Your knee is a complex hinge joint where your thighbone meets the shinbone. The patella, or kneecap, sits in the front of your knee joint, offering it crucial protection. Inside, cartilage provides a smooth surface for the bones to glide over, while ligaments offer stability. Powerful muscles, connected by tendons, help facilitate movement. 

Sometimes this intricate system can malfunction, causing pain, especially when the knee is bent. Knee pain can strike people of all ages and abilities. Despite being a common, troublesome occurrence, knee pain can be treated and managed in a variety of ways, including physical therapy.

Common causes of knee pain when bending

Several factors can contribute to your pain when your knee is bent. Understanding the underlying issue can help you manage and potentially prevent the issue. Common culprits behind knee pain are:

• Overuse injuries — Repetitive activities like running, jumping or kneeling can put extra stress on your knees, causing inflammation and pain. Conditions like patellar tendinitis, where the tendon that connects the kneecap to the shinbone becomes inflamed, are common.

• Growth-related issues — During growth spurts, bones and muscles may grow at different rates. This difference can cause temporary knee pain, which is also known as growing pains.

• Ligament sprains — Sudden twisting or bending can cause injury to the ligaments, the tough bands that connect bones. Ligament sprains can cause pain, swelling and instability.

• Bursitis — Bursitis is a condition caused by inflammation of the bursae, small, fluid-filled sacs that cushion joints like the knee. When the bursa becomes inflamed, it can cause pain, swelling and tenderness.

• Arthritis — Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that can affect people of all ages, causing stiffness, swelling and pain. As arthritis progresses, it can become increasingly painful and difficult to bend the knee.

• Meniscus tears — The meniscus is a C-shaped cartilage that acts as a shock absorber in the knee joint. It can tear due to sudden twisting or bending. A meniscus tear can cause pain, stiffness and locking of the knee. 

Treatment options for knee pain when bending it

If you’re experiencing knee pain when your knee is bent, you’ll want to find relief so you can get back to your normal activities. There are steps you can take to help manage the pain and regain control of your knee. However, it’s also important to have your knee checked out by a health care provider. They can diagnose the underlying issue and recommend the best treatment based on your specific needs and concerns. Treatments that can help pain when your knee is bent can include:

• PRICE method — The PRICE method can help you manage your knee pain by protecting, resting, icing, compressing and elevating your knee to provide pain relief and ease inflammation.

• Medication — Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be beneficial in managing knee pain and inflammation. However, it’s crucial to follow dosage instructions carefully.

• Physical therapy — Physical therapy can play a beneficial role in reducing your pain when your knee is bent. Your physical therapist will create a personalized treatment program intended to help you achieve your recovery goals.

• Assistive devices — A knee brace can help provide extra support and stability during activities. A cane or walker can help reduce weight-bearing stress on the affected knee, especially if your pain is due to arthritis or joint degeneration.

• Corticosteroids — In some cases, your doctor may recommend corticosteroid injections directly into the knee joint. These injections can provide short-term relief from pain and inflammation.

• Surgery — In severe cases, surgery may be considered as a last resort when conservative measures haven’t been adequately effective. Meniscus tears or cartilage damage can be addressed by arthroscopic surgery. Partial or total knee replacements may be necessary if the joint damage is extensive. The damaged joint surfaces are replaced with artificial implants during these replacement surgeries. 

Physical therapy for your knee hurting when it’s bent

Physical therapy can be the foundation of knee pain treatment. Physical therapists are experts in helping people move better and manage their pain. They use various techniques that are intended to help strengthen the muscles around your knee, improve flexibility and reduce pain. Techniques that may be used in your personalized treatment plan include:

• Manual therapy — Your physical therapist will use their hands to manipulate your knee joint, applying gentle pressure and movement to help improve mobility, reduce stiffness and relieve pain. This may involve manual therapy techniques like joint mobilization, where your physical therapist moves your knee joint within its pain-free range of motion, or soft tissue mobilization, where they manipulate and stretch the muscles and connective tissue around your knee.

• Myofascial release — Myofascial release is a technique that involves your physical therapist applying gentle pressure to tight muscles and fascia (connective tissue) to help release tension, improve flexibility and reduce pain. Your physical therapist may use their hands or specialized tools to apply this pressure.

• Graston Technique® — The Graston Technique involves your physical therapist using specialized stainless steel instruments designed to help break down scar tissue and adhesions, improve blood flow and reduce pain. Your physical therapist will use these instruments to apply pressure and friction to the affected area. 

• Dry needling — Dry needling is a technique that should only be used by a certified practitioner. Certified physical therapists will manually insert thin, sterile needles into trigger points, or tight muscle knots, to help release muscle tension and reduce pain. Your physical therapist will use these needles to help stimulate these points.

• Aquatic therapy — Exercising in water helps reduce weight-bearing stress on your knee while improving range of motion, flexibility and muscle strength. Your physical therapist will guide you through specific exercises designed and chosen to help improve knee function in the water.

• Therapeutic exercises — Your physical therapist may prescribe specific exercises to help strengthen the muscles around your knee, improve flexibility and improve your overall knee function. These exercises may include resistance bands, body weight exercises or exercises using gym equipment. You may be asked to do these exercises during your sessions and at home to boost the effectiveness of other physical therapy techniques.

• Electrical stimulation — Electrical stimulation is a technique that involves using a device to deliver small electrical currents to your knee through electrodes. These electrical currents can help stimulate muscle contractions, reduce pain and promote healing. Your physical therapist will attach these electrodes around your knee and adjust the settings as needed. 

Your physical therapist will create a personalized treatment plan tailored to meet your specific needs and goals. Following your program as prescribed is essential to achieving optimal results. Your physical therapist may make adjustments as needed based on your recovery progress. 

Understanding the importance of prevention

Preventing knee pain can involve a combination of factors, including:

• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Wearing appropriate footwear
• Using proper form during physical activities

Strengthening the muscles around your knee through regular exercise is also essential for supporting the joint. 

Remember, if you are experiencing persistent knee pain, it’s important to seek help from a health care provider. Early intervention may be able to prevent the condition from worsening and facilitate a quicker recovery. With proper care and attention, you can overcome your knee issues and enjoy an active lifestyle. 

Let Rehab Access Physical Therapy be your partner on your path to finding knee pain relief

Understanding the potential causes and available treatments is your first step toward recovery. At Rehab Access Physical Therapy, our expert physical therapists will work diligently with you to determine the underlying issue behind your knee pain and develop a comprehensive care plan to help you regain strength, flexibility and mobility. You don’t have to let your knee pain keep holding you back. We can help you start your journey to overcoming knee pain today. 

Call us or request an appointment today to ask about our physical therapy techniques that can help address pain when your knee is bent.