Knee pain chiropractic: Around 40 percent of running injuries are knee injuries. They fall under a general term of runner’s knee. This includes chondromalacia patellae also referred to as patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFMS). Other knee injuries include iliotibial band syndrome and plica syndrome.
Rest and ice are common therapies, but when that doesn’t work or when pain and mobility issues comeback, chiropractic is a tried and true treatment option. Structural issues that affect the knees are often very responsive to chiropractic treatment. In the case of chondromalacia patellae and other knee problems, it has proven to reduce pain and help improve the condition significantly, providing increased mobility and flexibility.
Anatomy
The knee is constructed to take the impact of the body’s weight when bending and moving. Under the knee is a layer of cartilage that is a natural shock absorber. Injury/s, overuse, aging, and other conditions can cause damage to the cartilage. The condition causes pain and impaired mobility, especially when walking up or downstairs. The pain can be reduced with rest and ice, but sometimes it's not enough.Common treatments include:
- Chiropractic
- Physical therapy
- Medications
- Surgery
Symptoms
Common symptoms include pain at the front of the knee. It can be described as a dull ache deep in the knee.This pain can be made worse when:
- Sitting with the knee bent for a long time
- Squatting
- Kneeling
- Walking up and downstairs
Causes
The exact cause of chondromalacia patellae is still unknown. The condition has been linked to several factors.- Overuse and repetitive stress placed on the joint. This is seen in sports and physical activities that involve jumping and running.
- Poor muscle control when the muscles that surround the knee and hip don’t operate properly making the tracking of the kneecap off balance.
- Trauma such as a fracture or dislocation.
Figure 106. Patellar tendonitis (jumper’s knee)
Risks
A person’s risk of developing chondromalacia patellae can increase based on certain criteria.- Young adults and adolescents can acquire the injury as they're still growing.
- Older individuals with knee pain and possible arthritis are more susceptible to injury.
- Gender is a risk factor, as women are twice as likely to develop the condition compared to men. Doctors theorize this is due to the skeletal structure of a woman as the pelvis is wider increasing the angle where the bones of the knee joint meet.
- Those that participate in sports that involve a lot of jumping and running have a higher risk. Particularly if the individual increases their level of training.
Chiropractic
Chiropractic treatment for chondromalacia patellae includes nutritional intervention as well as adjustments, stretches and exercises. The treatment is focused on stretching shortened hamstrings and adjusting the sacroiliac joint.The aim is to improve the tracking of the kneecap and increase motor control. Soft tissue work can help individuals with knee pain. The whole-body approach that chiropractic provides goes beyond relief from knee pain but curing or reducing the condition completely.
The Cost-effectiveness
Why see a chiropractor?
There are plenty of reasons why. From:- General health
- Aches
- Pains
- Injury
- Increased movement
- Strength
- Optimal health
However, individuals need to understand the cost of other treatment options like medications and surgery that end up costing more than dollars with all the negative side-effects. Here are three reasons to visit a chiropractor, and the savings that come with it.
Prevention
Chiropractic promotes optimal health through prevention that is increasingly attracting those striving to remain younger, longer. It promotes whole-body healing through spinal adjustments/joint manipulations to increase mobility and optimize the body's performance. It decreases blood pressure and reduces the chance of headaches.Avoiding these health issues saves tens of thousands of dollars in medical bills. Seeing a professional chiropractor enables a person to stay healthy and enjoy a more active lifestyle because their back, bones, and joints are in optimal condition.
Re-Injured
Millions of bodies are injured from a variety of mishaps and accidents.- Sports injuries
- Car accidents
- Work injuries
- Slips
- Falls
Chronic
Many types of medical conditions are ongoing, with no cure in sight. Daily pain, loss of strength and mobility are conditions that individuals power through and learn to live with when they don't want to continually take medication and feel horrible. This is where chiropractic medicine can shine, as it's all-natural. The aim is to get the body to react the way it is supposed to and heal itself.The cost is minimal when measured against the rewards and benefits of increased mobility, decreased pain, and a fantastic quality of life. Dr. Jimenez will perform a thorough examination to determine the proper treatment for the given ailment/condition. Give us a call. We’re here to help!