Knee Pain
Knee pain, swelling or a knee that gives way often comes from runner's knee, a meniscus tear, a ligament sprain such as the ACL, tendinitis or arthritis. Many knee injuries can be rehabbed without surgery, and when surgery is needed, physical therapy before and after helps. Western Slope Rehab and Performance treats knee pain in Grand Junction, Fruita, Palisade, Orchard Mesa, Appleton, Clifton and the Redlands.
Knee problems we treat
Runner's knee
Patellofemoral pain around or behind the kneecap.
- Pain going up stairs
- Pain when squatting
Meniscus tears
Catching, swelling or locking.
- Twisting injuries
- Gradual wear
Ligament sprains and ACL tears
Giving way or instability after a pivot or hit.
- Sprains
- ACL tears
Tendon and IT band pain
Overuse pain at the front or side of the knee.
- Patellar tendinitis (jumper's knee)
- IT band syndrome
Knee arthritis
Stiffness, swelling and pain with activity.
- Morning stiffness
- Walking, stairs, squatting
Why your knee hurts, and what is usually behind it
The knee sits between the hip and the foot, and it often takes the blame for what those joints are doing. Weak hips, stiff ankles and sudden jumps in training or work can all overload it. Your physical therapist looks at the whole leg, how you squat, step and land, then builds the plan from there.
If your pain is higher up, see Hip Pain. If it starts at the ankle or foot, see Foot & Ankle Pain.
What your knee rehab can include
- Strengthening and loading through Therapeutic Exercise
- Blood flow restriction training to build muscle with lighter loads when joints are irritable
- Manual therapy for stiff or tender areas
- Neuromuscular training for control, balance and landing
- Kinesiology taping and Dry Needling where they fit
Meniscus and ACL injuries: surgery or rehab?
Many meniscus tears and ligament sprains do well with a focused rehab plan, and your doctor helps decide if surgery is the right step. A full ACL tear is a bigger question and depends on your knee and what you want to do.
Whichever way it goes, strength before surgery and a staged program after it make a difference. See Pre-Surgical Physical Therapy and Post-Surgical Rehab. Return-to-sport testing is covered on Sports Injury Rehab, and joint wear on Arthritis & Joint Pain.
Get back to stairs, squats and trails
We serve Grand Junction, Fruita, Palisade, Orchard Mesa, Appleton, Clifton and the Redlands. You can start physical therapy without a referral from a doctor in most cases. Some insurance plans, including Medicare, still need a doctor to sign the plan of care. Call (970) 314-9822 or see Direct Access.
We see patients from Grand Junction and the surrounding Grand Valley: Fruita, Palisade, Orchard Mesa, Appleton, Clifton and the Redlands.