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"It's not a quick fix." If a person gives physical therapy only a half-hearted try or abandons it after a short period of time, it likely won't help. "Physical therapy is quite effective in most cases, but the person really has to buy in," says Dr. It's important to note that physical therapy requires time and effort. Your physical therapist can also make sure your body is in proper alignment to prevent the structural problems that often underlie patellofemoral pain syndrome. Physical therapy may also focus on improving your core strength in your stomach, back, and hips, which can help take pressure off your knees. He or she may refer you to a physical therapist to build up the muscles in and around your knee and improve your range of motion, which can speed your recovery, says Dr. If the pain persists, you might want to see your doctor.
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How to treat it: If you're experiencing pain, try modifying your activities for a couple of weeks to see if your knee pain gets better. "Patellofemoral pain syndrome can arise for multiple reasons, including imbalances of strength and flexibility or simply wear and tear over time," says Dr. If the muscles around your hips are not as strong or stable as they should be, or if the muscles in the front and back of your legs are not flexible enough, this can also put strain on your knee. This might happen when you bend your knees, leading to irritation and pain. For example, if the muscles on one side of the knee are stronger or tighter than on the other side, the kneecap does not move properly in its channel, known as the trochlear groove. Structural issues in your legs and knees can also lead to this inflammation and pain.
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Or you might hear a popping or cracking noise in your knees when you move. In addition to a dull ache, you might also feel pain if you stand up after sitting still for a long period of time, a condition sometimes called movie-theater knee. The pain is caused by swelling and irritation to structures in this area, including the ligaments and tendons that help to hold your kneecap in place or the cartilage underneath your kneecap. "This is a blanket term for pain at the front of the knee, sometimes under or around the kneecap," says Dr. If you have dull, aching pain at the front of your knee that occurs when you climb stairs, bend down, or squat, it could be patellofemoral pain syndrome, sometimes referred to as runner's knee or jumper's knee. While there are numerous pain-inducing knee conditions, three seem to be the most common culprits in older women:īelow is a guide on how to recognize these conditions and how to treat them. Rebecca Breslow, a sports medicine doctor and an instructor in orthopedic surgery at Harvard Medical School, says many of the active older women and the female athletes she sees in her practice have knee pain. One study of women ages 50 and older, published in Arthritis & Rheumatism, found that nearly two-thirds had some type of knee pain during the 12-year study period.ĭr. Whether it's a sharp pain or a dull ache, knee pain is a common problem in women - particularly older women. Years of wear and tear can take a toll on your knees, but there are strategies to relieve pain.
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