KNEE PAIN - Your complete guide!

Ben Smith • October 11, 2021

The knee joint – We only get two of them! 


Your knee joint health is critical across the lifespan and throughout various domains of human performance and endeavour.

 Knee structure is critical in high level athletic pursuits such as sprinting, jumping for a volleyball spike or changing direction in field sports.

Its equally as important in manual labour; lifting heavy machinery, crawling in a roof or kneeling to lay some pavers.


Chronic overuse can lead to debilitating pain in running athletes

It’s function can be compromised when adolescents are ‘growing into their bodies’

Likewise, females who are generally more flexible than stiff, have an increased risk of front of knee pain

As a senior citizen we start to see the effects of osteoarthritis, resulting in joint swelling, weakness, pain & stiffness.


So it’s evident knee pain can affect all walks of life.


Lets take a look at the basic anatomy and where things can go wrong…..


Knee Integrity

Essentially, the knee is made up of 3 compartments – which houses cartilage - Meniscus and joint surface cartilage that act as ‘shock absorbers’.

Strong ligaments such as the cruciate ligaments bind these compartments together. Damage to the cartilage and ligaments can occur in high- speed athletic injuries and can interfere with the joint integrity, such as when an AFL player does their ACL.

Joint surface cartilage can become a little rougher as we age and give rise to symptoms of osteoarthritis.


Anterior 'Front' Knee Pain

Pain at the front of the knee generally arises from 3 structures Knee cap joint (Patellofemoral joint)

Infrapatellar fat pad

 Patella tendon

We commonly see these issues in female adolescents, jumping athletes & long- distance runners.

Pain is typically aggravated by knee over toes positions, such as descending stairs


Lateral Knee Pain

A common problem that presents in long distance runners.

 Typically this is can be a problem associated with the cartilage in the lateral compartment &/OR an issue with the ITB insertion. The ITB is like a thick tendon that runs down the side of the thigh and is prone to injury in high distance running sports.


 What to look out for…………

An acute injury –Knee twisting or buckling, hearing an audible ‘POP’ and difficulty putting weight through knee.

Gradual onset pain – Does it get worse with activity or flare up post activity?

Knee swelling, giving way or locking?


While knee pain can affect your quality of life, there will always be a solution!

- Strength program

- Mobility program combined with some hands-on treatment

 - General exercise

 - Medical interventions

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