Is knee pain impacting on your quality of life?
Has knee pain stopped you from competing at your sport?
Did knee pain prevent you from doing what you love?
Are you worried about your falls risk due to knee pain?
If you said yes to any of the question above, continue reading, this blog is for you:
Knee Pain in Australia
Knee pain is a very common issue impacting millions of Australians nationwide. In fact, it was reported that around 46% of people over the age of 50 experience knee pain. However, this is not only an issue reported in older adults, as it was reported that approximately 30% of young adults also experience knee pain. The impact of knee pain is dramatic as it can prevent us from doing the things we love to do such as playing sport, going for walks and visiting friends in the community. Knee pain also contributes to individuals falls risk, which will further negatively contribute to a person’s health and wellbeing. Considering all this you might be asking?
What causes knee pain?
There are many possible causes for your knee pain. The most common causes include; a muscle strain, tendonitis, osteoarthritis or bone fracture.
Symptoms
The symptoms of knee pain will vary depending on the type and severity of the injury. However, some common signs and symptoms include:
- Swelling and stiffness
- Instability and reduced balance
- Weakness or instability
- Crunching noises
- Inability to fully straighten the knee
What can I do to improve knee pain?
Bellow are some recommendations to assist in Knee Pain recovery:
- Engage in a knee strengthening program
Improved strength of your muscles will assist in protecting and stabilising your joint. If your unsure what exercises to include into your strengthening program please consult with one of our Accredited Exercise Physiologists.
- Include regular stretches into your exercise program
Similarly, a lack of flexibility can lead to an increased risk of knee injuries. Stretching regularly will help improve your knee range of motion and decrease risk of further injury.
- Try and lose weight if necessary
Being overweight or obese increases the stress on your knee joint which in turn puts you at an increased risk of osteoarthritis and joint damage by accelerating the breakdown of joint cartilage.
- If pain is significant talk to a medical professional getting a scan
For most cases, this is not necessary, however if you have followed all of the recommended strategies above and pain is persisting, this may be an important step in your recovery.
If you are having any issues with knee pain, get in touch with Pivotal Motion’s Physiotherapy and Exercise Physiologist team today. Our team will be able to discuss with you in more depth on how we can help you. Book online or call us on 3352 5116.