What to Do If You Can’t Bend Your Knee Without Pain

What to do if you can’t bend your knee without pain

The knees are the largest joints in the body and bear a heavy, heavy load. This makes knee injuries extremely common. In addition to pain that occurs when the knee is stationary, many people with knee injuries report being unable to bend their knee without feeling pain. If this type of pain lasts for more than a few days to a week, you should seek assistance from a qualified medical professional. 

For nearly any type of knee pain, physical therapy is a great form of treatment that can take a natural and functional approach to relieving pain and improving mobility. If you’re looking to overcome knee injuries including runner’s knee and ACL or MCL sprains, or even age-related conditions like arthritis, a physical therapist can help. 

Working with a physical therapist to improve knee mobility and relieve pain

The first step when you meet with a therapist is to undergo an assessment to establish a baseline for treatment. This will typically include the following steps: 

  • A review of your health history, including any relevant diagnostic imagery
  • Questions and answers about your symptoms and how they’re affecting daily activities
  • Discussion about your treatment goals 
  • Hands-on physical examination to identify painful areas 
  • Movement, stability and posture tests to assess knee function and biomechanics

With this information, your physical therapist can work with you to develop a customized treatment plan consisting of manual therapies, movement training, therapeutic exercises and other interventions. By increasing muscle strength, stretching and mobilizing soft tissue, fixing biomechanical issues and improving posture, patients can find themselves with less pain and increased range of motion in the knee. 

Start your treatment journey at SOL Physical Therapy + Performance today

At SOL, our biomechanical experts understand the primary causes of knee pain and how to isolate it and treat it in patients. Since no two cases of knee pain are exactly the same, we take an individualized and collaborative approach to treatment that is built on respect, communication and one-on-one care. 

If you’re ready to overcome knee pain and get back to the people and activities you love, contact us today and schedule your initial appointment with one of our representatives.

About the author

Sports + Orthopedic Leaders Physical Therapy & Performance Training serves the communities of Oakland, Alameda, Berkeley, Walnut Creek, Orinda, San Francisco and beyond. SOLPT’s award winning team of Physical Therapists, Performance Coaches and movement experts has helped thousands reach their rehabilitation and performance goals to move beyond pain. We're committed to helping anyone of any fitness level move effectively and more powerfully for a lifetime. We offer rehabilitation and performance services to all populations, with specialties in Sports Rehabilitation, Active Release Techniques, and Manual Therapy Techniques plus Personal and Small Group Training, Sport Clinics and Wellness Services.

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