Knee Pain Treatment
Table of Contents
What is Knee Pain?
Knee pain is a common musculoskeletal problem that affects people of all ages and genders. A myriad of reasons can cause people to suffer from knee pains. The reasons can be due to mechanical issues, injuries, and arthritis. If you are experiencing persistent discomfort, consulting a knee pain specialist in Singapore can help in diagnosing the underlying cause and recommendations for effective treatment options.
The knee joint is vulnerable in many ways (e.g. age, obesity, family history, knee injury and overuse), which could cause knee pain over time. However, there are many ways to treat knee pain: chiropractic treatment for knee pain and chiropractic adjustment for the knee. Our certified chiropractors will be able to advise you on the exercises and stretches you can do to reduce pain in the knee after your treatments.
At Healing Hands Chiropractic, our primary goal is to get to the root of the issue and handle your knee pain with precise, non-invasive techniques that help to relieve pain altogether. We aim to restore our patients’ physical capabilities to how they were before, enabling them to have a better quality of life through our chiropractic treatment for knee pain. Our chiropractors can also advise you on the best solutions for your knee injury and pain relief.
Knee Pain Facts!
- According to a study by Edelman Intelligence, Singaporeans spend about $8 billion each year on pain relief treatment.
- An article by Singapore General Hospital also stated that pain dramatically influences a person and affects their moods. Furthermore, it can affect sleep habits and even the quality of sleep, which can get a person on a bad start to their day.
- According to Health Hub Singapore, about 80 percent of adults suffer from lower back pain from time to time.
What are the associated symptoms of knee pain?
Knee pain is a prevalent ailment that affects people of all ages and activity levels. This discomfort, which can range from mild twinges to debilitating pain, can stem from a myriad of factors, including injuries, medical conditions, or simply the wear and tear from daily activities. Chiropractic treatment for knee pain offers a non-invasive approach to addressing underlying issues and promoting recovery. Given the complexity of the knee joint and the variety of potential causes, the symptoms of knee pain can manifest in diverse ways. Here are some common symptoms associated with knee pain:
- Pain: This can be sharp, dull, burning, or throbbing. The pain might be constant or might only occur when you move your knee in a certain way.
- Swelling: Fluid can accumulate in or around the knee joint, leading to visible swelling.
- Stiffness: A feeling that the movement of the knee is restricted.
- Redness and warmth: The skin around the knee may become red and feel warm to the touch, often indicating inflammation or infection.
- Weakness or instability: You might feel as though your knee might give out when you stand or walk.
- Popping or crunching noises: These sounds, known as crepitus, might be heard when the knee moves.
- Inability to fully straighten the knee: This can be due to pain, swelling, or mechanical blockage in the joint.
- Decreased range of motion: Difficulty bending or straightening the knee.
- Locking: The knee may get stuck in one position, usually due to a mechanical problem like a loose body in the joint.
- Visible deformity: The knee might look out of shape or misaligned, often seen after significant injuries like fractures or ligament ruptures.
The specific symptoms can provide clues about the underlying cause of knee pain. For instance, sudden pain and swelling after a twisting motion might suggest a torn meniscus, whereas a gradual onset of pain and swelling could indicate arthritis. If someone experiences severe knee pain, sudden swelling, an inability to bear weight on the knee, an obvious deformity, or any other concerning symptoms, they should seek medical attention promptly from a knee pain specialist in Singapore.
What are the complications from knee pain?
If left untreated or inadequately managed, knee pain can lead to various complications. These complications can further compromise the knee’s function, limit mobility, and diminish the quality of life. Some potential complications include:
- Chronic Pain: Knee pain can become persistent and chronic, leading to constant discomfort.
- Decreased Range of Motion: Persistent knee issues can limit the ability to fully extend or flex the knee.
- Muscle Weakness or Atrophy: Due to reduced mobility or non-use of the affected leg, the muscles around the knee and in the leg can weaken or decrease in size.
- Joint Instability: Some conditions or injuries can make the knee less stable, increasing the risk of falls or re-injury.
- Joint Deformity: Arthritic conditions, particularly rheumatoid arthritis or untreated injuries, can lead to permanent deformities in the knee joint.
- Development or Worsening of Osteoarthritis: Untreated knee injuries, such as ligament or meniscus tears, can accelerate the wear and tear on the joint, potentially leading to osteoarthritis.
- Compensatory Issues: Chronic knee pain might cause an individual to change their walking pattern, which can lead to issues in other joints like the hips, ankles, or lower back.
- Mobility Issues: Severe knee pain can make it difficult to perform everyday activities like walking, climbing stairs, or getting up from a chair, leading to decreased independence.
It is crucial to address knee pain early to minimise the risk of such complications. Regular consultation with healthcare professionals, combined with appropriate interventions such as physical therapy, chiropractic treatment, medications, lifestyle modifications, or surgery can help manage the symptoms and prevent complications.
The common causes of knee pain:
Knee pain can be the result of an injury, such as a torn ligament or cartilage, or other medical conditions, such as infections, arthritis, and gout. Here is a brief overview of the potential causes of knee pain:
- Arthritis: Among all forms of arthritis, osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common knee complaint, which accounts for around 95%. OA is typically the result of wear and tear that causes progressive loss or thinning of cartilage at the knee joint. Knee OA is no longer restricted to the elderly. Young adults who are active in sports or have knee injuries also have a higher chance of developing arthritis.
- Injuries: Falls, awkward movement, direct blows to the knee, sudden twists or changes in direction, or excessive force and overuse of the knee during sports can result in a range of injuries to the knee joint and the structures surrounding it, such as the ligaments and tendons.
- Repeated Stress (Overwork): Intense exercise, running, prolonged squatting, and climbing steps can all put additional stress on our knees. It also applies to occupations involving prolonged standing, sitting, or excessive heavy lifting and sports involving high-impact pounding on the joint. As a result, the muscles and the joints will be constantly activated to do their jobs, eventually leading to weakness and pain. It may also be related to biomechanical abnormalities ranging from hip and foot disorders.
- Poor Posture: When it comes to our knees, it is essential to have our muscles, ligaments, and joints to be correctly aligned. Improper or poor posture, such as sitting with our legs crossed or bent underneath us, will put extra pressure on our kneecaps, leading to discomfort and pain.
- Dislocated kneecap: This involves the displacement of the triangular bone (patella) that covers the front of the knee.
- Iliotibial band syndrome: A thick bundle of fibres called iliotibial band runs from the hip down to the shin. If it becomes tight, it might rub against the outer portion of the thigh bone.
- Loose body: Sometimes, bone or cartilage can break off and float in the joint space.
- Hip or foot pain: If you have hip or foot pain, you might change the way you walk to spare these painful joints. But this altered gait can place more stress on your knee joint.
It is important to remember that the knee is a complex joint, and pain can be caused by a combination of issues. Consulting a chiropractor for knee and joint pain can help address underlying musculoskeletal imbalances. Proper diagnosis by a medical professional is crucial for identifying the cause and getting appropriate treatment.
Do I need to see a doctor for knee pain? When should I see a doctor?
Not all knee pain episodes require a doctor’s visit, but it is crucial to recognise when medical intervention might be necessary. Here is a general guideline:
- Severe Pain: If the pain is intense and unbearable, it is a good indication that you should seek medical attention.
- Sudden Onset: Knee pain that arises suddenly, especially after trauma such as a fall, accident, or direct blow, should be evaluated.
- Swelling: Acute or severe swelling of the knee following an injury or without a clear cause is a reason to visit a doctor.
- Deformity: If your knee looks misshapen or out of alignment, it could indicate a serious injury like a fracture or dislocation.
- Instability: If your knee feels unstable, gives out, or if you can’t bear weight on it, you should get it checked out.
- Decreased Range of Motion: If you find it difficult to fully bend or straighten your knee.
- Signs of Infection: Warmth, redness, and fever accompanying knee pain can be signs of an infection.
- Popping or Crunching Noises: While some noise in the knee can be normal, a loud pop at the time of injury could indicate a ligament tear.
- Pain Lasting More Than a Few Days: Mild knee pain that doesn’t improve after a few days of home treatment might indicate a more serious issue.
- Locking: If your knee locks up and you can’t bend or straighten it.
- Night Pain: If knee pain disrupts your sleep or if you experience pain at rest.
- Underlying Conditions: If you have a known medical condition, like rheumatoid arthritis, and experience new or worsening knee pain.
If you are unsure about the severity of your knee pain or if the symptoms don’t seem to align with the reasons listed above, it is always a good idea to err on the side of caution and seek medical advice. A primary care physician can be a good starting point, and they might refer you to an orthopedic specialist if needed.
For mild knee pain, rest, ice, compression, and elevation (often referred to as the R.I.C.E. method) can be beneficial. Over-the-counter pain relievers can also be helpful, but they should be used as directed and not for extended periods without consulting a doctor.
What are the treatments for knee pain?
The treatment for knee pain depends on the underlying cause, severity, and the patient’s overall health status. Below are some common treatments for knee pain:
Chiropractic Adjustment: Direct adjustments to the knee can help realign the joint, relieve pressure, and reduce pain. This might involve a gentle, controlled movement to the knee to bring it back to its proper position. Imbalances or misalignments in the pelvis or spine can lead to altered gait patterns, which can place additional stress on the knees. By adjusting these areas, a chiropractor aims to restore a correct movement pattern, which can alleviate knee stress and pain.
Medication:
- Analgesics: Pain relievers like paracetamol.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): Such as ibuprofen and naproxen, can relieve pain and reduce inflammation.
- Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs): For rheumatoid arthritis, which can affect the knees.
Injections:
- Corticosteroid injections: These can help reduce symptoms of an arthritic flare and provide pain relief that can last several months.
- Hyaluronic acid injections: This is a substance similar to the fluid naturally found in your knee joints. It can provide lubrication and shock absorption for the joint, which can be especially useful in osteoarthritis.
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections: Increasingly being used for osteoarthritis and other conditions, they use a concentration of the patient’s own platelets to encourage healing.
Surgery:
- Arthroscopic surgery: Minimally invasive surgery to remove loose bodies, repair torn meniscus or ligaments, or address other issues inside the knee joint.
- Partial knee replacement: Only the most damaged portion of the knee is replaced.
- Total knee replacement (arthroplasty): A surgical procedure to replace the damaged surfaces of the knee joint with artificial parts.
- Osteotomy: The bone is cut to realign the knee, shifting weight from an area where there is damaged tissue to an area with more of healthy tissue.
Joint fusion: This is a procedure where the bones in the joint are fused, providing stability but limiting movement.
Remember that the most appropriate treatment for knee pain varies by individual and is dependent on the cause, location, and severity of pain, as well as the patient’s age, activity level, and overall health. It is essential to consult with a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment recommendations.
Is chiropractic treatment good for knee pain? Should i see a chiropractor?
Chiropractic treatment can be beneficial for some individuals with knee pain, but its effectiveness can vary depending on the root cause of the pain, the techniques employed, and the individual’s specific circumstances. Here is a breakdown of some potential benefits and considerations regarding chiropractic care for knee pain:
- Holistic Approach: Chiropractors often take a holistic view of patient health. Instead of just focusing on the knee, they might assess the entire musculoskeletal system, including the spine and pelvis, to see if other imbalances might be contributing to knee pain.
- Non-invasive: Chiropractic adjustments are non-invasive, making them an attractive option for those who want to avoid medications or surgery.
- Immediate Relief: Some patients report immediate relief after an adjustment, though this can vary between individuals.
- Improved Mobility: Adjustments and associated therapies can lead to increased range of motion in some patients.
- Addressing Root Causes: If knee pain is due to misalignment or biomechanical issues, chiropractic care can directly address these root causes.
In conclusion, chiropractic care can be beneficial for some individuals with knee pain. It is essential to ensure that it is the right option for your specific circumstances. Consulting with other healthcare professionals and conducting thorough research can help you make an informed decision.
At Healing Hands, we specialise in treating knee pain and injuries in Singapore. Our team is skilled in providing chiropractic adjustments for knee pain and misalignment. Using an X-ray scan, our chiropractor will assess your spine’s alignment from top to bottom. A consultation will follow to evaluate if your medical history permits chiropractic care. If suitable, the chiropractor will perform adjustments over several sessions to improve spinal alignment, while also teaching exercises to enhance mobility and flexibility, helping to maintain the benefits of the adjustments.
Why Choose Us?
With 15 years of experience in the field, Healing Hands Chiropractic boasts a team of skilled chiropractors committed to providing relief and effective management. We specialise in alleviating various health problems and helping you manage pain through holistic and proven methods. As one of the most highly reviewed and trusted chiropractic clinics in Singapore, Healing Hands Chiropractic has earned over 1600 five-star reviews, along with genuine before-and-after patient photos for proven results. You can trust us with your health and well-being!
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What To Expect During Your 1st Visit
We assess postural imbalances by evaluating the deviation of various body parts from the head down to the feet. The Tyron thermographic spinal scan measures temperature along the spine, highlighting areas with higher activity indicating possible dysfunction.
A one-on-one consultation with our chiropractors includes a thorough review of your health history. Our chiropractor will assess your condition and guide you on the next steps to achieve your health goals.
Our chiropractors will conduct a series of tests to evaluate your current physical state. If clinically appropriate, an adjustment will be performed.
Using their hands or an instrument, our chiropractors apply controlled force to the spinal joints. A “pop” or “crack” sound may occur during the adjustment, which is normal as it releases trapped gas from the joints.
X-rays may be prescribed to ensure an accurate diagnosis before creating a personalised treatment plan. This step is also for your safety, helping us rule out any underlying conditions that chiropractic care cannot address. If you choose to have your X-rays taken with our preferred diagnostic partners, reviewing them will be complimentary at your next visit.
The review of your X-rays is complimentary at your following visit if you take up the X-rays with our preferred diagnostic partners.
Frequently Asked Questions
A chiropractor offers non-invasive treatments aimed at improving body function and performance through spinal adjustments and joint realignment.
Chiropractors generally believe that the body has an inherent ability to heal itself, with chiropractic adjustments helping to facilitate this process. They often use tools such as the flexion distraction therapy, E-stim, Denneroll, and functional exercises. Other treatment methods like ultrasound and bodywork are also used to assist patients in regaining their health.
It is advisable to consult a chiropractor if you are experiencing discomfort, pain, or aches in your muscles or joints. You can find a list of the conditions we treat here.
Don’t wait until you are in significant pain or dealing with numbness to see a chiropractor. Pain is often the last symptom to appear but the first to disappear after treatment.
Book your appointment with the highest-rated chiropractor in Singapore today.
Chiropractic adjustments are generally not painful. However, if you have an acute injury (one that is recent) or a sub-acute injury (on the road to recovery), your muscles or ligaments may be sensitive to touch. These are exceptions.
A thorough examination of your condition will address any concerns you may have.
The thermographic scan is a safe and precise tool that scans the full spine or specific segments in about 15 seconds. It detects areas of asymmetry and highlights regions with increased temperature, often due to acute soft tissue damage.
The Tytron scanner uses specialised sensors, lenses, and a unique focusing system to provide the most accurate data. You will receive a printout of your results during your first visit.
Book your first appointment with us to begin your Healing Hands chiropractic journey.
X-rays are recommended if you want to approach your condition holistically and identify the root cause. They help ensure patient safety by ruling out underlying conditions that chiropractic adjustments cannot treat. Just like routine health checkups, X-rays provide valuable insights into your spinal health, as our eyes can only offer a limited view.
Chiropractors use their hands or a small device to apply controlled force to spinal joints. A “crack” or “pop” sound may be heard during the adjustment, which happens as gases trapped in the joints are released.
A “Crack” or “Pop” sound may occur as your spine gets manipulated. Do not be alarmed, as the adjustment releases trapped gasses from your joints.
Yes, we have both male and female chiropractors at Healing Hands Chiropractic Singapore. All of our chiropractors provide personalised care, using proven techniques and focusing on the most efficient treatment plans. They embody our core values of patient care, integrity, and attention to detail.
Yes, neck adjustments are considered safe when performed by a trained chiropractor. Our chiropractors at Healing Hands ensure that the treatment is clinically appropriate for you before proceeding. X-rays are often required for more customised treatments, ensuring your body can safely receive the adjustment.
Chiropractic care offers several benefits, such as reducing pain and increasing joint mobility. We have discussed these advantages in more detail in our article here.
Though concerns about the safety of chiropractic adjustments exist, when performed by a skilled professional, spinal manipulation is widely regarded as safe and effective for treating acute pain.
Since 2010, Healing Hands Chiropractic Singapore has assisted thousands of patients, many of whom have experienced significant improvements from our treatments. Our goal is to raise awareness about chiropractic care and its ability to address a variety of conditions in Singapore.
Currently, there are 150 chiropractors in Singapore, and finding the right one can be challenging. To help, we have written an article on 5 ways to find a good chiropractor. Here is a brief summary:
- Understand your health goals.
- Look for integrity and confidence in the chiropractor.
- Consider reviews or word of mouth.
- Assess the chiropractor’s clinical competency and experience.
- Ensure the chiropractor is willing to refer you to specialists if necessary.
