Knee Pain

Cartilage Damage│Ligamentous Injuries│Degeneration

Knee pain is one of the most common types of pain, and it can greatly impact daily activities such as walking, climbing stairs, and squatting. If an injury or chronic overuse occurs in the knee joint, it is recommended to seek help from a doctor or physiotherapist early for examination, treatment, and to learn how to avoid aggravating the condition.

Causes of Knee Pain

Poor posture
Accidental injury or sports strain
Prolonged lack of exercise
Kidney deficiency, liver stagnation
Being overweight
High levels of life stress and other psychological factors

Symptoms of Knee Pain

Incorrect walking or exercise posture
Overuse or sports injury
Knee joint degeneration
Muscle imbalance in the legs
Knee cartilage, ligament or meniscus injury

Physiotherapy for Knee Pain

The knee joint is a simple hinge joint, unlike the shoulder and hip joints. It can only flex and extend, and any other rotational forces can easily cause injury. Acute pain management involves reducing inflammation and relaxing the related soft tissues. In stable or chronic pain conditions, the key is to restore the proper function of the knee joint, through corrective exercises to reduce knee joint twisting, distribute the load evenly across the three main joints, and balance the muscles in the same plane. Physiotherapy treatment includes

TCM Treatment for Knee Pain

From a TCM perspective, knee pain is related to kidney deficiency or stagnation of Qi and blood stasis. Common TCM treatments include:

Chinese herbal medicine: The TCM doctor will prescribe herbs based on the patient’s symptoms and constitution, to soothe the tendons, activate blood circulation, and prevent recurrent knee pain.
Acupuncture: Needling acupoints related to knee pain, such as the kidney, large intestine, and Bladder meridians, can relieve muscle spasms and also have a tonifying effect on the kidneys and tendons.
Manual Therapy: Manual therapy techniques to relax the superficial and deep muscle layers, relieving knee pain.

FAQ

Is there a solution for cartilage wear and tear?

There is currently insufficient research evidence proving the existence of effective cartilage regeneration methods. The medical community is still exploring the potential and possibilities of cartilage regeneration. The most effective approach is prevention over treatment.

After cartilage wear and tear, non-surgical and surgical treatments are available. Non-surgical options include muscle strengthening exercises, anti-inflammatory medications, hyaluronic acid injections, autologous stem cell injections, and growth factor injections. Surgical options include arthroscopic surgery, autologous cartilage transplantation, and joint replacement surgery.

When would I need surgery?

Factors to consider for surgery include:

Severe pain significantly impacting normal life, such as walking and work
Greatly reduced joint range of motion
Decreased muscle strength, leading to increased risk of falls
Severe joint deformity
Rapidly progressing condition

Apart from the above, overall health status, surgical risks, rehabilitation duration, and financial factors should also be considered. It is advisable to consult an orthopedic surgeon to fully understand the risks before making a decision.

What exercises are suitable for knee degeneration?

The recommended exercises for knee osteoarthritis can be divided based on the severity:

Mild (occasional pain, no impact on mobility): Recommend muscle strengthening exercises like partial squats and sandbag training; can continue cardiovascular exercises like running and cycling.
Moderate (frequent pain, impacting mobility): Recommend muscle strengthening exercises like partial squats and sandbag training; reduce high-impact cardiovascular exercises like running, but can continue cycling and swimming.
Severe (severe pain significantly impacting daily life and mobility): Recommend simple muscle strengthening exercises like shallow squats and lighter sandbag training; perform simple cardiovascular exercises like stationary cycling.

MANA Core Values

Integration of Eastern and Western Medicine, Multidimensional Therapy
Reshaping Structural Integrity to Achieve Inner and Outer Balance
Guiding Body Perception to Think & Foster a Healthy Lifestyle
Conducted by Registered TCM Practitioners and Physiotherapists for Examination and Treatment

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