PT Specialties: Is Arthritis In Your Knee Holding You Back?

PT Specialties: Is Arthritis In Your Knee Holding You Back?

Health & Fitness The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body

IS ARTHRITIS IN YOUR KNEE HOLDING YOU BACK?

Kick Your Knee Pain to the Curb and Start Living Again!

Health & Fitness The Newsletter About Your Health And Caring For Your Body

IS ARTHRITIS IN YOUR KNEE HOLDING YOU BACK?

Have you started to notice that your knees seem to be stiff and sore? Do you notice popping, clicking, or grinding sounds with squatting or climbing stairs? Are you experiencing pain that is worse in the morning but disappears throughout the day? You could be living with arthritis. At Physical Therapy Specialties our physical therapist, you can find solutions to your arthritic pain and get back to living the life you enjoy! Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis and is known to cause a gradual breakdown of cartilage in the joints. Over time, the condition will typically worsen, leading to inflammation, more pain, and loss of motion in the joints. While arthritis can be debilitating, there’s a lot that you can do to alleviate the pain and improve your function.

If you l ive with stiff, achy, or painful knees, contact Physical Therapy Specialties today to schedule a consultation. Our dedicated physical therapists will evaluate you, determine the areas of your dai ly l ife that are impacted, and create an individualized treatment plan for relieving the arthritic pains in your knee(s). If your hip or knee pain is limiting you from living the life you want, don’t hesitate to contact PT Specialties as soon as possible. We’ll help you get moving freely once again!

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Arthritis refers to any chronic condition that affects the cartilage of the joints. The main signs and symptoms include pain, inflammation, loss of motion, and impaired function. The Arthritis Foundation states that over 100 different types of arthritis exist. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis found in the knee. This type of arthritis leads to a gradual breakdown of cartilage in the joints. This can occur from age, injury, or repetitive use of the affected joint(s). When worn down, cartilage can no longer act as a cushion and shock absorber for the joints, resulting in bone-on-bone friction and painful inflammation. Although aging is one of the most significant risk factors for osteoarthritis, obesity is also a significant contributor to developing osteoarthritis. Obese patients carry extra weight that increases the pressure through the joint and adds to cartilage breakdown. Recent research suggests that unhealthy diets (i.e., processed foods, high sugar content, etc.) are associated with increased inflammation throughout the body. This inflammation increases the likelihood of experiencing knee pain than patients with healthy weight and diets and similar cartilage damage. Therearealsophysical risk factorsassociatedwith increasedkneeosteoarthritis, including: • Injury to the joint • Participation in certain occupational activities (i.e., repetitive movements like bending or prolonged positions like sitting/driving) • Participation in sports (i.e., contact sports) • Thigh flexor muscle weakness and knee osteoarthritis Common Symptoms of Knee Arthritis ARTHRITIS & YOUR KNEE What Type of Arthritis Affects the Knee Joint?

It can sometimes be challenging to determine if you are genuinely experiencing arthritic symptoms or if you simply have a joint that is irritated fromprolonged positions or from being overworked. The most common signs and symptoms of knee arthritis include:: • Pain in the affected joint, which may spread to surrounding soft tissue • Stiffness that leads to loss of motion • Inflammation including warmth/heat around the joint • Joint creaking and pain with movement (especially when weight bearing) • Abnormalities in gait (such as limping) • Weakness of the muscles surrounding the joint If you have been suffering and looking for relief, do not hesitate to contact us today before your condition worsens. How Physical Therapy Can Help Arthritis Regardless of the cause of arthritis, physical therapy plays a significant role in treating its symptoms. Physical therapy should always be the first treatment method before resorting to more aggressive procedures, such as surgery.

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Your knee treatments will consist of a thorough history to understand more about your typical daily schedule and the everyday demands on your body. We want to get an idea of your overall health status, including factors contributing to your condition. Physical therapy works by reducing the pain and restoring themotion in your joints. Treatments to improve strength, balance, and coordination have also been shown to help peoplemaintain their function. The healthier your knee joints and the stronger your muscles, the less wear-and-tear, thus reducing inflammation and pain. Your physical therapist will guide you through targeted, goal-specific exercises to reduce inflammation, provide greater support to the joints, and help your muscles regain their overall strength. Get Started Today! At Physical Therapy Specialties, we are dedicated to treating each arthritic case individually. Each patient will receive a personalized treatment plan based on their specific needs. Contact us today to get your knees started on the right path to health. Discover how you can move freely once again with the help of physical therapy!

CORRECTING KNEE PAIN FOR THE RUNNER

There are several knee injuries that can result from running. Some of the most common ones include: • Hamstring strain. Hamstring strains are common in athletes and can cause pain around the thigh or knee. Your hamstring is a group of three muscles that run along the back of your thigh and help in allowing you to bend your knee. One or more of these muscles can become strained, or even torn, through excessive use or injury. You can avoid hamstring tears by doing strengthening exercises of both the hamstrings and glutes, as they work together to bear weight. Stretching your hamstrings and quadriceps (the muscles at the front of the thigh) and doing warm-up exercises before a run will help in keeping them warm and loose, thus decreasing your risk of straining them. • Meniscus tear. A meniscus tear is one of the most common knee injuries. It occurs when the knee is twisted or rotated in a way that it shouldn’t be, especially when your full weight is put on it. Both knees

have two menisci, which are C-shaped pieces of cartilage that cushion your tibia and femur. When a meniscus is torn, the surrounding areas can become painful, swollen, or stiff. The movement in your knee may also be limited, making it difficult to bend or extend the knee. • Patellar tendinopathy. This injury specifically affects the tendon that connects your patella to your tibia. That tendon is known as the “patellar tendon.” The patellar tendon works together with your quadriceps to allow you to run, jump, and kick. However, when the tendon experiences excessive overuse, it can become torn and inflamed, resulting in patellar tendinopathy. Those with patellar tendinopathy typically experience pain between the patella and tibia. You may only notice the pain while running or working out at first, but over time it can become more frequent and severe, interfering with daily activities. You can prevent patellar tendinopathy by strengthening your thigh muscles and improving your running technique with the help of a physical therapist. • Iliotibial band syndrome. Iliotibial (IT) band syndrome occurs frequently in runners, since it is caused by an excessive repetitive bending of the knee. The IT band is made up of a thick clump of fibers that run from the outside of the thigh, down the knee, and to the top of the tibia. IT band syndrome occurs when the IT band becomes too tight, making it difficult to glide smoothly over the knee, and resulting in pain and swelling. IT band syndrome can be avoided by doing thorough stretches before a run, preventing the band from becoming too tight. If you are suffering from any of these conditions, don’t wait to find relief. Schedule an appointment with us at Physical Therapy Specialties, and we will help get you back on track to being the best runner you can be!

CALL TODAY TO SCHEDULE YOURAPPOINTMENT 925.417.8005

Patient Spotlights What our patients have to say! “I am thrilled to report that I am seeing significant improvements with my stability and stride. Jen is a true professional (as I’m sure all of your therapists are). Jen just happens to be someone that I feel a great connection with and a therapist that takes me from where I am today, without bias or judgment, and is providing the therapy that she deems has the greatest potential for my individual improvement. I’m actually quite shocked that I’ve been able to see the improvement that I’ve seen in this short amount of time. I am so very grateful for her guidance in my own personal healing journey and also appreciative of her approach. She and Kyle seem to work well together, and Kyle is also an awesome support and always willing and open to offer help. Thank you for providing such a valuable service in our community! Not to mention that I never would have known about your great facility if not for K. Lorenz. I love how everything works together like that! Gratitude to you and your staff.” - R.S.

Improve Your Health In Our WarmWater Therapy Pool!

I ncrease range of motion M ove freely P rotect joints R educe pain O btain cardio fitness V i tal ize muscle strength E nhance flexibility and balance

Pool Therapy and Water Classes Offered Daily. Schedule is on our website.

www.pt-specialties.com COME BACK TO PT Make an appointment today with one of our therapists and get back to the activities you enjoy — pain free! 925.417.8005 Has a New Pain Started? Have you experienced an injury?

Exercise Essentials Try these simple exercises to help keep you loose and pain-free... Share this with a friend or family member to help keep them healthy, too!

Helps with knee and hip pain

Helps with knee and hip pain

IT BAND-STRETCH — SIDELYING Start by lying on your side with your back near the edge of your bed or table. Your affected leg should be on top. Next, let the top leg lower behind you as you maintain an extended knee as shown. You should feel a gentle stretch along the side of your leg. Hold for 30 seconds.

HEEL RAISE Stand while holding a chair as shown. Slowly stand on your tip toes, lifting your heels as high as you can and hold the position. Then repeat to the starting position. Repeat 6-10 times throughout the day.

Always consult your physical therapist or physician before starting exercises you are unsure of doing.

Who do you know that needs our help?

Refer a Friend Do You Have Friends or Family Unable to Do The Following? 9 Move without pain 9 Bend and move freely

9 Balance confidently and securely 9 Sit for long periods comfortably 9 Walk for long distances 9 Live an active and healthy lifestyle

If you know someone suffering from aches and pains give the gift of health. Refer them to Physical Therapy Specialties today. Pass along this newsletter or have them call us directly for a Physical Therapy Consultation.

Call Today! 925.417.8005

CORRECTING KNEE PAIN FOR THE RUNNER Details Inside.

CALL TODAY! 925.417.8005 3908 Valley Ave., Suite B Pleasanton, CA 94566

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INSIDE: • Correcting Knee Pain For The Runner • Arthritis & Your Knee • Exercise Essentials • Patient Spotlights