Knee Pain: Symptoms and Rehabilitation Options - Rehabilitation

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Knee pain can be a complex issue, especially for older adults, and it can stem from various causes including arthritis, ligament injuries, meniscus tears, or even tendinitis. Given your mother's symptoms, it seems she is experiencing significant discomfort around the knee joint, particularly when transitioning from sitting to standing or during movements that require bending the knee, such as turning.


Symptoms and Possible Causes
1. Pain on Movement: The fact that your mother needs to use her hands to support herself when getting up from a chair suggests that she may be experiencing weakness in the muscles surrounding the knee or significant pain that limits her mobility. This is often seen in conditions like osteoarthritis, where the cartilage in the knee joint deteriorates, leading to pain and stiffness.

2. Difficulty with Bending: The mention of needing to turn at a 90-degree angle indicates that she may have limited range of motion in her knee. This could be due to swelling, pain, or structural issues within the knee joint itself.

3. Potential Conditions: Common conditions that could cause these symptoms include:
- Osteoarthritis: Degeneration of cartilage leading to pain and stiffness.

- Meniscus Tear: Damage to the cartilage that cushions the knee joint, often causing pain during twisting movements.

- Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome: Pain around the kneecap, often exacerbated by activities that involve bending the knee.

- Tendinitis: Inflammation of the tendons around the knee, which can cause pain during movement.


Rehabilitation Options
Rehabilitation for knee pain typically involves a combination of physical therapy, exercise, and sometimes medication. Here are some options that may be beneficial for your mother:
1. Physical Therapy: A physical therapist can assess her condition and develop a tailored rehabilitation program. This may include:
- Strengthening Exercises: Focused on the quadriceps, hamstrings, and calf muscles to provide better support to the knee joint.

- Range of Motion Exercises: Gentle stretching and mobility exercises to improve flexibility and reduce stiffness.

- Balance Training: To enhance stability and prevent falls, which is crucial for older adults.

2. Pain Management: Depending on the severity of her pain, over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or NSAIDs (if she is not allergic) may help alleviate discomfort. Ice therapy can also be beneficial to reduce swelling and pain.

3. Activity Modification: Encourage her to avoid activities that exacerbate her pain, such as deep squats or high-impact exercises. Instead, low-impact activities like swimming or cycling can be easier on the joints.

4. Assistive Devices: If necessary, using a cane or walker can help her maintain mobility while reducing strain on the knee.

5. Weight Management: If applicable, maintaining a healthy weight can significantly reduce stress on the knee joints, which is particularly important in conditions like osteoarthritis.


When to Seek Further Evaluation
If her symptoms persist or worsen despite these interventions, it may be necessary to consult an orthopedic specialist. They can perform imaging studies, such as X-rays or MRIs, to determine if there are any structural issues that need to be addressed, such as a meniscus tear or significant cartilage loss.

In summary, your mother's knee pain could be due to a variety of factors, and rehabilitation is certainly a viable option. A comprehensive approach involving physical therapy, pain management, and lifestyle modifications can help improve her symptoms and enhance her quality of life. It’s essential to monitor her condition and seek further medical advice if her symptoms do not improve.