4 ways a knee specialist doctor near you can improve your mobility

You rely on your knees every day, so when you experience knee pain, it can greatly affect your ability to perform everyday activities, like walking. Whether you’re an athlete or had a recent injury, if you're dealing with knee pain, you may be among the 25% of adults who also experience limited knee function. If you’re tired of feeling limited or even restricted in your basic movements, it may be time to reach out to a knee specialist for help. Working with a specialist can offer you the tools and guidance to understand your knee pain and how you can improve your mobility. 

Let's explore four ways that a knee specialist can get you back to moving. 

1. Accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plan 

Not all knee pain is the same. Knee pain can develop gradually over time due to overuse or disease, or it may come on suddenly as a result of an injury or trauma. A knee specialist can work with you to help find the cause of your pain and then decide the best way to treat and manage your pain. For example, if your pain stems from a minor injury or condition, your doctor may refer you to a physical therapist for a personalized treatment plan; if your pain is caused by a worn-out joint, they may recommend a total knee replacement. Receiving an accurate diagnosis early on can help speed up your recovery. 

Some common conditions that cause knee pain include: 

• Osteoarthritis (when the joint cartilage in the knee wears down)

• Runner’s knee (pain around the kneecap from overuse or stress)

• ACL injury (a tear of the anterior cruciate ligament)

• Knee fracture

• Torn meniscus 

Other risk factors that may increase your risk of knee pain:

• Excess weight

• Previous injury 

• Improper posture (can cause weight to be distributed unevenly, placing added stress on the knee) 

• Weak or imbalanced muscles

• Certain sports or occupations (e.g., running, basketball, construction work) 

• Aging or joint degeneration 

2. Physical therapy and rehabilitation guidance 

If you want to improve your knee’s mobility, physical therapy is a great tool toward your recovery. A physical therapist will work with you to create a personalized treatment plan that can address your specific needs and mobility goals. For example, at the beginning of your treatment, you may not be able to fully extend your knee, so your plan may include a few stretching and strengthening exercises. After a week or two, you may be able to extend your knee further, allowing you to incorporate additional exercises and treatments.

If surgery is recommended for your knee, PT is valuable afterward during the rehab stage.

Physical therapy treatment options to improve knee pain and mobility include the following:

• Dry needling 

Dry needling can help improve knee mobility by targeting and releasing tight muscles and trigger points around the joint. Some studies have also shown that this technique may reduce pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis and those who had a total knee replacement. 

• Joint mobilization 

Joint mobilization is a form of manual therapy where a physical therapist will use their hands to gently manipulate the knee joint by moving it back and forth within its normal range. These movements can help increase blood flow to the injured area, delivering vital nutrients that support healing, and can speed up the recovery process. This form of treatment can also help reduce joint pain and increase the knee’s flexible range over time. 

3. Surgical intervention and minimally invasive procedures

Based on your diagnosis, your doctor may recommend one or more of the following surgeries or procedures: 

• Knee arthroscopy (using small tools to create tiny cuts to address knee damage and support recovery)

• Knee osteotomy (to delay knee surgery, requires adjusting the shinbone and thigh bone to better support your weight)

• Partial knee replacement

• Knee arthroplasty (full knee replacement)

4. Other nonsurgical care options

Before considering surgery, your doctor may recommend any of the following along with your initial treatment plan: 

• Over-the-counter and prescription medications 

• Braces or orthotics to help support your knee joint

• Shots to reduce pain and inflammation (steroid injections)

Need help with knee pain? At KC Rehab, we are here for you 

Here at KC Rehab, we understand how important it is to get you back to doing the things you love. If you’re tired of dealing with your knee injury or recovery alone, don’t wait any further. Our physical therapists can work with you to create a treatment plan that is customized to your specific needs. Our friendly team is made up of licensed physical therapists who are ready to help, so you can be confident that your recovery is our top priority. 

Don’t wait! Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.