Kinetic Health

Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS) is an overuse injury seen in runners, cyclists, soccer players, skiers, and weightlifters. ITBS is one of the most common causes of lateral knee pain. This condition often never completely resolves with conventional treatments, since most practitioners do not typically address all of the key structures involved in this injury.

Knee pain caused by a meniscus injury is very common, in fact it may be one of the most common forms of knee injury. About 850,000 surgical procedures on the meniscus are performed each year. The good news is that all meniscus injuries DO NOT require surgery!

In Part 2, we will discuss some key factors that must be considered when performing a physical examination, including the role played by imaging. We will also cover the initial phases of treatment after a meniscus injury has occurred.

The primary goal of non-surgical meniscus treatment is to reduce pain and improve function. If these goals are met, then often surgery may be avoided. This does not mean that nonsurgical options will heal a meniscus injury. Whether or not the meniscus heals will depend on several factors such as the location of the injury, the type of tear, the age of the patient, and other factors.

The popliteus muscle is often called "The Key of the Knee" because it is responsible for "unlocking" the knee when the leg is in an extended position. Besides this "unlocking" function the popliteus muscle also helps to perform several critical actions during the gait cycle.

Although OA is not a condition that reduces life span, it does have a significant effect on the quality of an individual’s life. Fortunately, manual therapy and exercise can make a significant difference in this condition by slowing its progression, reducing or eliminating pain, and improving overall function.

In part two of “Osteoarthritis of the Hip and Knee,” we will discuss using manual therapy techniques with video demonstrations showing both joint mobilization and soft tissue techniques that we use. We will also include video demonstrations showing common exercises that we prescribe to our patients with hip and knee OA.