Pain in the knees can interfere with many basic activities like running, walking and even sitting. Causes of knee pain can range from issues within the knee itself to those in the back and spine or even in the nerves! Let the professionals at HealthSource find the cause of your pain and get you back to living!

Causes:
The source of knee pain is due to injury to the muscles, joints, discs, or nerves. Most often knee pain is caused by repetitive injury, overuse, or muscle straining due to improper walking / running over a long period of time. It is important to ensure knees are not turned in or turned out when walking or exercising. Over long periods of time, degenerative changes can occur due to unbalanced pressure over years of use. Other causes include fracture, trauma, dislocation.
In growing children knee pain may be due to ‘growing pains’. Discomfort felt in the joint may be due to the growth plate, where the bone is actually getting longer. Occasionally, the tendon from the patella may pull on the tibia causing Osgood-Schlatters Disease.

Risk Factors:
Risk factors include flat feet, high arches, and repetitive activities.

Signs and Symptoms:
~ Pain deep inside the knee
~ Numbness or weakness of the toes, feet, calves, or thigh

Tests:
Orthopedic, neurological, and chiropractic exams are performed for proper diagnosis. X-rays or MRI may need to be ordered for proper diagnosis.

Treatment:
Treatment ALWAYS begins with conservative pain management at HealthSource of Portland through chiropractic and progressive rehab. Following acute pain relief, rehabilitation begins to support the spine in proper alignment and to strengthen weakened muscles. HealthSource combines massage, chiropractic, and rehabilitation to provide rapid relief and lasting results.

Allopathic medical treatment often includes pain medication and muscle relaxants. Surgical intervention is needed with mores severe problems.