Knee is a complex hinge joint offering a wide range of motion with excellent stability. It is supported by ligaments and bulky muscle groups from all sides. Knee pain is a common out-patient diagnosis and is usually because of either a traumatic/twisting injury or due to basic biomechanical abnormality. The anatomical variations that might lead to a knee pain are:
- Abnormal Q angle
- Exaggerated lumbar lordosis
- Genu valgus
- Genu varus
- Hyper-pronated feet
- Knee and patellar ligamentous laxity
- Knee extensor and flexor muscle strength imbalance
- Overuse
- Patella alta
- Patellar chondromalacia
- Patellar maltracking
- Tight Achilles tendon
These need to be ruled out as a causative factor of knee pain by clinical evauation. The patients may present with pain along with other symptoms like:
- Painful range of motion
- Painful terminal restriction of motion
- Locking/Catching feel
- Grating/crackling sensation
- Loose body sensation
- Instability
- Unconfident walking/running/jumping
- Stiffness
- Swelling
- Lack of muscle bulk
These all symptoms are inter-related and overlapping symptoms are commonly present. The common clinical conditions presentin to us include:
- Shin Spints
- Quadriceps Injuries
- Anterior knee pain
- Patellar tendinitis
- Chondromalacia
Few easy home exercises which will help prevent and alleviate knee pain and improve health of the joint.
Essentially in a normal knee, these exercises can even prevent early degenerative changes.
