Knee Pain Series: Relieving Lateral Knee Pain and How Physical Therapy Can Help
Knee pain can be a debilitating and frustrating condition, affecting people of all ages and activity levels. One common form of knee pain is lateral knee pain, which is discomfort experienced on the outer side of the knee. This type of pain can result from various underlying issues, such as IT band syndrome, lateral collateral ligament (LCL) injury, or bursitis. While lateral knee pain can be a source of discomfort and limitation, there's hope for relief through physical therapy. In this blog, we will explore what lateral knee pain is, its possible causes, and how physical therapy can help individuals overcome this issue.
IT Band Syndrome: The iliotibial (IT) band is a thick band of connective tissue that runs from the hip to the outer side of the knee. Overuse or tightness of the IT band can lead to friction and irritation along its course, causing lateral knee pain.
Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL) Injury: The LCL is one of the four major ligaments that stabilize the knee joint. LCL injuries, often caused by sudden twisting or impact, can result in lateral knee pain and instability.
Bursitis: The knee joint contains fluid-filled sacs called bursae that reduce friction between tissues. When a bursa on the outer side of the knee becomes inflamed, it can lead to lateral knee pain.
Don’t Worry! Physical Therapy Can Help You!
Physical therapy is a highly effective and non-invasive approach to addressing lateral knee pain. It is designed to reduce pain, improve function, and prevent future issues. It is almost always recommended to go through PT for lateral knee pain first before trying any invasive techniques because most people can find relief and return to function with physical therapy alone.
Physical therapy treatment can include manual techniques to address soft tissue dysfunction, decreased mobility in the knee joint, and improving range of motion in the knee. An assessment of your walking pattern, balance, and technique with different movements can lead the physical therapist to what possible deficits may be leading to the lateral knee pain.
Strengthening and flexibility of the surrounding muscles is important in decreasing the strain at the IT band and preventing further injury in the future. The physical therapist can train you in proper technique and managing a home program to strengthen the hip, knee and ankle.
You Have Lateral Knee Pain? Looks Like You Need My Help!
Lateral knee pain can be a debilitating condition that interferes with daily activities and quality of life. However, with the guidance and support of a skilled physical therapist, individuals suffering from this condition can find relief and regain their functionality. Physical therapy offers a holistic approach to address the root causes of lateral knee pain, helping patients get back to the activities they love. If you're experiencing lateral knee pain, then you need to schedule a free phone consultation with me now so that we can discuss a plan of action to help you achieve your goals and get back to functioning without pain. Here’s the link: www.onthemovempt.com/schedule-a-consult.
