal system functions as a unit, a knee injury can also cause pain other places. Sometimes this is referred pain – the nervous system is irritated and the pain spreads through adjacent nerves. In other cases, the pain is the result of changing your gait to accommodate pain. Limping from knee pain, for example, can make the hip, ankle, knee or even your back hurt as you compensate.

What Conditions Cause Knee Pain?

• Dislocated Knee – an acute dislocation is an emergency situation and requires immediate treatment.
• Bursitis – the knee bursae are fluid-filled sacs that cushion the knee. They can become inflamed and painful.
• Frozen or Locked knee – torn ligaments, bony fragments or a kneecap out of alignment can make it impossible to bend or straighten the knee.
• Sprains and Strains – these injuries should be treated to prevent chronic knee pain.
• Tendinitis – an inflammation of the knee tendons, this is often the result of overuse.

Can Knee Pain Be Prevented?

The answer is, “It depends.” Once degenerative changes begin, you may always have some chronic low-level pain. Pain from misalignment, postural problems or gait changes, or from tense, uneven muscles, can often be helped by chiropractic treatment. Keeping your muscles, tendons, and ligaments strong and flexible with specific exercises helps prevent injury.

How Can A Chiropractor Help Knee Pain?

Chiropractic treatment begins with an assessment to determine the cause of the pain. Your chiropractor will analyze your gait to identify contributing problems like flat feet, tight ligaments that cause the toes to turn out or spinal misalignments that affect your posture. You may need orthotics in your shoes or exercises targeted to specific muscle weaknesses. Spinal adjustments correct misalignments. Other therapies might include massage, dry needling, electrical stimulation or ultrasound.

Contact Our Highland Chiropractic in Louisville, KY Today!

If you suffer from knee pain or are looking to prevent problems, please contact us for an assessment and recommendations by calling 502-251-4682. Located at 1525 Bardstown Road in Louisville, we treat all ages and offer extended hours and Saturday services to help meet your needs.