Knee pain in
Chillicothe, Ohio and Waverly, Ohio
Premium physical therapy for active adults and athletes
The Knee Joint
The tibiofemoral joint, commonly known as the knee joint, is a modified hinge joint that primarily allows flexion and extension, with a small degree of rotation near full extension. It is stabilized by key ligaments—the ACL, PCL, MCL, and LCL—which help control movement and maintain joint integrity.
The knee also contains two crescent-shaped structures called the menisci, which act as shock absorbers and help distribute load across the joint. Additional support comes from the quadriceps and patellar tendons, which play a crucial role in force transmission and movement.
What Causes Knee Pain
Because of the high demands placed on it during activities like running, jumping, and sports, the knee is particularly susceptible to a variety of injuries.
ACL injuries: The ACL is a commonly injured ligament inside of the knee joint that is crucial for stability of the knee. It is commonly injured during athletics or with trauma such as falls.
Meniscus tears: Meniscus tears are injuries to the knee’s cartilage shock absorbers, often causing joint line pain, swelling, mechanical symptoms (locking or catching), and impaired knee stability during weight-bearing activities.
Patellar tendinitis (runner’s knee): Patellar tendinitis (jumper’s knee) is an overuse injury of the patellar tendon characterized by knee pain and localized tenderness just beneath the patella typically aggravated by jumping, running, and repetitive loading activities.
Patellofemoral pain syndrome (runner’s knee): Patellofemoral pain syndrome (runner’s knee) is characterized by diffuse anterior knee pain arising from maltracking or increased stress at the patellofemoral joint, typically aggravated by activities such as squatting, stair negotiation, prolonged sitting, or running.
Hamstring strains: Injuries to the muscles in the back of the thigh typically caused by excessive stretch or high-speed contraction during activities like sprinting or jumping. They present with sudden pain, tenderness, and impaired strength or flexibility, often limiting running and functional movement.
Quad strains: Quadriceps strains are injuries to the anterior thigh muscles, typically resulting from forceful contraction or excessive stretch during activities like sprinting, kicking, or jumping. They present with localized pain, tenderness, swelling, and reduced strength, often limiting knee extension and functional mobility.
IT band Syndrome: Pain on the outside of the knee caused by tension of the muscles that attach to the IT band. IT band syndrome may also present as hip pain. It can become aggravated with repetitive activities such as running, cycling, or repetitive knee flexion/extension.
How do I fix my knee pain?
Physical therapy is an effective, non-surgical solution for treating knee pain while helping you return to the activities you enjoy. Our process begins with a comprehensive assessment to identify the root cause of your symptoms—not just where it hurts, but why it’s happening.
From there, we develop a personalized plan based on your specific needs, goals, and activity level. Whether you’re dealing with daily discomfort or limitations in exercise, your treatment is tailored to help you move better as efficiently as possible.
Sessions typically combine hands-on techniques, such as soft tissue work, joint mobilization, dry needling, or cupping, to help reduce pain and improve mobility, followed by targeted exercises designed to restore strength, stability, and movement quality around the knee and lower extremity. As you progress, we shift the focus toward building resilience and preventing future issues.
The goal isn’t just short-term relief—it’s long-term results that keep you moving confidently.
Get a jump on fixing your knee pain with these short videos below!
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