Jill Nader • Jun 13, 2024

Runner with Knee Pain

Situation:
Patient is a 40 year old female runner with chronic knee pain diagnosed as “IT band friction” syndrome. For years, she would have pain on the outside of her knee during and after running. She underwent physical therapy which mainly treated her knee joint with modalities and quadriceps strengthening and IT band stretching. When she was referred to me, she had already undergone an arthroscopic surgery which revealed no internal problems with her knee. She was still having a lot of pain and significant swelling after the surgery.


Action:
The patient’s overall posture and pelvic alignment were evaluated and treated first. It was found that she had a rotation of the pelvis that was affecting her lower body mechanics. After treating that with manual therapy, a thorough analysis of her gait was performed. She was then given home exercises to strengthen muscles around her hips and spine to support her in a better body alignment. In the clinic we progressed with a Pilates-based rehab exercise program to improve lower body alignment and core stability and simulate her mechanics needed for running.


Results:
The patient recovered very well and was able to return to running without knee pain. She continues her post rehab work with regular Pilates classes for fitness and injury prevention.

Runner with Knee Pain

by Jill Nader • 13 Jun, 2024
Situation : Patient is a 40 year old female runner with chronic knee pain diagnosed as “IT band friction” syndrome. For years, she would have pain on the outside of her knee during and after running. She underwent physical therapy which mainly treated her knee joint with modalities and quadriceps strengthening and IT band stretching. When she was referred to me, she had already undergone an arthroscopic surgery which revealed no internal problems with her knee. She was still having a lot of pain and significant swelling after the surgery. Action : The patient’s overall posture and pelvic alignment were evaluated and treated first. It was found that she had a rotation of the pelvis that was affecting her lower body mechanics. After treating that with manual therapy, a thorough analysis of her gait was performed. She was then given home exercises to strengthen muscles around her hips and spine to support her in a better body alignment. In the clinic we progressed with a Pilates-based rehab exercise program to improve lower body alignment and core stability and simulate her mechanics needed for running. Results : The patient recovered very well and was able to return to running without knee pain. She continues her post rehab work with regular Pilates classes for fitness and injury prevention.

NFL Player with Chronic Foot/Ankle Pain

by Jill Nader • 13 Jun, 2024
Situation : A 28-year-old professional football player with a 10-year history of chronic ankle and knee pain presents with a three-month history of Achilles tendonitis. He has had no relief with conservative treatments in the training room, so the trainer referred him to me to evaluate and treat with physical therapy. Outside of this acute problem, he had constant daily pain that he just worked through and severe pain after his games for several days. Upon subjective history, it was revealed the patient had suffered a fracture of the first toe in college that was treated with only immobilization. He then suffered recurrent lateral ankle sprains and medial knee pain. His Achilles presented as extremely tender to touch and he had lost good dorsal glide of his talus so his ankle motion was very restricted. He also had severe over pronation of both feet and internally rotated hips. He also had several arthroscopic procedures to clean up the ankle joint over the years. Action : A series of joint mobilizations to the ankle joint to restore ankle motion were performed as well as myofascial release to the calf muscles to relieve tension off the Achilles tendon. We also addressed improving his hip strength and flexibility. He started a Pilates program to work on proper alignment of his foot and ankle as well as flexibility of his calf muscles. We progressed to more advanced work on the Pilates equipment to simulate actions he would perform for football. Results : The patient was able to recover and return to full football activities. He no longer had the chronic pain issues in his foot, ankle and knees. He maintained a regular Pilates program on his own and had a very successful season the next season. He was able to play a few years longer than anticipated because he was able to stay healthy.
Share by: