Knee pain is an extremely common problem. It can affect not only athletes but the average weekend warrior or the average Joe and Jane. Not only will knee pain keep you from doing the activities you love, it prevents you from doing your daily movements - like standing and walking. 

1) Bad tissue in the quads: This one is very common as we become quad dominant and overuse these muscles. When this happens you develop a lot of adhesion in the muscle, which makes it weaker and less flexible. Over time the muscles can't support the knee and the knee cartilage gets really beat up.

2) The articular capsule of the knee, more commonly just called the knee capsule. This structure is one that tends to get really “junked” up with what is called adhesion when the knee doesn't get proper support from the hamstrings and quads.

The adhesion forms from overuse, this makes the capsule less flexible and weaker to be able to withstand the forces that the knee encounters everyday, making us more prone to knee injuries.

The capsule is really important to help support the deep structures in the knee, especially the tendons and cartilage. When the capsule has adhesion it causes more force to have to be distributed to the cartilage and tendon. When this happens things break down quicker, when things break down quicker you end up getting early degeneration of the knee.

Degeneration is a big deal, because it is progressive and doesn't go away. 

Knee replacements are on the rise, you don’t have to live with knee pain!

Knee problems are not always easy to fix! Most cases have developed over time and require more than just a “quick fix.” Through complete functional movement screens, we can narrow down the exact problem and the exact tissue(s) that need to be fixed. We utilize several treatment options including manual soft tissue treatments, knee joint manipulation, exercises and stretches to work on relieving pain and correcting complications associated with knee pain and dysfunction. 

Better diagnosis in our office, means better treatment and faster results for you!

How do I know if my knee pain is serious?
Joint pain in the knee is a common problem, but it could be the sign of something more serious if your pain is accompanied by warmth around the joint, fever, substantial swelling, or redness. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms you should seek out a medical professional.

What can cause knee pain without injury?
Chronic knee pain can occur without a significant injury or any high impact exercise. Some conditions that can cause pain without injury include gout, a Baker’s cyst, rheumatoid arthritis, and bone tumors.

Is walking good for knee pain?
Depending on the cause of your knee pain, in some instances walking can have benefits. For example, people with osteoarthritis often find that walking can help mobilize and lubricate the joint. It is always best to consult the medical advice of your doctor or therapist before starting up an exercise regimen if you have ongoing knee issues.

If you're experiencing any of the following pain, we invite you to learn more about our treatment options.

• Neck pain
• Shoulder pain
• Low back pain
• Hip pain
• Sciatica 

 If you think you have or are struggling with knee pain in the Grand Rapids area, call our office at 616-956-1112 or click here to schedule an appointment!