If you’re experiencing severe knee pain, stiffness, or instability, soft tissue injury could be the cause. Below, we’ll take a closer look at the symptoms that characterize this type of knee pain, and how to know when it’s important to seek physical therapy for a knee injury.
Soft tissue injuries of the knee are most often caused by a sudden movement or direct blow that strains the knee beyond its normal range of movement. It can impact all kinds of athletes. Knee pain results when the soft tissue structures that stabilize the knee — ligaments, muscles, tendons, and menisci — are strained or torn.
How do you know if the pain in your knee is a soft tissue injury? Your physical therapist will evaluate your symptoms and medical history to determine the nature and severity of your soft tissue injury. Knee pain, along with the following symptoms, are most common:
After you receive a diagnosis of soft tissue injury, knee-strengthening exercises, stretches, and low-impact cardio may be prescribed by your physical therapist. Physical therapy for knee injuries typically involves a combination of all three, customized to fit the severity of your injury and your fitness level.
If soft tissue injury knee pain is disrupting your quality of life, a physical therapy clinician can create a custom knee pain treatment plan to reduce knee pain and restore your strength, balance, and flexibility. Contact IMPACT Physical Therapy to request an appointment with a knee specialist in the Chicago area.
