By: Ian Nay, PT, DPT, OCS There is a clear psychological component with both knee sleeves and belts. Athletes consistently report improved confidence and a greater sense of stability when using them. That matters. In both Physical Therapy and strength training, perception influences output. If a sleeve or belt allows you to train with less...
Knee pain is a common issue for tennis players because the sport involves repetitive stopping, starting, and lateral movements that place heavy loads on the tendons and joints of the knee. One frequently seen condition in tennis athletes is patellar tendinopathy (often called “jumper’s knee”), which stems from chronic tendon overload during high-impact actions like...
By: Maggie Gebhardt, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT A less common source of knee pain and discomfort after knee surgery can be addressed with dry needling by a Physical Therapist. In this case, a patient who is post knee arthroscopy and progressing well can still having medial (inner) knee discomfort towards the end of their plan-of-care....
Knee arthritis (osteoarthritis) one of the leading causes of disability in our country. Affected individuals report significant levels of pain and loss of function including both daily and recreational activities. Although initially associated with older adults this condition can also occur in a significant percentage of younger adults. Thankfully most knee arthritis cases can be...
By: Ian Nay, PT, DPT, OCS If you’re struggling with knee pain—especially related to issues like patellar tendinopathy (jumper’s knee), patellofemoral pain syndrome, or general weakness around the joint—the Spanish Squat might be a game-changer for your rehab routine. Unlike traditional squats, the Spanish Squat uses a resistance band looped behind the knees and anchored...
Are you a runner with knee pain? Or a CrossFit athlete who has knee pain with squatting or box jumps? Does your MRI show decreased thickness of the cartilage in your patella (kneecap) or femur/tibia?. These are very common conditions that we treat at MEND. There is extensive evidence in the research that shows that...
By: Erica Tran, PT, DPT, OCS Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS), often referred to as “runner’s knee,” can be a frustrating and limiting condition for CrossFit enthusiasts. This common knee pain, caused by issues with the alignment or function of the kneecap, can flare up during squats, box jumps, running or even step ups. But the...
In our Boulder Physical Therapy and Lafayette Physical Therapy Clinics we are focused on identifying both the pain generator and the reasons why it is symptomatic. These may or may not occur in the same joint or structure. In many cases, the underlying reason we have pain may be driven from an adjacent body structure...
Previous research has shown exercise has a protective effect on knee cartilage and the development of osteoarthritis. Cartilage is a metabolic tissue dependent on loading and movement to improve its’ tissue health. Authors have found both sedentary individuals and high frequency marathon runners to be at an increased risk of osteoarthritis, but importantly active individuals...
Research continues to be published highlighting the importance of exercise for the treatment and prevention of knee arthritis. Our previous blogs have described active participants in weekly exercise have a lower risk of knee arthritis compared to their sedentary peers. This latter group has the greatest risk of symptomatic knee arthritis due in part to...