Knee Pain Relief Through Physical Therapy

Physical therapy for knee pain is an important part of your recovery after knee surgery. A physical therapist will work closely with you to strengthen and stretch the muscles in your knee while working on rehabilitation from knee surgery. Many physical therapists specialize in knee pain, so you can be sure to find someone who knows exactly what you need.

A physical therapist for knee pain may recommend physical therapy first, and then orthopedic-type treatment if pain medications do not work or are causing excessive activity in your joint. Physical therapy involves a comprehensive assessment and evaluation of your lower extremity to include the hips, knee, and spine. Your physical therapist can evaluate your knee pain as accurately as possible and recommend the appropriate treatments, such as exercises and modified rehabilitation, to help reduce your knee pain without invasive surgery.

A good physical therapist will use diagnostic imaging and diagnostic testing to determine the cause of your pain, as well as recommending treatment that is appropriate for your unique situation. Your physical therapist will determine how much strength and function you can regain through exercise and what kind of activities is safe for you at this point. Your physical therapist may recommend that you begin light-type activities first, such as walking around the home, or yard, as well as increasing the amount of strength you are able to attain in your hands and arms.

Once your PT has determined that physical therapy is necessary, he or she will recommend a specialist for surgical repair. Some physical therapists work closely with surgeons, but most specialize in just outpatient surgery. Surgeons are typically involved only in the initial procedure - once your healthcare provider has assessed the severity of your injury and decided that the best course of treatment is surgery, they will refer you to a specific surgeon for your procedure. 

Although some physical therapists choose to coordinate their practices with surgeons as well, some PTs will perform the diagnostic testing and treatment procedures themselves and make all of the decisions themselves. Regardless of which type of PT you choose, it is important that you trust the professional who is working with your physical therapy team - a trusted PT will be your lifeline in your quest to regain quality of life and physical functioning.