As the largest joint in the body, the knee is frequently injured. Pain in the joint can be debilitating and lead to a poor quality of life. Whether knee pain is a result of a specific traumatic event or from the wear and tear of osteoarthritis, therapy for knee pain seeks to both manage pain and restore normal joint function. The therapy chosen to address knee pain should be one that is able to modify the root cause of the pain. Simply covering up the symptom for a short period will not resolve the problem and is not useful in the long run.
Types
The book "Therapeutic Modalities in Rehabilitation" states that treatments like ice packs or heating pads reduce pain stemming from minor injuries and help to repair small sprains and strains. An experienced personal trainer can develop a gym program to strengthen weak musculature and provide much needed support to the joint. Physical therapy may be necessary for more significant joint dysfunction such as painful patellar maltracking, which occurs when the knee cap moves abnormally in its groove as the knee joint bends and straightens. The use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications decreases pain by limiting the body's ability to send additional fluid to the joint after injury. This swelling can aggravate soft tissues and increase pain, advises C.D. Ciccone in "Pharmacology in Rehabilitation." Massage therapy works by relieving muscle spasms and tension that develop after damage to the knee.
Time Frame
The length of time from injury to full pain-free recovery depends, of course, on the extent of the original damage. Because the knee experiences significant stress during walking, some pain is difficult to alleviate unless the limb is allowed to remain non-weight-bearing for a period of time. Sprains and strains can be expected to heal within a month or so. Actual tears to tendons or ligaments require much longer to fully recover. If a knee was repaired by a surgical procedure, the therapy required for that healing process can take several months to be fully effective. In the meantime, many people with knee pain look to pain-relieving medications until therapy is successful.
Benefits
Gone are the days when people were forced to give up work and recreational activities because their knee pain limited mobility. Whether it is a combination of options like medication use, massage, physical therapy, or a supportive brace, people with knee pain have options that were not available in the past. Current therapy techniques manage knee pain and allow continuation of normal movement.
Payment
While some types of therapeutic interventions are covered by health insurance, not all the options are reimbursable. Physical therapy is usually a covered benefit if prescribed by a physician, as are many of the prescription pain medications. Home ice packs and heating pads, gym memberships and massage therapy are normally paid for out-of-pocket.
Considerations
Knee pain should be accurately diagnosed prior to choosing a therapy for treatment. Trying to heal a completely torn anterior cruciate ligament, one of the main stabilizing ligaments of the knee located deep within the joint, with an ice pack will be ineffective and may potentially limit the success of any eventual surgical procedure. Diagnostic testing procedures, such as X-ray or MRI, may need to be performed in order to determine the cause of knee pain. After determining the cause of knee pain, a physician can provide guidance as to which therapy will offer the best chance for successful treatment.
References
- "Therapeutic Modalities in Rehabilitation, 3rd Edition;" W. Prentice; 2005
- "Pharmacology in Rehabilitation, 4th Edition;" C.D. Ciccone; 2007
