The menisci, located inside the joint, are surfaces made of cartilage used to stabilize, cushion impacts and lubricate the knee. A flexible but also resistant joint capsule encompasses the knee.

Several muscles allow movements of the knee which consist mainly of flexion and extension, including the commonly known hamstring, quadricep and adductor musculature. In addition to these, we must not forget that the gastrocnemius and the popliteus are also involved in supporting movements of the knee joint.

Bursae, which are essentially pockets filled with fluids, are strategically placed in the joint to reduce friction and thus protect certain structures.

Sports injuries and possible diagnoses:

Unfortunately, injuries can happen quickly, and it is not always possible to prevent them! The knee can be the target of traumatic injuries caused by direct impact, compression, twisting and more. Included in the category of knee injuries caused by trauma we find: 

• Sprain or tearing of the meniscus
• Sprain or tearing of a cruciate or collateral ligament
• Bursitis (inflammation of a bursa)
• Muscle strains

The knee can also be the target of osteoarthritis, which is caused by a remodeling of the bones and cartilage that can cause stiffness, swelling and pain in the joint. The main risk factors for knee osteoarthritis are excess weight, age and genetic predisposition.

Other common knee diagnoses include:

• Patellofemoral pain syndrome
• Iliotibial band syndrome
• Pes anserine syndrome
• Quadriceps tendinopathy
• Patellar tendinopathy
• Meniscal irritation
• Hamstring tendinopathy

Typically, the latter diagnoses are overuse injuries. If you have any of these conditions, it probably means you’ve done too much, too quickly. The muscle or tendon involved has not had time to adapt to the stress you have placed on it.

Pain management and possible treatment protocols:

Have you identified the knee condition you are suffering from? Or on the contrary, are you unsure where your knee pain comes from? A chiropractor will be able to guide you. After your chiropractor assesses your condition, they will be able to decide on a treatment plan to meet your needs.

During a traumatic injury, rest is necessary initially, often for around 48 hours. Then, it is recommended to gradually return to daily activities by incorporating specific exercises to accelerate healing. The chiropractor will guide you through this rehabilitation process and can provide you with treatment adapted to your condition.

When the pain comes more from a process of overuse, a few solutions are possible. Joint mobilizations and muscle relaxation can be beneficial, combined with an exercise plan. Changing certain lifestyle habits may also be recommended by your chiropractor.

As a rule (omitting injuries due to trauma), to avoid suffering from knee pain, it is important to respect a quantification of stress. The principle behind this is to do a little more every day. The ideal is to create a small stress on the knee (for example, a weight training exercise) and then give the knee time to adapt. This way, the body can adapt to the stress, increasing its tolerance. Thus, the structures of the knee solidify over time.

In short, a chiropractor has several tools to help you with your knee pain. They can perform manual therapy, give you progressive exercises to do and provide recommendations tailored to your needs.

References

Dubois, B. Berg, F. (2022).  La santé par la course à pied, La Clinique du Coureur, Éditions Mons.

Giorgino R, Albano D, Fusco S, Peretti GM, Mangiavini L, Messina C. Knee Osteoarthritis: Epidemiology, Pathogenesis, and Mesenchymal Stem Cells: What Else Is New? An Update. Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Mar 29;24(7):6405. 

Tsokanos A, Livieratou E, Billis E, Tsekoura M, Tatsios P, Tsepis E, Fousekis K. The Efficacy of Manual Therapy in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review. Medicina (Kaunas). 2021 Jul 7;57(7):696.