How Physical Therapy Can Help Your Knee Problems

One way to think about your therapist's role is as a coach - a caregiver and mentor to lead you through a course of action toward achieving your goals for your comfort and lifestyle.

It's important to recognize that you, the patient, are the most important participant in the healing and prevention process. They are, after all, your knees. Whatever treatment you receive from others, the treatment you give them, day in and day out, is just as important.

Whether you're currently suffering from a knee injury, or trying to avoid one, your physical therapist has the skills to help. It all starts with a careful evaluation.

Evaluation. Physical therapy places great emphasis on this process. Your therapist will take the time to talk with you and perform a thorough physical evaluation to identify your knee condition or predisposing factors.

Therapy. Your physical therapist will plan a treatment regimen suited to your individual condition, and begin working to restore motion and muscular performance.

Treatment of Knee Injuries

There is, unfortunately, no quick cure for a knee injury. Physical therapy plays a key role in treating and rehabilitating the knee, but you and your attitude toward recovery are the biggest factor in achieving a successful outcome.

Physical Therapy

Your licensed physical therapist will design a phased treatment plan with two main components:

1. Maximum protection, a series of exercises designed to help motion. Activities in this phase might include water walking, swimming, leg presses and mini-squats; and
2. Return to function and maintenance, an exercise sequence to restore strength. These activities are a functional progression, that is, a gradual return to normal activities using exercises that stimulate the knee stresses of your normal activities.

Teaching. You don't need to become an "expert" to avoid or overcome injury, but you may need to learn some new habits. Your physical therapist will help you continue therapy on your own, with a home program of exercises designed to fit your needs.

Aftercare. The goal of physical therapy is to return you to normal life as soon as possible, with the skills you need to prevent reinjury. You probably won't need to visit your therapist again unless you have another injury or pain.