Do you experience a burning, aching, or sharp pain in your knees when walking, jogging, or running? Does it feel like your joint is stiff and swollen each time you try to stand up or sit down? You may be suffering from knee osteoarthritis, a chronic condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Whether you’re an athlete, a weekend warrior or an older adult, knee osteoarthritis pain can be frustrating, debilitating, and disruptive to your quality of life. In this blog post, we’ll explore what knee osteoarthritis pain feels like and how you can manage it effectively with the help of a physiotherapist or chiropractic doctor.
Knee osteoarthritis pain is typically described as a dull, aching sensation that worsens with weight-bearing activities such as walking, running, or climbing stairs. The pain is usually located in the front, sides, or back of the knee joint, and it may feel like a sharp, shooting sensation when the joint is moved. You may also experience stiffness, swelling, and tenderness around the knee. These symptoms can make it hard to move freely and perform your daily activities.
The severity and type of knee osteoarthritis pain can vary from person to person, depending on factors such as age, weight, activity level, and underlying medical conditions. For some people, the pain comes and goes, while for others, it’s constant and debilitating. Additionally, some people may experience joint instability, popping sounds, or locking of the knee joint. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to seek medical advice as soon as possible to prevent further damage to the knee joint.
Managing knee osteoarthritis pain requires a comprehensive approach that addresses the underlying causes of the condition. A physiotherapist or chiropractic doctor can help you develop a personalized treatment plan that includes exercises, stretches, manual therapies, and lifestyle modifications. For instance, your physiotherapist may recommend that you do low-impact exercises such as swimming, cycling, or walking to strengthen the muscles supporting the knee joint and reduce the stress on the joint. Additionally, your chiropractic doctor may perform spinal adjustments to alleviate nerve pressure and improve your joint mechanics.
In addition to physiotherapy and chiropractic care, there are other self-care strategies that you can use to manage knee osteoarthritis pain at home. These include rest, ice, compression, and elevation of the affected knee, as well as taking over-the-counter pain medications such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen. You can also use assistive devices such as knee braces, shoe inserts, and walking aids to support the knee joint and reduce the impact of weight-bearing activities.
Knee osteoarthritis pain can be challenging to manage, but with the right treatment and self-care strategies, you can reduce your symptoms and improve your quality of life. If you’re experiencing knee pain, it’s important to talk to a physiotherapist or chiropractic doctor to get an accurate diagnosis and develop a treatment plan. By working together with your healthcare providers and making lifestyle changes, you can relieve your pain and get back to doing the activities you love. Remember, a healthy knee is a happy knee!
If you have any questions or would like to explore further, please book a free, no-charge online appointment with either myself, Dr. Tyler Baron, BASc, DC or another Kitchener chiropractor at CARESPACE. We are happy to listen and are here to help!
