A bad knee injury can really throw a wrench into your plans. It becomes harder to walk, climb stairs, and participate in your favorite sports or other recreational activities. Many people assume their only option is to mask the discomfort with pain medication–or undergo surgery. In reality, there’s a third choice: physical therapy.

Physical therapy provides an effective, evidence-based alternative for many knee injuries that can help you recover strength, mobility, and function. At SMART Sports Medicine, we’ll work with you to develop a treatment program that addresses your knee injury directly–that way, you can get back to living your life without going under the knife.

Some of the Common Knee Injuries We Help Treat

There’s more than one way to hurt your knee. Here are a few of the injuries we frequently see at our clinic:

Ligament Injuries 

• Your knee contains four main ligaments, and damage can range from mild overstretching to a complete rupture. While severe ligament injuries will generally require surgery to regain full function, mild injuries respond well to physical therapy. In both cases, our team is here to help you stabilize your knee joint and regain lower body strength.

Meniscus Tears

• A meniscus tear occurs when the cartilage in the knee joint is damaged, often from twisting or sudden movements. Like ligament tears, a severe meniscus tear may require surgery. However, physical therapy can strengthen the surrounding muscles, improve joint stability, and reduce pain, making it a non-surgical option for many cases.

Jumper’s Knee

• Jumper’s knee (or patellar tendinitis) is an inflammation of the tendon connecting the kneecap to the shinbone. Targeted exercises and stretching can reduce symptoms while preventing further injury.

Runner’s Knee

• Runner’s knee (or patellofemoral pain syndrome) is a condition where pain develops around the kneecap, often due to overuse or misalignment. Physical therapy focuses on correcting imbalances, improving knee alignment, and strengthening the leg muscles to relieve pain and enhance function.

Why Is Physical Therapy a Good Choice for These Injuries?

Physical therapy focuses on natural healing by using the body’s mechanisms. Instead of masking pain or removing damaged tissue, it encourages muscles, ligaments, and tendons to rebuild strength and function. 

Three Benefits of Physical Therapy Over Surgery or Pain Medication

It Has Fewer Risks

• Surgery is hard on your body, and it brings with it a host of risks, from blood clots to long-term complications. Medications can cause unwanted side effects or, in some cases, dependency, making them riskier as well. Physical therapy’s all-natural approach sidesteps these concerns.

It Provides Personalized Care

• We tailor our physical therapy treatments to your specific injury. Your first session will consist of a comprehensive assessment in which we review your symptoms, health history, and recovery goals. We use this information to craft a one-of-a-kind treatment program.

It Takes a Holistic Approach

• Physical therapy’s emphasis on targeted exercises and its whole-body approach to treatment can help improve your overall health and well-being. In fact, our ultimate aim is to address the underlying causes that contributed to your injury in the first place, helping to minimize your risk of future injuries.

What To Expect From Your Treatment Program

Our team pulls from several techniques to ensure you get the care you need. After your initial assessment, here’s a general overview of what you can expect:

Pain Management

• Techniques like manual therapy and treatment modalities like hot or cold therapy can help reduce your pain while facilitating your body’s healing processes.

Mobility Work

• Improving your knee’s range of motion is an essential early step. It helps you move better, preventing falls and making it easier for you to move through treatment.

Strengthening Exercises

• Strengthening the muscles around your knee provides additional support and stability to the joint, helping to reduce pain and your risk of another injury.

Balance Training

• A knee injury can affect your balance and gait. These specialized exercises will keep you on your feet.

Functional Training

• Finally, we’ll work with you to improve your ability to perform day-to-day tasks, like climbing stairs. We’ll also provide you with a return-to-activity schedule to get back to what you love.

Call Today To Get Started 

Choosing physical therapy for knee injuries is a proactive step toward recovery. Schedule an appointment with SMART Sports Medicine to learn more about what physical therapy offers!

The Benefits of Choosing Physical Therapy Over Surgery and Medication

Physical therapy at SMART Sports Medicine is a cost-effective way to manage injuries and chronic conditions, as compared to the more expensive and invasive options of surgery and long-term medication use.

Cost Comparison: Physical Therapy vs. Surgery and Medication

While the immediate costs of physical therapy sessions might appear significant, they generally amount to much less than the combined expenses related to surgical interventions. 

Surgery not only includes the cost of the procedure itself but may also include a hospital stay, post-operative care, and the rehabilitation process. These procedures also introduce risks such as possible infections, complications, and the need for additional surgeries if outcomes are not as expected. The recovery from surgery can extend over a long period, necessitating time away from work and accruing costs for follow-up treatments.

In contrast, managing a condition with medication might seem economically viable in the short term but can lead to considerable expenses over time. Medications typically address symptoms rather than the root cause and can result in side effects or dependency.

Key Benefits of Physical Therapy:

• Non-Invasive Treatment: Physical therapy focuses on enhancing mobility, reducing pain, and treating the underlying issues through exercises and treatments, avoiding the risks associated with surgery.
• Cost-Effective: Avoiding surgery and minimizing medication can lead to significant financial savings and better health outcomes.
• Preventative Care: Physical therapy can reduce the likelihood of conditions worsening to the point where expensive and invasive treatments become necessary.

Physical therapy at SMART Sports Medicine not only aids in immediate recovery but also promotes long-term health, potentially saving patients from the high costs and risks associated with surgery and ongoing medication. By investing in physical therapy, individuals can enjoy a cost-effective path to recovery, emphasizing improved function and preventative care for a healthier future.