Your Knees Work Hard!

Your knees are some of the hardest working joints in your body. They are the largest weight-bearing joints in the body, and play a huge role in movement and stability, whether standing or walking. 

Because they do so much, knees are also the most commonly injured joint. Pain in the knee is often one of two things. Because the knee is a hinge joint with a fairly limited range of motion, and because the articulation between the leg bones, the femur and tibia, do not form a deep bony socket, the knee is stabilized by ligaments and muscles, and they can be stretched or torn by twisting movements, sudden changes of direction, or forceful landings. Because it is a weight-bearing joint and is used so often, the cartilage that covers the ends of the bones and provides cushion as they move can be worn down or worn away. This is known as arthritis, and causes pain and inflammation in the joint. 

The knee is a hinge joint that moves back and forth. It consists of three bones, the femur and tibia, which are the leg bones, and the patella, which is a small triangular bone that covers and protects the joint. This is what we call our kneecap. The bones are held together by tough bands of tissue called ligaments. In the knee, these ligaments are called the cruciates, and you often hear them abbreviated as the ACL or PCL, and the collaterals, often abbreviated as the LCL and the MCL. Ligaments connect bones to bones, and are subject to sprains and strains. The bands of tissue that connect the muscles of the leg to the bones of the knee are called tendons, and that connection is responsible for actually moving the joint. The muscles in the front and back of the thigh, as well as the glute muscles, contract to move the leg forwards and backwards. The entire joint in encased in a thick membrane that is filled with synovial fluid to aid in the smooth movement of the joint and reduce the friction in a joint that gets used so often. The ends of the leg bones are coated with a thick layer of cartilage to protect the bones from rubbing against one another, and are also protected by thick pads of cartilage known as menisci. 

Options for Natural Pain Relief

Knee pain can be acute, caused by a strain or sprain, or chronic. Acute pain can be treated by alternating ice and heat to reduce inflammation and allow the ligaments to heal. Regenerative therapies that stimulate the body’s healing mechanisms may speed recovery and provide relief as well. Depending on your specific case, your practitioner may recommend platelet rich plasma injections, use of electrical simulation from an INS or TENS device, electromagnetic currents from a PEMF device, or the use of pressure wave therapy with an ESWT device. 

If you experience chronic knee pain, here are some issues to consider. Since the knees bear the most weight on a day to day basis, being overweight adds to the stress on those joints. A loss of just 5-10% of your body weight can reduce the strain on your joints by pounds of pressure. The next thing to consider is whether the alignment of your spine and pelvis are off. A slight twist to the hips or an impingement in the spine can cause you to shift your weight as you move, and this imbalance can contribute to uneven wear on the joint and cause pain. Correct spinal and pelvic alignment, along with good posture, help keep your weight balanced. The third thing to consider are orthotics. As the foundation of your body and the source of your gait, under- and over-pronation can both cause pain in the knees. Orthotics that provide the right support can relieve the excess pressure on your knees and prevent wear patterns from developing. 

An Integrated Approach

Chiropractors and physical therapists can both focus on structure and function, mobilize the joint, and improve your range of motion. By visiting an office that provides both specialties, you can benefit from a chiropractor’s expertise in assessing your alignment and also from a physical therapist’s expertise in assessing where and how to work on strength and flexibility in order to best support these all-important joints. If you are dealing with arthritis, this guidance can be key to maintaining your quality of life with as little pain as possible. 

At Natural State Health Center, our integrative medical team brings together chiropractors, a physical therapist, a nurse practitioner skilled in working with regenerative medicine, and a massage therapist. Together, these professionals assess your concerns and develop a treatment plan that emphasizes reducing pain naturally, supporting the body’s healing processes, and improving your quality of life.