injuries and poisoning
Pain in the Front of the Knee
Treatment of Knee Pain
Rest Rehabilitation Running is avoided until it can be done without pain. Ice applied to the affected area, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and temporary use of a knee sleeve or elastic support also help. Other exercises, such as riding an exercise bike (with high seat position, low repetition, and low resistance) or swimming, can be done to protect the knee and maintain physical fitness during recovery. Exercises to strengthen and balance the muscles in the back (hamstrings) and front (quadriceps) of the thigh are helpful. In runner’s knee, stretching before exercise seems to help balance the abnormal forces caused by tight muscles and reduce injury. A shoe insert can help correct excessive pronation. 1. Lie on stomach. 2. Bend involved knee and loop towel around the ankle. 3. Gently pull towel to stretch muscle on front of thigh pulling ankle toward buttocks. 4. Hold stretch for 30 seconds. 5. Do 1 set of 4 repetitions, 3 times a day. 6. Repeat on the other leg. 7. Special instructions a. For added stretch, place a towel roll under and just above the knee to place the hip in slight extension. Courtesy of Tomah Memorial Hospital, Department of Physical Therapy, Tomah, WI; Elizabeth C.K. Bender, MSPT, ATC, CSCS; and Whitney Gnewikow, DPT, ATC. 1. Lie on back, flex the hip and knee of the involved leg, hold behind the knee, and pull it gently toward the chest. 2. Gently extend the knee to straighten the leg. 3. Hold stretch for 30 seconds. 4. Do 1 set of 4 repetitions, 3 times a day. 5. Repeat on the other leg. Courtesy of Tomah Memorial Hospital, Department of Physical Therapy, Tomah, WI; Elizabeth C.K. Bender, MSPT, ATC, CSCS; and Whitney Gnewikow, DPT, ATC. 1. Sit with involved leg extended. 2. Contract quadriceps muscle on the front of the leg to push back of knee down to the floor/table. 3. Hold exercise for 10 seconds. 4. Do 1 set of 10 repetitions, every hour. 5. Special instructions a. Do not hold your breath during the exercise. Courtesy of Tomah Memorial Hospital, Department of Physical Therapy, Tomah, WI; Elizabeth C.K. Bender, MSPT, ATC, CSCS; and Whitney Gnewikow, DPT, ATC. 1. Lie on back with uninvolved knee bent so foot is on the floor/table. 2. Keep involved leg straight and raise foot to thigh level of uninvolved leg. 3. Return to starting position slowly. 4. Do 3 sets of 10 repetitions, 1 time a day. Courtesy of Tomah Memorial Hospital, Department of Physical Therapy, Tomah, WI; Elizabeth C.K. Bender, MSPT, ATC, CSCS; and Whitney Gnewikow, DPT, ATC. 1. Lie on involved side. 2. Keep shoulders and hips in line with ankles slightly behind the body with the knees bent approximately 90°. 3. Keep feet together while lifting top knee up toward the ceiling. 4. Lower and repeat. 5. Repeat exercise lying on the uninvolved side. 6. Do 3 sets of 10 repetitions, 3 times a day. 7. Special instructions a. For added resistance, place a band around the knees, start with the least resistance. Courtesy of Tomah Memorial Hospital, Department of Physical Therapy, Tomah, WI; Elizabeth C.K. Bender, MSPT, ATC, CSCS; and Whitney Gnewikow, DPT, ATC. 1. Stand with feet about hip width apart. 2. Toes should point forward to stay aligned with the knees. 3. Keeping core tight, move buttocks backward, similar to beginning to sit in a chair, and squat down until the thighs are almost parallel with the floor. 4. Return to start position and repeat. 5. Do 3 sets of 10 repetitions, 1 time every other day. 6. Special instructions a. Keep your weight on outside of foot and heels. b. Start with a partial squat and increase as you become familiar with the movement. c. Add weight only as tolerated. Start with 1 to 2 pounds (0.5 to 1 kg [for example a soup can]) held in each hand. Courtesy of Tomah Memorial Hospital, Department of Physical Therapy, Tomah, WI; Elizabeth C.K. Bender, MSPT, ATC, CSCS; and Whitney Gnewikow, DPT, ATC. 1. Stand about a foot away from the wall with the involved leg closest to the wall. 2. Place the uninvolved leg in front of the involved leg. 3. Keep the involved knee straight. 4. Lean trunk away from the wall so the hip on the involved side goes toward the wall. 5. Be sure not to lean forward at the waist. 6. Hold stretch for 30 seconds. 7. Do 1 set of 4 repetitions, 3 times a day. Courtesy of Tomah Memorial Hospital, Department of Physical Therapy, Tomah, WI; Elizabeth C.K. Bender, MSPT, ATC, CSCS; and Whitney Gnewikow, DPT, ATC. 