How is Knee Pain Diagnosed?

Most people have felt knee pain. Whether if it is because of arthritis, too much foot pronation or over usage of muscles that safeguard the knee, our knees takes a beating.

How is Knee Pain Diagnosed?

Your Denver physical therapist can assess and diagnose your problem based on your medical history, symptoms, and complete examination. MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and X-ray results can also be used in completing the diagnosis.How Knee Pain is Diagnosed

To aid in the diagnosis of your condition, you may be asked the following questions by your physical therapist:

  • Where precisely on your knee is the pain?
  • Did you twist your knee?
  • Have you felt a “tearing” sensation during the injury?
  • Is there swelling?
  • Do your feel like your knee joint is “catching,” or “locking,” or will give way?
  • Are you having trouble walking up and down stairs?
  • Are you having trouble sitting with your knee bent for extended period, as on an airplane or when at the movies?
  • Does the pain intensify whenever you bend or straighten your knee?
  • Do you feel pain when you twist or turn your knees quickly?

The physical therapist will also do some tests to determine if you have the following:

  • Discomfort or pain when bending or straightening your knee
  • Tenderness at the knee joint
  • Restricted knee movement
  • Weakness in the muscles around your knee
  • Difficulty placing weight on your knee when you stand or walk

Physical therapists are also apprehensive about how well you will be able to use your knees on a daily basis. To evaluate this, the physical therapists may use tests like a 6-minute walk test, a timed up and go test or a single-limb hop test.

How to Choose a Physical Therapist for Knee Pain

Though all physical therapists have the right knowledge and experience to treat people experiencing knee pain, always look for the following:

  • A physical therapist that has the knowledge in the treatment of orthopedic or musculoskeletal conditions.
  • A physical therapist that is a board-certified clinical specialist and has finished an internship in an orthopedic physical therapy. This provides the therapists with advanced understanding, knowledge and abilities that may help with your problem.

If you need a physical therapist for knee pain, contact Denver Physical Medicine today! Call 303-757-7280.