Chiropractic Care in Naperville for Knee Pain 
 

Knee pain is a common complaint that affects people of all ages. Knee pain may be the result of an injury, such as a ruptured ligament or torn cartilage. It may also be caused by medical conditions including arthritis, gout and infections. Our chiropractic doctors are trained to identify the cause of your knee pain and recommend a plan of care. If you are suffering from a knee injury, knee pain that just won’t go away, are unable to fully extend or flex your knee, have knee swelling, or feel like your knee gives out, set up an appointment with us.

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Many causes of knee pain can be helped by rehabilitative therapy, myofascial release, acupuncture, and chiropractic adjustments. Your doctor will gather your health information and discuss your concerns.

We may ask you some of the following questions:

• Do you experience any swelling, instability or locking of the knee?

• Do you exercise or play sports?

• Was the knee pain caused by an injury?

• Are you experiencing symptoms in other areas, or just in your knee?

• Have you ever had knee pain before?

 

Before your appointment at DuPage Health and Physical Therapy in Naperville, IL consider the following questions:

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• When did you begin experiencing knee pain?

• Was there a specific injury that caused your knee pain?

• Have your symptoms been constant or occasional?

• How severe is your knee pain?

• Does anything help reduce your knee pain?

• What makes your knee pain worse? 

• Are you taking any medications or supplements for your knee pain?

 

The location and severity of knee pain may vary, depending on the cause of the problem. Signs and symptoms that sometimes accompany knee pain include:

 

• Pain and swelling

• Stiffness

• Redness and warmth to the touch

• Weakness or instability

• Popping or crunching noises

• Inability to fully straighten the knee

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A knee injury can affect any of the ligaments, tendons or fluid-filled sacs (bursae) that surround your knee joint as well as the bones, cartilage and ligaments that form the joint itself. 

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Not all knee pain is serious. But some knee injuries and medical conditions, such as osteoarthritis, can lead to increasing pain, joint damage and disability if left untreated. And having a knee injury makes it more likely that you'll have similar injuries in the future.

 

Knee injuries that cause pain:

 

Patellar tendinitis

Tendinitis causes irritation and inflammation of one or more tendons — the thick, fibrous tissues that attach muscles to bones. This inflammation can happen when there's an injury to the patellar tendon, which runs from the kneecap (patella) to the shinbone and allows you to kick, run and jump. Runners, skiers, cyclists, and those involved in jumping sports and activities may develop patellar tendinitis.

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ACL injury

An anterior cruciate ligament ACL injury involves one of four ligaments that connect your shinbone to your thighbone. An ACL injury is particularly common in people who play basketball, soccer or other sports that require sudden changes in direction.

 

Fractures

The bones of the knee, including the kneecap (patella), can be broken during falls or auto accidents. Also, people whose bones have been weakened by osteoporosis can sometimes sustain a knee fracture simply by stepping wrong.

 

Torn meniscus

The meniscus is the tough, rubbery cartilage that acts as a shock absorber between your shinbone and thighbone. Meniscus tears can happen if you suddenly twist your knee while bearing weight on it.

 

Knee bursitis

Some knee injuries cause inflammation in the bursae, the small sacs of fluid that cushion the outside of your knee joint so that tendons and ligaments glide smoothly over the joint.

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Mechanical problems that can cause knee pain:

 

Iliotibial band syndrome

The hip and knee work together and this occurs when the tough band of tissue that extends from the outside of your hip to the outside of your knee (iliotibial band) becomes so tight that it rubs against the outer portion of your thigh bone. Distance runners and cyclists are especially susceptible to iliotibial band syndrome.

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Loose body

Sometimes injury or degeneration of bone or cartilage can cause a piece of bone or cartilage to break off and float in the joint space. This may not create any problems unless the loose body interferes with knee joint movement, in which case the effect is something like a pencil caught in a door hinge.

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Hip or foot pain.

If you have hip or foot pain, you may change the way you walk to spare your painful joint. But this altered gait can place more stress on your knee joint and cause knee pain.

Dislocated kneecap. This occurs when the triangular bone that covers the front of your knee (patella) slips out of place, usually to the outside of your knee. In some cases, the kneecap may stay displaced and you'll be able to see the dislocation.

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Many different types of arthridities exist. The varieties most likely to affect the knee include:

 

Osteoarthritis

Sometimes called degenerative arthritis, osteoarthritis is one of the most common causes of knee arthritis. It's a wear-and-tear condition that occurs when the cartilage in your knee deteriorates with use and age.

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Rheumatoid arthritis

The most debilitating form of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition that can affect almost any joint in your body, including your knees. Although rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease, it tends to vary in severity and may even come and go.

Gout. This type of arthritis occurs when uric acid crystals build up in the joint. While gout most commonly affects the big toe, it can also occur in the knee.

 

Pseudogout

Often mistaken for gout, pseudogout is caused by calcium-containing crystals that develop in the joint fluid. Knees are the most common joint affected by pseudogout.

Septic arthritis. Sometimes your knee joint can become infected, leading to swelling, pain and redness. Septic arthritis often occurs with a fever, and there's usually no trauma before the onset of pain. Septic arthritis can quickly cause extensive damage to the knee cartilage. If you have knee pain with any of the symptoms of septic arthritis, see your doctor right away.

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Patellofemoral pain syndrome 

This refers to pain arising between the kneecap and the underlying thighbone. At DuPage Health and Physical Therapy in Naperville we find this condition common in athletes; in young adults, especially those whose kneecap doesn't track properly in its groove; and in older adults, who usually develop the condition as a result of arthritis of the kneecap.

 

During the physical exam, your doctor is likely to:

Inspect your knee for swelling, pain, tenderness, warmth and visible bruising. We will also check to see how far you can move your lower leg in different directions. Your doctor may also push on or pull the joint to evaluate the integrity of the structures in your knee. We may also order imaging tests, such as x-ray or MRI. If we suspect an infection or inflammation, we will likely order blood tests.

 

Treatment for knee pain

Treatments will vary, depending upon what exactly is causing your knee pain. Doctors at DuPage Health and Physical Therapy in Naperville recommend a plan of care and be ready to answer your questions.

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Nonsurgical rehabilitative therapy

Strengthening the muscles around your knee will make it more stable. We may recommend  therapy or different types of strengthening exercises based on the specific condition that is causing your pain. We offer chiropractic for knee pain in Naperville.

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If you are physically active or practice a sport, you may need exercises to correct movement patterns that may be affecting your knees and to establish good technique during your sport or activity. We can recommend exercises to improve your flexibility, balance and strength. Your doctor can also provide knee mobilization to increase range of motion and restore function.

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Acupuncture for knee pain

Research suggests that acupuncture may help relieve knee pain caused by osteoarthritis. Acupuncture at DuPage Health and Physical Therapy in Naperville involves the placement of hair-thin needles into your skin at specific places on your body.

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If you are looking for a chiropractor in Naperville or acupuncture in Naperville, set up an appointment with us. Our doctors can help you with pain management and recommendations to help you feel like yourself again.