Knee Pain Treatment in Kew, Melbourne
Knee pain can creep into everything, from stairs and squats to long walks, runs and getting up off the floor. Some knee pain starts with a twist or a knock, but a lot of it builds up slowly from doing more than your knee is ready for. The good news is that most knees respond really well to the right exercise and a smarter approach to load. At our Kew clinic we see people from Kew, Camberwell and Alphington who want to get back to moving without their knee holding them back.
Types of Knee Pain We See
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Kneecap pain: An ache at the front of the knee, often worse on stairs, squatting or after sitting for a long time. Also called patellofemoral pain.
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Knee arthritis: Stiffness and aching, often in people over 50, that can make walking, gardening or getting out of a chair harder.
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Tendon pain: Pain just below or above the kneecap, common in people who run, jump or do a lot of squats.
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Outer knee pain in runners: Pain on the outside of the knee that builds up as you run, often linked to the ITB.
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Meniscus irritation: Pain along the joint line, sometimes with clicking or a feeling of catching.
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Rehab after injury or surgery: Getting strength and confidence back after a sprain, a ligament injury or a knee operation.
What Causes Knee Pain?
Your knee sits between your hip and your foot, so it often takes the load when something above or below isn't pulling its weight. Common contributors include:
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Doing too much too soon: A jump in running distance, a new gym program or a big week on your feet.
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Weakness around the hip and thigh: When the glutes and quads can't keep up, the knee picks up the slack.
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Stiffness in the hip or ankle: Less movement there means more stress through the knee.
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Body weight and general fitness: More load through the joint every step.
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Previous injuries: An old knee or ankle injury can change how you move years later.
If you've been told your knee is "bone on bone", that's not the end of the road. Scans often look worse than the knee actually feels, and exercise is one of the most effective treatments for knee arthritis.
How Osteopathy Helps with Knee Pain
We look at how your knee, hip, ankle and foot are working together, and at what you've been asking of them, then build a plan around you.
Hands-On Treatment
Soft tissue work, joint mobilisation and stretching for the knee, hip and ankle to ease pain and help things move more freely.
Strength and Rehab
Exercise is the main event for most knee problems. You'll get a progressive program to build strength in your quads, glutes and calves, starting at a level that suits your knee right now and building from there.
Getting the Load Right
How much to walk, run or train while your knee settles, how to build back up without flaring it, and simple changes to stairs, squats and kneeling that take the pressure off.
Jye Adamson, Osteopath
"Bone on bone is one of the scariest things a patient can hear. Most knees can do a lot more than people think once they get stronger."
What to Expect at Your Appointment
Your first appointment is 45 minutes. We'll ask how it started and what makes it worse, then check how your knee moves and how it holds up when you squat, step and balance, along with your hip, ankle and foot. You'll leave with a clear explanation, treatment if it's right for you, and exercises you can start straight away.