Physical Therapist Rockville, MD
At the Pain & Arthritis Relief Center, a physical therapist in Rockville, MD is familiar with handling cases related to knee problems. As the body moves and gets older, there are what seems like limitless ways for it to sustain injury. Physical therapists have in-depth specialized knowledge about rehabilitative treatment methods so that the body can quickly recover and restore proper function. Seeing a physical therapist can help you restore your mobility, improve your range of motion and accelerate your recovery following an injury. If you are considering seeing a physical therapist for knee-related pain, or other musculoskeletal issue, then don’t hesitate to reach out to our clinic today.
What is Physical Therapy?
Physical therapy is a healthcare discipline that refers to a set of treatments for diseases, injuries and other medical conditions that affect movement and flexibility. A physical therapist assesses patients and determines the cause of their pain and symptoms. Typical physical therapy treatment plans consist of a combination of therapies, such as dynamic stretches, exercises, and strength training.
What Will The Physical Therapist Examine?
The actual examination by the physical therapist may vary slightly depending on the area that is injured or in need of attention. But most often, it will start by assessing your range of movement and discussing the problems you are having. The physical therapist will ask you about your lifestyle, amount of physical activity, symptoms, how long you have been experiencing symptoms, and the type of pain you are feeling. A physical examination will entail a review of the area of pain itself, in addition to the hip, thigh, foot, lower back, and ankle.
During this examination your physical therapist is going to watch how you walk, sit down, and balance. Tests such as these will help your physical therapist identify the strength and movement of the knee, and how it may have impacted other regions of your body. It will be important to discuss with your Rockville, MD physical therapist if you are experiencing any of the following:
- Limited range of motion in your knee
- Reduced flexibility of the knee, hip, or ankles
- Difficulty standing or performing activities such as getting up from a seated position or walking up/downstairs
- Issues with coordination or balance
- Difficulty controlling the knee
Knee Conditions That a Physical Therapist Can Treat
The knee is one of the most vulnerable and complex parts of the body because we rely on our knees for everyday movement. It consists of multiple joints that are connected to other parts of the body, such as the hips and legs. Without functional knees, we would not be able to walk, run, jump, or bend to reach objects to do routine tasks. Because we use our knees on a daily basis, it is prone to injury which can result in a number of acute and chronic knee conditions. Several common injuries and conditions that a physical therapist usually treats include the following:
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear
- Patellar tendonitis
- Bursitis
- Knee sprain
- Knee dislocation
- Fractures
- Meniscal tears
How Is Knee Joint Pain Diagnosed?
A physical therapist will evaluate the knee, with the goal to assess the condition and determine potential causes of pain. They may ask you questions about your current concerns and past medical history. Information related to how the injury occurred, previous injuries, current symptoms, and location of pain are all important details to share with your physical therapist.
It is important to emphasize that you should never attempt to self-diagnose if you have any kind of joint issue. The knee is highly complex and there could be a number of things wrong with your knee. You may confuse the symptoms for different medical conditions, and some knee conditions involve internal damage which require deeper assessment for a proper diagnosis.
How Long Will It Take To See Results From Physical Therapy?
After your initial physical evaluation, a physical therapist will develop a custom treatment plan that you can follow. The number of sessions you may need to do depends on the severity of your injury or condition. It can take anywhere from a few weeks or several months for you to complete physical therapy treatment. However, you may begin to notice improvement after a few sessions if you follow the physical therapist’s instructions and do the exercises routinely.
At-Home Recovery
In between physical therapy sessions, patients can help to facilitate their recovery by doing at-home exercises and simple treatments. Staying active by doing low to moderate exercises and stretches at home can help keep your joints lubricated and improve your flexibility. The RICE (rest, ice, compression and elevation) method is a basic treatment method that patients can follow to promote faster healing and recovery. As with any treatment, make sure to follow your physical therapists’ orders on how to safely perform exercises at home.
Schedule a Consultation
Are there any activities that tend to aggravate your symptoms more or less? Some people have difficulty with their knees while at work, shopping, exercising, etc. Patients who are more active tend to have symptoms during higher activity, such as participating in sports or running. If you have been suffering from knee pain for quite some time, it may be worth considering physical therapy as a solution. Sadly, knee pain causes many people to stop doing the hobbies that they enjoy. Don’t let that happen to you. Contact the Pain & Arthritis Relief Center so that a physical therapist in Rockville, Maryland can give you the help you need!
