Knee cartilage damage doesn’t always require surgery, physiotherapy offers a safe and effective way to restore function and reduce pain. Through targeted strength work, mobility training and gait correction, physios help reduce joint load and improve cartilage health. This is especially helpful for those with osteoarthritis, with studies showing physical therapy can delay or avoid surgery altogether by improving daily knee function and reducing stiffness.
Knee cartilage damage can cause significant pain and discomfort and is more commonly found in highly active or elderly populations, but surgery isn’t always the only solution to resolve these types of injuries. Physical therapy and rehabilitation can play a crucial role in repairing knee cartilage and improving function without the need for invasive procedures. Here we will explore how physical therapy can help restore knee health and what you can expect from a rehabilitation program.
What is Knee Cartilage?
Knee cartilage works like a cushion between the bones in the knee joint. It helps reduce friction and absorbs shock during any movement and can become damaged due to injury, wear and tear, or conditions like osteoarthritis leading to symptoms like pain, stiffness, and decreased mobility.
Your cartilage can’t really heal on its own so using physical therapy treatments can be a good way to help manage symptoms and even encourage repair through strengthening and mobilization exercises.
How does Physical Therapy Help?
Physical therapy works to improve strength, flexibility, and stability in the knee joint. This can help to reduce pressure on the injured joint and relieve pain. When done correctly, physical therapy can also help restore movement and prevent further injury.
1. Strengthening the Muscles Around the Knee:
One of the many benefits of physical therapy is strengthening the muscles that support the knee joint. These muscles, including the quadriceps, hamstrings, and calf muscles all of which help to take some of the load off the knee cartilage. When the muscles are weak, more stress is placed on the cartilage, accelerating wear and causing further pain.
Your Physical Therapist can help to design a strength training program for your hips and legs. These exercises help stabilize the knee joint and improve overall function. A 2012 study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that patients with knee osteoarthritis who participated in a structured physical therapy program experienced significant reductions in pain and improvements in knee function (1).
2. Improving Joint Mobility:
Knee stiffness can often be caused by cartilage damage, limiting range of motion and causing discomfort. Physical therapy programs should also include exercises aimed at improving flexibility and mobility in the knee joint. Exercises such as stretching exercises for the hamstrings and calf muscles can increase flexibility and ease the tension around the knee. This helps to make movement easier and reduce discomfort during everyday activities important for walking, climbing stairs, and other daily tasks.
3. Correcting Movement Patterns:
Over time, individuals with knee pain can start to overcompensate to avoid putting pressure on the painful area which can lead to complications like muscle imbalances and strain on other parts of the body. A proper physical therapy assessment can help identify and correct these abnormal movement patterns. A therapist will assess your walking and standing posture and guide you in performing exercises that promote better alignment and mechanics.
Therapist may focus on how you walk or squat, teaching you to maintain proper posture and alignment. This can prevent additional wear on the knee and other joints, improving your overall functional capacity.
How can a Physical Therapist help to manage Osteoarthritis?
Physical therapy is one of the most effective non-surgical interventions for osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition where the cartilage in the knee joint wears down which causes pain and stiffness. In a lot of cases, physical therapy can delay the need for surgery and significantly improve quality of life.
A study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that people who used a physical therapy program reported reduced pain and better function compared to those who didn’t (2).
Furthermore, physical therapy can help improve joint health and reduce inflammation, both of which are important to slow the progression of osteoarthritis and maintaining mobility.
What to Expect from Physical Therapy:
If you decide to undergo physical therapy for knee cartilage repair, here’s what you can expect during your rehabilitation process:
- Assessment and Diagnosis: The first step is usually an assessment where the physical therapist will evaluate your knee’s range of motion, strength, and flexibility. They will also inquire about your symptoms and goals for treatment.
- Personalised Exercise Program: Based on your assessment, the therapist will design a program tailored to your specific needs. This may include strengthening exercises, stretching routines, and functional movements.
- Regress or progress your exercise plan: Throughout your rehabilitation your therapist may regress or progress the exercises depending on your own feedback and their own clinical experience.
- Pain Management: Physical therapists can also suggest strategies like ice, heat, or laser therapy to manage pain and inflammation. These treatments complement exercise and can provide additional relief.
Conclusion:
Repairing knee cartilage without surgery is not only possible but often highly effective, especially when physical therapy is used. By using injury-specific exercises that strengthen the muscles around the knee, improve flexibility, and correct movement patterns, you can reduce pain and improve function of the knee joint.
When suffering from knee cartilage damage or knee pain, it’s worth considering physical therapy as a treatment option.
George Block
BSc Sports Rehabilitation
References:
- Hochberg MC, Altman RD, April KT, et al. Osteoarthritis of the knee. Br J Sports Med. 2012;46(6):446-448. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2012-091974.
- Bierma-Zeinstra SM, Van Middelkoop M, Cramer J, et al. The Effectiveness of Physical Therapy for Osteoarthritis of the Knee. JAMA. 2016;315(11):1187-1195. doi:10.1001/jama.2016.1554.