It might feel like you’re the only person in the world dealing with knee pain. But nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, medical researchers estimate that about 25% of adults are affected by frequent knee pain.
Though knee pain isn’t limited to you, it can affect your body in ways that are unique. For instance, it might be that you can’t bend your knee without pain. Other people might have more pain when doing certain activities or waking up in the morning. Not being able to bend your knee without pain can be a symptom of several different issues, and a physical therapist can help you discover which issue is causing your pain.
These three issues could be why you can’t bend your knee without pain
A physical therapist can perform a comprehensive screening to figure out why you can’t bend your knee without pain. Your assessment will likely involve the therapist asking you questions about your symptoms. They might perform tests to determine knee range of motion (ROM) as well. Three issues that your assessment might reveal as the cause of your knee pain are:
- Osteoarthritis — It’s estimated that about 23% of people over the age of 60 have knee osteoarthritis. This issue is a natural wear and tear or damage that happens in joints as we age. As the joint wears out, it can become inflamed and painful. You might also notice that it’s stiffer and swollen. Manual therapy has been shown by studies to reduce knee osteoarthritis symptoms by 52% after four weeks.
- Meniscus tear — Researchers estimate that up to 14% of Americans develop a meniscus tear annually. The tears in this C-shaped piece of cartilage can catch on other knee structures when the joint bends. In turn, this can cause a significant amount of pain. Therapists can offer effective treatment for meniscus tears. One study reports that 71% of patients in the physical therapy group were able to avoid surgery.
- Patellar tendinitis — The patellar tendon connects the kneecap or patella to the shinbone. Patellar tendinitis is an injury that occurs in this tendon, and it’s more commonly known as “jumper’s knee.” This injury is most common in athletes who do a lot of jumping. One study supports this by stating that almost 45% of the volleyball players whom the study surveyed had patellar tendinitis. Additionally, another study reveals that a type of manual therapy was able to resolve this injury in 100% of the therapy group’s participants in six weeks.
Don’t keep dealing with a knee that you can’t bend without pain. Get help from Panther Physical Therapy
Are you living with a knee that you can’t bend without pain? Our therapy specialists at Panther Physical Therapy have the knowledge and skills to assist you. Our clinics offer free screenings designed to reveal the root cause of your pain. Then, we’ll build you an individualized treatment plan to address the specific issue affecting your knee.
Take the next step to start getting our help with your knee pain. Contact us today for more information or to schedule your free screening.