Physical therapy, or rehabilitation, is usually effective for “runner’s knee” or “jumper’s knee.” Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation (RICE) and over-the-counter pain medicines can also help.
Sometimes, minimally-invasive knee arthroscopy to remove damaged cartilage is necessary. If you have surgery, you’ll do physical therapy afterwards.
Physical Therapy for “Runner’s Knee” or “Jumper’s Knee”
At Shelbourne Knee Center, physical therapy focuses on improving your range of motion: the ability to extend and bend your knee. Once your range of motion is good enough, physical therapy focuses on strengthening your knee. Physical therapy may also address any muscle imbalances that may be contributing to your pain.
Each patient has a personal physical therapist or athletic trainer, who guides you in doing the therapy. You’ll complete most of the physical therapy at home, with periodic visits to Shelbourne Knee Center.
If you do need surgery, the physical therapy helps ensure a better result and a faster recovery.
Surgery for “Runner’s Knee” or “Jumper’s Knee”
Our orthopedic surgeons l use minimally-invasive arthroscopy to remove damaged cartilage from your knee,.
Arthroscopy lets orthopedic surgeons see inside the knee without making a large cut (incision) in the knee. The surgeon operates through a few small incisions—each about the size of a buttonhole.
A tiny camera inserted through one incision shows the inside of the knee on a high-definition video monitor. The orthopedic surgeon looks at the inside of the knee and does the procedure using tiny instruments inserted into the other incisions.
Other Treatments for “Runner’s Knee” or “Jumper’s Knee”
Sometimes knee pain from “runner’s knee” or “jumper’s knee” will go away or lessen if you stop doing the activities that make your knee hurt.
RICE
Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation (RICE) and over-the-counter pain medicines can also help.
RICE helps reduce pain and swelling:
- Rest: Take a break from tough physical activity Reduce or stop using the injured leg. Don’t stand on it.
- Ice: Use ice for the first few days after the injury. Use ice for about 20 minutes a day from about 4 times a day to every hour.
- Compression: Wear an elastic bandages on your knee.
- Elevation: Elevate the injured knee so it’s higher than your heart. Lay down and use a pillow under your knee to help elevate it.
Pain medicines
Over-the-counter pain medicines relieve knee pain and swelling. Pain medicines include:
- Aspirin
- Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, or others)
- Naproxen (Aleve or others).
Physical Therapy After Surgery
If you have surgery, you’ll do physical therapy afterwards. This will help you:
- Control swelling
- Regain full straightening of your knee (extension)
- Regain full bending of your knee (flexion)
- Return to full knee strength.
You’ll do most of your exercises at home, but will come back to the office for some physical therapy visits. You’ll continue to work with your personal physical therapist or athletic trainer.