Cómo ayuda la fisioterapia en la recuperación de lesiones de rodilla
When you are trying to recover from a knee injury, you may start physical therapy as part of the rehabilitation process. This type of therapy can help restore strength and flexibility to the knee joint. Relying on a physical therapist in New York allows you to enjoy the benefits of using physical therapy for knee pain. Goals for Using Physical Therapy for Knee Pain and Injuries When attending a New York physical therapy appointment for the first time, you and your therapist probably will set goals. Whether you’re looking for pain relief, improved strength, or better range of motion after your knee injury, goals help your therapist determine the right plan to follow. Your therapist will perform tests to determine your current condition before putting together the best possible treatment plan to match your goals. Many knee injury patients have more than one goal they want to achieve with physical therapy. Reducing Pain According to a report published by the journal Academic Emergency Medicine, emergency departments in the United States treat about 6.6 million knee injuries annually. Emergency medical care may focus on immediate pain reduction with medication. When you want to reduce the need for opioid medication to deal with the pain from a knee injury, physical therapy works. Using physical therapy pain management techniques may reduce the need for the use of opioids by as much as 87%. Exercises that are part of physical therapy for knee pain alleviation include: Straight leg raises Step-ups Quad sets Soft tissue massage Strengthening the Knee Strengthening the muscles around the knee may help improve stability. This is important after a knee injury where you did not use the knee or bear weight on the leg for several days or weeks. Muscles can weaken when you don’t use them after the injury. Your physical therapist may focus on strengthening the muscles like the hamstrings, calves, and quadriceps to strengthen the knee joint. They may use exercises like: Calf raises Straight leg raises Quad sets Hamstring curls Improving Flexibility After a knee injury, having stiffness in the joint is common. Physical therapists will emphasize flexibility exercises when you have a goal of improving flexibility in the knee. The therapist may focus less on muscle strengthening and more on joint mobilization by using exercises that stretch muscles and tendons. The stretching process needs to occur slowly to avoid a re-injury. Some of the exercises that may help with improving flexibility include: Heel slides Calf stretches Hamstring stretches Sliding into a squat position while leaning the back against the wall Soft tissue massage Regaining Balance If you are in post-surgery recovery from a knee ligament tear, regaining your balance can be challenging. ACL tear recovery and muscle imbalance correction often have a relationship with each other. Doing physical therapy for knee pain may help in both situations. By regaining balance, you may reduce the risk of a fall that could significantly hinder your injury recovery process. You can move more confidently when you have better balance, which could reduce the chance of a stumble that could tweak the injury and set you back. Some of the exercises that may help with regaining balance include: Standing on one leg Using a balance board Lunges Sticking With Physical Therapy According to YouGov, about half of all Americans have received care from a physical therapist. Many studies show that early intervention with physical therapy is a key step for successful rehabilitation after an injury. However, people might not keep up with physical therapy after making some improvements. According to research published by Musculoskeletal Care, only about 11% of Americans with knee injuries continue to use physical therapy a year after the diagnosis. After making some improvements, you can continue to see a physical therapist to maintain the flexibility in the knee ligaments. When a therapist helps you continue to focus on exercises that strengthen muscles and encourage proper movement techniques, it may reduce the chance of re-injury. Doing Home Exercises for Knee Pain It’s important to follow the advice of the physical therapist for knee-strengthening exercises to do at home. Additionally, the therapist may suggest focusing on at-home movement techniques that help your body and knee work in tandem. The techniques you can emphasize while recovering at home include: Maintaining proper posture Improving body mechanics Focusing on balance Using cold therapy, massage, or electrical stimulation to help with swelling and pain Call Us Today for Help With Physical Therapy for Knee Pain At Quantum Physical Therapy & Chiropractic Care, PLLC, we treat patients throughout the New York City metro area. Doctors listed in our directory accept most insurance plans, including workers’ compensation, no-fault, and PIP (personal injury protection). Same-day appointments may be available. If you’re interested in trying physical therapy techniques for rehabilitation, we can help. To learn more or to schedule a first appointment to start physical therapy after a knee injury, call us today at (646) 737-6524. Frequently Asked Questions When you need pain management techniques for your knee injury, reach out to our New York physical therapy professionals for advice. What Should I Expect at My First Knee Pain Physical Therapy Appointment? During your first physical therapy appointment, your physical therapist will ask you various questions about your knee pain and medical history. They can then work with you to develop the ideal treatment plan. What Does a Physical Therapist Do for Knee Pain? A physical therapist will take multiple steps to help with knee pain, including focusing on protecting the knee joint while strengthening and stretching the muscles around the injured joint. Should I Rest or Move When I Have Knee Pain? You should rest and move when you have knee pain. Ask your New York physical therapy professional for advice on how much to rest, move, ice, and elevate the knee to reduce pain. When Should I Start Physical Therapy for Knee Pain? You should start physical therapy for knee pain as soon as you notice a reduction in swelling from any injury. Consult your doctor about the appropriate start date for