A meniscus tear isn’t reserved only for athletes. They can affect non-athletes as well. Symptoms can include difficulty bending your knee, sharp pain, difficulty walking or standing, and a popping sensation. Post Operative Meniscus Care If you opt for surgery, we provide post operative care intended to:

• Regain range of motion in your knee
• Reduce swelling from surgery
• Restore quadriceps strength
• Restore your gait pattern
• Reduce post-operative pain

Non-Operative Meniscus Care If you choose not to have surgery, we generally recommend a four stage rehabilitation program:

• Stage 1: We aim to regain range of motion, reduce any swelling, and restore your gait pattern if necessary.
• Stage 2: In stage 2 we focus on restoring quad and hamstring strength as well as function through exercises like lunges, step-ups, and squats.
• Stage 3: Our goal in stage 3 is to implement running, hopping, and jumping.
• Stage 4: In our final stage, the goal is to return you to sport.

Osgood-Shlatter disease is common in growing adolescents due to growth spurts and physical activity. Symptoms can include pain (especially when exercising or running), swelling below the kneecap, and tightness in the quads. In most patients it waxes and wanes over time. Osgood-Schlatter Disease Treatment The vast majority of adolescents with OSD see significant improvement through conservative treatment and rehab. Our treatment plan might include:

• Current management of OSD symptoms & pain management
• Load management; particularly in regards to running, jumping, and kicking
• Strengthening of the quads and glutes through exercise therapy

Osteoarthritis involves the deterioration of the cartilage around your knee. Some symptoms might include tenderness to the touch, swelling, pain when walking, stiffness, and popping or grinding. Osteoarthritis Treatment Osteoarthritis is unique in that treatment isn’t purely mechanical. Our goal is to understand the processes that drive pain related to OA and thoroughly treat every aspect. OA treatment requires the whole person and often includes psychological treatment as much as physical. It may also involve:

• Moderate exercise therapy
• Load management and body-weight management
• Education around pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome refers to pain at the front of your knee and around your kneecap (the patella tendon). It’s very common in those who regularly run or jump, and is often referred to as “runner’s knee.” Pain is usually present when you experience pain coming down the stairs, performing a squat or towards the middle or end of a run.

Treatment of PFP and other anterior knee pain might include:

• Educating you on the cause of the pain and how you might manage your training or exercise load to prevent a recurrence
• Patellar taping, manual therapy, and soft tissue massage for pain relief
• Hip, knee, and quad targeted exercise therapy
• Neuromuscular control exercises to improve hip and knee control
• Gait retraining
• Load and body-weight management
• Other exercises focused on meeting specific functional needs (running, jumping, climbing stairs, return to a specific sport)

Iliotibial band (IT band) syndrome symptoms might include knee pain after walking, pain on the outside of your knee, and swelling around the outside of your knee. ITB syndrome is often thought to be a manifestation of poor hip or quadricep strength. Treatment of ITBS might include:

• Understand and educating you on where and what the cause of the pain is
• Manual therapy and soft tissue massage for pain relief
• Knee and hip targeted exercises
• Neuromuscular control exercises to improve hip and knee control
• Load and body-weight management

Pes anserinus pain is another cause of anterior knee pain that occurs when the bursa (the fluid filled sac) inside your knee joint becomes irritated and swells. This swelling causes knee pain and tenderness.

• Manual therapy and soft tissue massage for pain relief over the hamstring muscles
• Targeted hip and knee exercises
• Load and body-weight management
• Neuromuscular control exercises to improve hip and knee control